In case you missed this, here is a must-read: a Wall Street Journal editorial titled “Blame Amid the Tragedy” by Evergreen Freedom Foundation president Bob Williams. Here’s a key section:
The primary responsibility for dealing with emergencies does not belong to the federal government. It belongs to local and state officials who are charged by law with the management of the crucial first response to disasters. First response should be carried out by local and state emergency personnel under the supervision of the state governor and his/her emergency operations center.
The actions and inactions of Gov. Blanco and Mayor Nagin are a national disgrace due to their failure to implement the previously established evacuation plans of the state and city. Gov. Blanco and Mayor Nagin cannot claim that they were surprised by the extent of the damage and the need to evacuate so many people. Detailed written plans were already in place to evacuate more than a million people. The plans projected that 300,000 people would need transportation in the event of a hurricane like Katrina. If the plans had been implemented, thousands of lives would likely have been saved.
Mr. Williams is a respected personal acquaintance who I will gladly tout to you for his vast experience and his keen intellect, among other favorable traits. And his op-ed today is simply spot on.
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