Originally Posted by Himiko
Unfortunately, the only part of the rescue operation that can be Federalized without state permission (Or reconvening the Congress and obtaining a motion that Louisiana is in rebellion against the government) is the National Guard, and they're needed for law enforcement (which they are not allowed to do legally if they are federalized). Really, the Feds can't do much unless the Louisiana Governor lets them...and she's trying to stay as independent of Washington as possible. They can send in resources, but not the Army. Not without the Insurrection Act. So that's where the helicoptors are.
Not to say the Feds are blameless. In particular, Bush was a complete idiot by insisting on making a personal visit, something that completely shut down the rescue effort for security reasons, which was something he knew full well would have to happen. The comparisons drawn to Nixon and Bush Sr. dealing with Camille and Andrew, respectively, also don't look good for Bush Jr. Of course, everyone ignores, as usual, Mississippi and Alabama, which were hit even worse and are pulling through just fine with the same amount of Federal aid (less, really, since they're getting less attention), but...
Wow...tens of thousands are black. And I suppose the rest of those refugees just don't exist.
