This will only add fuel to the fire storm calling for the president to fire FEMA chief Michael Brown.
Disaster chief waited to seek volunteers
The government’s disaster chief waited until hours after Hurricane Katrina had already struck the Gulf Coast before asking his boss to dispatch 1,000 Homeland Security employees to the region – and gave them two days to arrive, according to internal documents.
Michael Brown, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, sought the approval from Homeland Security Secretary Mike Chertoff roughly five hours after Katrina made landfall on Aug. 29. Brown said that among duties of these employees was to “convey a positive image” about the government’s response for victims.
Knowing what we know now…this is ugly. I can’t help but think what would happen if the U.S. suddenly became a victim of a WMD attack. With Brown as FEMA head, he’d probably start the relief effort by sending out a press release and pre-signing thank you cards.
Quite a few others are calling for a FEMA head-on-a-stick. Jarvis, Malkin, and Sullivan for starters. I’m sure there are more today.
Will Bush do it? It will be awkward given that just days ago he gave Brown a public vote of confidence, but at this point I don’t see any other option but the axe.