The finger game

It's easy to be insensitive and overly emotional simultaneously when viewing events in retrospect. The Katrina disaster, the most pertinent example here, illustrates just how much the mass media centered the criticism of slow responses on the Bush Administration (the Feds) and not on the states themselves, the ones actually responsible for having disaster management plans. One of the critical elements of federalism is the sharing of governmental responsibility between the federal government and the state/local governments.

The Palm Beach Post ran an article today focusing on the fact that Louisiana and Mississippi didn't have any acceptable plans for dealing with huge disasters such as Katrina, and didn't want any, at that. Did this come up during the initial outbursts from Mayor C. Ray Nagin of New Orleans, when he berated the Feds and Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco for not doing any work?

Well, now some tough questions have surfaced against Nagin, naturally, after criticism has been focused by the media on the federal government. Robert E. Pierre in the The Washington Post today speaks of Nagin's apparent loss of control in New Orleans shortly before Katrina struck:

'"Should there have been a better plan to evacuate those without cars? Was his police force up to the task? Why weren't there supplies for the legions of people directed to the Superdome? Why were all those city buses left in low-lying areas? Why did so many of his officers leave their posts as the city descended into a chaos that left many residents afraid that either thugs or the elements would kill them?

On conservative talk radio, especially, Nagin has been characterized as an irrational and incompetent local official who lost control of his city, his police force and, ultimately, his senses when he publicly dressed down the president. Even some of his underlings think the critics may be right.

"He should have evacuated the place earlier," said one city firefighter, echoing a mostly whispered sentiment here as the collection of dead bodies begins in earnest. The firefighter asked not to be identified for fear of retribution.'

Of course, a view like "well, it was the officials in New Orleans' fault" for the mess is not going to be popular in the news. Obviously the federal response was less than adequate, but, we must remember that New Orleans could have evacuated, or at least had a plan to evacuate, those who could not leave the city. This is a basic part of managing a city, especially one the size and location of New Orleans.

On top of this, it's well known that New Orleans is a seedy, poverty-stricken and corrupt city almost to its core. This could not have been a positive influence for a city living literally on the edge of complete disaster. House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R) wisely noted that it's a valid question whether or not New Orleans should completely be rebuilt. Should the federal government reward crooked leaders and incompetent officials with billions of dollars in reconstruction money? It's still below sea-level, and many of the inhabitants have moved out. Indeed, according to one woman who was relocated to Houston, TX, she wanted to start anew, and was surprised at the opportunities available to her outside of the Big Easy.