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Emergency Response to Katrina Too Little, Too Late Judy Stillson | 8/31/05
I was encouraged this morning by the announcement that President Bush had approved releasing some of the strategic oil reserves to help offset supply disruptions caused by Hurricane Katrina.
Also encouraging was the EPA announcement it would temporarily allow the sale of less-restrictive fuel blends in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi - the states most affected by the Hurricane.
I was less encouraged throughout the day at the lack of specifics coming from the White House. While I am more interested in rescue and relief efforts and those are, right now, the most important aspects of this unfolding malady, it's important that the rest of the nation remain poised and prepared during the crisis as well.
In his 5:00 televised address, the President - flanked by his Cabinet, all looking very serious - failed to mention what ordinary Americans could do to help, while highlighting government efforts, mostly just ticking off specifics like a detached CEO.
The thought of a nationwide effort to conserve fuel and energy apparently never entered into the equation. Just as apparent is the Texas oil that runs deep in this President's veins.
Overall, the response by the federal government to the greatest natural disaster ever to hit the United States has been tepid, far too late and not respective of the magnitude of the damage and human suffering.
Any and all emergency measures should have been quickly activated. Instead, the President spoke today of making sure FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security worked in cooperation with "local officials" when in truth, local officials have been completely overwhelmed.
All branches of the military reserves should have been deployed to the area by Monday night. It is now Wednesday, and no word has come that the reserves from neighboring states are being sent to the area in significant numbers.
People are dying as we move into the 4th day of this disaster. One can only think that the situation is growing worse and our emergency preparedness is falling far short of expectations. Lawlessness, disease and death are spreading quickly while many of our most able first responders are baking under the heat of the Iraqi sun when they could be providing essential service here at home.
The coming days will tell much about the heart and soul of America. Thus far, the administration has shown little in the way of sympathy or urgency.
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