(no subject)

[heidi]

wonkette will break your heart with her transcript of the interview with Jefferson Parrish president Aaron Broussard.

Have a tissue handy.

I know my conlaw. I know the president can't be sued for decisions he makes, or doesn't make, in "doing" "his job" - same for lower-level officials. And we don't have a parliament so we can't do a vote of no confidence. And he's never going to ask for resignations from the schmucks "running" FEMA and Homeland Security. But criminal charges may be appropriate - negligent homicide certainly at a minimum covers the deaths of anyone who died because the head of FEMA didn't bother to read wire reports out of Louisiana last Monday. That's his damned job; why didn't he do it?

Comments

[shelaghc.livejournal.com]

Crooks and Liars and Overspun both have downloadable vids of that interview.

More than the heartbreaking interview, is the terrifying reality of that poor woman being told day after day help was coming that never came.

Wrongful death doesn't cover this in the most pitiful least.

[plaidphoenix.livejournal.com]

Oh my god. That's...that's...I'm actually speechless after reading that.

I'm tempted to...I don't even know what, that's just so disturbing.

[shelaghc.livejournal.com]

CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE AND KATRINA?

[schmoosey.livejournal.com]

As a life long resident of Jefferson Parish and I am so proud of my parish officials. I know they have worked hard during this week. Parish President Broussard is also the former mayor of my town and has always worked for the best for the people of the parish no matter they are from the east bank or west bank.

I was leaving town last sunday (almost didn't leave actually) and while we were stuck on the Causeway going towards the northshore one of the last major press conference came on WWL Radio. The President and Dr. Maestri were pleading with people to leave but understood that there would be ones who wouldn't. There are always people who stay, my mother for one stayed in her house during Hurricane Betsy and she lived in the part of the city that flooded because a levee breach back then.

I can't wait till I get home..not that I don't like Pensacola but it's not home. I'm on the lucky few who does have a home to go back too. But Orleans and the surrounding parishes will be back and they will be great. We will mourn the ones we lost and celebrate their lives. Hopefully their deaths won't be in vain and the world will learn lessons from what happened in New Orleans.

[sundancekid.livejournal.com]

Damn. I never cry at the news, and I cried at that.

[annearchy.livejournal.com]

These moron federal big-wigs are going to have a hard time explaining themselves. It's negligence, plain and simple, and considering the results of that negligence, they should be sued. Can we put them in prison for it? I'd like to hope so, but those mopes probably have some kind of immunity. BASTARDS.

And the Broussard transcript broke my heart :( I was just wondering about my mother's cousin. She's quite elderly, very frail (all stooped over) and lives in an assisted living facility within spitting distance of Lake Pontchartrain. I sure hope those folks were evacuated on Sunday. I have no idea where she is :(

[slytherincesss.livejournal.com]

That was a very moving interview indeed. I watched it on CNN this morning, and my eyes stung. His pain is practically palpable. I couldn't help but be consumed with thoughts about the hurricane victims this morning as I was able to do my grocery shopping in the normal way. I counted my blessings.

As to the incompetence of the federal agencies involved -- or lack thereof, shall I say :::cough::: -- I haven't been able to assimilate all the information coming out of that. To say their responses have been appallingly lacking is a gross understatement.

[selinakyle47.livejournal.com]

I really, truly hope that all Americans won't forget what happened, won't accept the pitiful excuses being offered up by incompetent political appointees.

[dharmavati.livejournal.com]

Oh my... I... am speechless. The transcript was emotional enough but the video... whoa. Couldn't reach for the tissue box fast enough.

He really has a point. I still don't see what these helicopter tours and press conferences are doing to help people immediately.

[hedwig-snowy.livejournal.com]

From a piece by Greg Mitchell: "This is not mere incompetence, but dereliction of duty. The press should call it by its proper name."

The Commander-in-Chief was off while he should've been at his post...again.

You mean that rascal Haley Barbour looked bad? (From Wonkette's comment page) That good ole Mississippi boy? Nah...

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/campaign/july97/hearing_7-24.html

It's as if the GOP has turned into the mob...no matter how you screw up or run into trouble, the family will protect each other...as long as you don't squeal (Paul O'Neill, Richard Clarke, etc...). Unless you screw up bad enough...then they'll give you a medal. For New Orleans...can you say Chief Justice Michael Brown (FEMA Head)???

What the WH will do now is try to switch blame to the 'all-powerful' local authorities in the Gulf Region. They are extremely good at this. At the same time, they will start a media/talking points campaign that any attacks on them are just 'political hyperbole' during a time of crisis" or some other crud. Finally, they'll have people believing that the people in NO deserved what they got and that they have better things to do...like putting another winger on the Supreme Court to work tirelessly to stop the evils of Affirmative Action...they win.