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The Deadly Floodwaters of New Orleans
As the toxicity of the New Orleans' floodwaters grows worse, we look at the environmental and public health dangers looming in the city. We speak with a chemical toxicologist and independent water-consultant about the problems brewing in the water of New Orleans. As the fallout from Hurricane Katrina continues, more is being revealed about FEMA's role in handling the catastrophe and the qualifications of the people in charge of the agency. Michael Brown heads FEMA and his official title is Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response. President Bush merged the agency with the Department of Homeland Security in 2003. In the days after Katrina hit, Brown came under fierce criticism for his seemingly clueless and insensitive statements about the disaster that was unfolding in New Orleans. Last Thursday night, as ten of thousands of people waited in squalid conditions inside the New Orleans Convention Center desperate for food, water, and security, Brown told Paula Zahn's CNN that he was unaware of the conditions even though TV images had shown the plight of the people all day. Brown then appeared to lay blame on the victims of the hurricane when he responded to a question about the probable high death toll saying, "Unfortunately, that's going to be attributable a lot to people who did not heed the advance warnings."
And yesterday, newly leaked memos showed that FEMA waited five hours after Hurricane Katrina had struck New Orleans before requesting help to be dispatched to the region. Even then Brown said that the 1,000 Homeland Security employees could take two days to show up at the disaster scene. Brown's memo to Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff politely ended, "Thank you for your consideration in helping us to meet our responsibilities." According to the Associated Press, Brown's memo lacked any urgent language besides describing the hurricane as a "near catastrophic event." Brown's memo also said that employees would be expected to "convey a positive image of disaster operations to government officials, community organizations and the general public." ?Yesterday, Brown held a press conference and was asked to respond to calls for his resignation. ? Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has called for you resignation. I'm wondering if you have a response to that?
* Micheael Brown, “The President's in charge of that, not me...I serve totally at the will of the President of the United States.
The Bush administration has staunchly defended Michael Brown. Last week, while admiting the federal response was not acceptable, Bush lauded Brown saying "Brownie, you"re doing a heck of a job." Yesterday, White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan became defensive when asked by reporters if Bush had continued confidence in Michael Brown and FEMA. In these past few days, information has come calling into question the qualifications of Brown and two of his top deputies. It turns out that none of them had virtually any real experience in emergency management before they joined FEMA.
* Judd Legum, Research Director at the Center for American Progress and co-editor of the Progress Report.
LISTEN ONLINE
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/09/08/142226
* Micheael Brown, “The President's in charge of that, not me...I serve totally at the will of the President of the United States.
The Bush administration has staunchly defended Michael Brown. Last week, while admiting the federal response was not acceptable, Bush lauded Brown saying "Brownie, you"re doing a heck of a job." Yesterday, White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan became defensive when asked by reporters if Bush had continued confidence in Michael Brown and FEMA. In these past few days, information has come calling into question the qualifications of Brown and two of his top deputies. It turns out that none of them had virtually any real experience in emergency management before they joined FEMA.
* Judd Legum, Research Director at the Center for American Progress and co-editor of the Progress Report.
LISTEN ONLINE
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/09/08/142226
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This is ethnic cleansing that he is proposing
Thu, Sep 8, 2005 8:52PM
no doubt
Thu, Sep 8, 2005 8:31PM
As we witness the de facto ethnic cleansing of New Orleans,
Thu, Sep 8, 2005 7:21PM
FEMA Detention Centers
Thu, Sep 8, 2005 4:20PM
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