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As Hurricane Katrina approached, who in the Bush Administration knew what, and when did they know it? Getting to the bottom of that question is a world-class exercise in frustration.
Take today's hearing of the Senate Homeland Security Committee: The Committee released documents showing that the White House situation room received a report at 1:47 a.m. the day Katrina hit, predicting that Katrina would likely lead to severe flooding and/or levee breaching. A couple days later, the president said no one anticipated that the levees could breach.
Another report released today showed that two days before Katrina hit FEMA predicted that Hurricane Katrina could be worse than Hurricane Pam. What was Hurricane Pam? It was an exercise conducted in July 2004 that analyzed in great detail what would happen if a theoretical Category 3 hurricane (Pam) hit New Orleans. The analysis of Pam predicted New Orleans would flood, a million people would be displaced and up to 60,000 could die. And two days before, FEMA said Katrina could be even worse?!
But at today's hearing, there was no one who could speak to what people in the White House or the upper reaches of FEMA knew. Senator Joe Lieberman said his staff has reached the conclusion that the Department of Homeland Security is "slow-walking" the investigation hoping that time will run out. Fortunately, the Committee is run by one of the most persistent chairmen in Congress -- Susan Collins of Maine, a Republican who appears determined to get to the bottom of it.
But she and Lieberman will need a lot of time, a lot of hearings, and a whole lot more cooperation than they are now getting from the administration if they ever hope to get an answer to the question: who knew what when?
Read more from Chip Reid, NBC's Gulf Coast recovery files
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THE PARTY LINE
Why New Orleans, MTA ,install all new equitment for a train does are no need it.When all millions for this proyect can use to rebuild houses,whose going to take the 13 miles of cooper from the old or existing line?
Washington Lucero NY NY (Sent Aug 15, 2006 1:35:56 PM)
Mr. Reid:
One question I would like a member of congress to answer is this. "Brownie testified under oath he was unaware of the situation in N.O until mid-week. However subsequent e-mails(cramping his dining schedule and the likes) indicate he WAS indeed aware! Why hasn't he been charged with contempt of congress for lying under oath? What happened to the 'Rule of Law" we heard about for 3 years under Clinton? Selective recall,guess....
Don Iodice
Woodbridge,NJ
donald iodice, woodbridge, nj (Sent Jan 28, 2006 11:46:40 AM)
We just have to face the facts the White House saw that the damage would mostly destroy poor areas and the smart thinkers and crooks that they are realized they could get prime property. Now thats the facts. After all those people lose their property and the impeachment is over we'll see the plan. At lease I got my answer as to why Bush waited five days to acknowledge people were in need of help. Why Connie Rice kept shopping for shoes while watching americans beg for help. It was the plan and yes it worked because we Americans let this Administration do what ever it wants even reducing our constitution and freedmons to just a piece of paper as President Bush said.
Jackie Rawlings Riverside California (Sent Jan 26, 2006 2:03:02 PM)
Through Brian Williams I have been following the tragedy left behind by Katrina. I thank you so very much for the tremendous effort you are doing in helping the rehabilitation of all the area afected by Katrina. Please, keep informing us. We need to know how other americans are suffering and how little help they are receiving. Please don't listening to those that claimed they are tired of listening to the same subject every day. We need to know, our government needs to know, so help can be provided to those we are still suffering so much. God bless you for the wonderful job you are doing every night. Maria
Maria Alvarez, Raleigh, N. C. (Sent Jan 25, 2006 10:29:51 PM)
How many times will it take for the American public to get the %&*# thrown in their face to realize that
... a government operated with a corrupt Congress, with incompetent state and local politicos , as well as, with a pseudo republic that creates it's exempt policies and baseless justifications, will distance itself from fault. Hopefully, there will be an honest face ( probably not a politician) in the bastion of human and civil rights that will proceed to obtain answers regarding the reckless response to Katrina.
mateo torres denver,colorado (Sent Jan 25, 2006 10:08:56 PM)
It is said that while Rome burned, Nero played the violin. While New Orleans was being flooded, Bush played the guitar. It is quite obvious that this man is a sophomore when it comes to aid and support. Personnally, I think that the man cares not for what he does but how the New Orleans rebuild will benefit the wealthy. Is it a surprise that all those manufactured homes did not make it to New Orleans in time as FEMA had promised? I am glad that I live in a blue state as if it hasn't looked obvious those in the red states are the ones being subjected to onerous conditions. Things like the hurricanes in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The fires in Oklahoma and Texas. And where is your president? In the movie, SPIES LIKE US, Bob Hope makes a cameo appearance and enters the tent of the fake doctors played by Dan Akroyd and Chevie Chase and remarks, "Doctors . . . Glad I am not sick!" Does the same sentiment hold true for blue staters who can exclaim, " Glad that I am not relying upon this president for help and succor because he does not provide it"!?
Dave Van Grun (Sent Jan 25, 2006 9:36:41 PM)
After 4+ months, does it matter who knew what when??? Wouldn't time be better spent figuring out how to allocate money and resources to help these citizens?
Donna Simpson Olyphant, PA (Sent Jan 25, 2006 7:22:14 PM)
I only have one question did the governor and mayor of New Oleans get updates on Katrina as well? Why is the federal goverment the only one held accountable for this misake? The mayor had I believe 1000 buses there that could have gotten some of those people out of there why did't he?
bernese thacker (Sent Jan 25, 2006 2:51:42 PM)
Are we surprised that the Bush White House and their cronies are simply unable (not to say unwilling) to tell the truth about ANYTHING??
Jim O'Connell Forestville NY (Sent Jan 24, 2006 3:38:30 PM)
The facts about Katrina thus far revealed indicate that the White House, not DHS or some Federal agency, was aware of Katrina's probable impact at a time when action could and should have been taken. Along with the Bush Administration being wrong regarding: Atomic weapons in Iraq; chemical weapons in Iraq; biological weapons in Iraq; yellowcake from Niger; aluminum tubes in Iraq being used for nuclear weapons; an Al Quaida presence in Iraq prior to our invasion; statements that we would be welcomed in Iraq by people throwing flowers, etc., etc., these incidents portray an incredible lack of competence, rivaled perhaps only by the ineptitude of the Grant and Harding Administrations.
Bruce Shulman, Silver Spring, Md. (Sent Jan 24, 2006 2:19:00 PM)
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