Federalism in ActionEssay Preview: Federalism in ActionReport this essay02.08 FederalismFederalism in ActionPart One: The Storm“The Storm: Chaos and Tragedy”According to Frontline, what problems were caused by the following groups:The Local and state officials? The inability to enforce laws from the federal level uniformly throughout counties.The U.S. military? Experienced many problems because with no previous experience in emergency managementFEMA? Experienced many problems because with no previous experience in emergency managementThe Government? Didnt make it a main priority right awayWhy was the Louisiana National Guard unable to help?The Louisiana National Guards Headquarter was flooded by Katrina, the communications center was destroyed and all of the equipment located at the Headquarter was either destroyed or made inaccessible.
Why were rescue efforts hampered in the first 24 hours?Governor Blanco apparently didnt understand the city was flooded, even though we could all see it on TV. All communications in the greater New Orleans area were knocked out by the storm so official requests for aid probably were not being communicated. However, all of the networks were showing the city under water.
What were the Mayors responsibilities prior to the hurricane?The Mayors responsibility prior to the hurricane was to protect the people from it and evacuate them.Where were state and local officials during the aftermath of Katrina? Why was this a problem?I believe that they told people to try to help as much as they can to the ones that lost their houses.What were the critics pointing out as trouble with the governor of Louisiana?Disaster response authority at the time of Katrina was entirely in the hands of the state Governors – NOT the federal government. Governor Blanco apparently became completely ineffective for at least the first 72 to 96 hours after the disaster.
According to then-FEMA director Michael Brown, when does FEMA take over for state and local governments?The FEMA doesnt really take over for the state and local government.What were the complaints of local and state officials against FEMA?The state and local didnt really want FEMA to do anything. They cant do anything until the state says they can.How many days did it take for the government, under President George W. Bush, to acknowledge they were late and inadequate in its response?It took about 6 days“The Storm: What Went Wrong in New Orleans”:After reading the interview excerpts from the federal, state, and local officials, what do you feel went wrong in New Orleans?Review Questions:Evaluate and discuss the challenges for each level of government. Which level faced the greatest challenges?What lessons do you think were learned as a result of Hurricane Katrina?After reviewing the problems caused, what type of assistance should the citizens of New Orleans have expected from the federal
I can say very few of these issues in New Orleans.I remember that in the beginning they were worried about FEMA and how they were going to respond, “We’re going to have to take on these guys because we are literally the greatest threat to this city.” They made that a point because FEMA would not give up and put up a fight for the state of New Orleans.What would you say to our neighbors today that they should not be concerned about FEMA?They should not be concerned about FEMA because the feds should not take off that responsibility.So how can this organization learn from Katrina, especially in New Orleans that we are on a different page from FEMA with its own resources and its own tools and its own operations and its own staff than FEMA does?I want to be honest, we have never had that before.I want to encourage the citizens of New Orleans to start a civil disobedience movement around one of their municipal water systems that is the “FEMA Water System.”That needs an immediate start and I do not wish to be in the way of another government agency taking on the part of FEMA.But I am talking about public water service from city to city so much that this is a “political action” that is an opportunity to build trust around the water system. I want FEMA and state and local agencies to provide the citizens of New Orleans with clean water and to make them feel better about this, that they can not be put back in control of their own water system and that they won’t be forced onto the sidelines.I do believe it is time to focus our effort on those at the top and in the communities. I believe that more people need to be involved in this because as communities we need our elected officials to be more accountable to our own citizens than those at the bottom of the barrel.Let’s get started that way.
As the mayor of New Orleans, it’s our job to put people in charge on our water and to do everything we can to give people the freedom to build safe, clean, clean basements without having to live in constant fear of disease and damage
For me being involved as Mayor is something unique. In that respect, it’s a different kind of politics from what I was used to. It is something that I understand in the city, from what I know of New Orleans and how I came of my political background, or whatever. I understand what it means to be involved in the city. And of course it means being part of the people who created that.But that’s only a small part of what being part of New Orleans is about. That’s more than a little something and some of those things that people have built up over the years in our neighborhoods and at the highest levels of government.”
Since 2011-12
For those not following the story, the following quotes have been selected on by Michael Brown: From the First Presidential Debate – The Federal Government’s Role in Water Supply in New Orleans to the War in Iraq on 9/11 This post originally appeared on the “Red Hot Politics” blog on November 8, 2014.
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We have a lot of people in the water system looking to make America great again by putting their own water issues before the needs of thousands of individuals in a desperate attempt to help rebuild our homes. Unfortunately, in some ways, we seem to be getting worse at what we’re doing. We are living in this war.
Since 2011-12
for those not following the story, the following quotes have been selected on by Michael Brown: From the First Presidential Debate – The Federal Government’s Role in Water Supply in New Orleans to the War in Iraq on 9/11 This post originally appeared on the “Red Hot Politics” blog on November 8, 2014.