Beyond Politics-Part II

DEFENSETECH.org is not a site a normally visit but I was directed over there by Low and Left to read Why Katrina Matters Now these guys on on the opposite end of the political spectrum from partisan leftwingers and they are not happy about the feds response to Katrina. Go read the entire thing but I'll give you a couple of snips.

"I thought the name of this web site was Defense Tech?" asks JD, echoing the e-mails of several folks who wrote in over the weekend. "Enough with your personal political views about Katrina. This is not the place for it."

With all respect, JD, I have to disagree. This isn't about politics. This is about all of our safety. Katrina, and the response to Katrina, has become a national security issue – maybe the biggest one the country has faced since 9/11. As the editor of a website devoted to the future of national security, I can't – and won't – avoid something so important. It wouldn't be right.

After the September 11th attacks, the Department of Homeland Security was put together with two major goals in mind: deter further terrorist strikes, and respond to disasters, both natural and man-made -- since the evacuation plans, medical responses, and the like are largely the same in either case.

Four years and countless billions of dollars later, we've seen a clumsy, ten-thumbed response from DHS. Ships and troops were delayed for days before they were ordered to the disaster zone. Tens of thousands were left stranded, without food or water or medical care, while relief agencies were turned away.

All this, after a disaster everyone knew was coming. Now, imagine what would have happened after a surprise attack. Al Qaeda operatives have to be wondering the same thing. It's as if we've hung a giant "kick me" sign around the nation's neck. No wonder Republicans from President Bush to Newt Gingrich to Joe Scarborough have all called the federal effort "not acceptable."

The "but they didn't ask for help" lie.

THERE'S MORE: With fingers pointing in so many directions, there's been some question about whether the Feds or the locals are in charge after a catastrophe. Here's what the U. S. Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan has to say about the DHS' role:

Response -- Lead, manage and coordinate the national response to acts of terrorism, natural disasters, or other emergencies.

Recovery -- Lead national, state, local and private sector efforts to restore services and rebuild communities after acts of terrorism, natural disasters, or other emergencies.

There are more details and I'm going to add this to my fact checking resources along with the KATRINA TIMELINE.

Also See Beyond Politics