[techweenie]

Originally posted by RoninLB
I can't verify below info..

...Just before midnight Friday evening the President called Governor Blanco and pleaded with her to sign the request papers so the federal government and the military could legally begin mobilization and call up. He was told that they didn't think it necessary for the federal government to be involved yet. After the President's final call to the governor she held meetings with her staff to discuss the political ramifications of bringing federal forces. It was decided that if they allowed federal assistance it would make it look as if they had failed so it was agreed upon that the feds would not be invited in.

Saturday before the storm hit the President again called Gov. Blanco and Mayor Nagin requesting they please sign the papers requesting federal assistance, that they declare the state an emergency area,and begin mandatory evacuation. After a personal plea from the President, Nagin agreed to order an evacuation, but it would not be a full mandatory evacuation, and the governor still refused to sign the papers requesting and authorizing federal action. In frustration the President declared the area a national disaster area before the state of Louisiana did so he could legally begin some advanced preparations. Rumor has it that the President's legal advisers were looking into the ramifications of using the insurgency act to bypass the Constitutional requirement that a state request federal aid before the federal government can move into state with troops - but that had not been done since 1906 and the Constitutionality of it was called into question to use before the disaster.

(I chopped out some parts for focus on two things) First, the Image of GWB calling up near midnight & "pleading" with Blanco just doesn't ring true. This guy usually goes to bed before 9pm. AFAIK, he doesn't call people and 'plead.' Generally, GWB delegates and does not supervise. Plus, this intense level of involvement would not normally lead to keeping minor photo-ops on the schedule for the following four days.

Second, the story about a call from the president before Blanco's press conference is true, but the inference is not. The press conference was called to announce evacuation. GWB called after it was scheduled, but shortly before the press conference took place. Whatever conversation there was didn't "precipitate" evacuation orders as so many have tried to infer.

Other aspects of the story may be true, but we will likely have to wait for a commission report, since they involve discussions between Blanco and her staff -- and presumably, Nagin.

A federal disaster was declared 18 pr so hours later at the request of Blanco -- still 40+ hours before Katrina's landfall.

Again, as has been pointed out endlessly by apologists here, FEMA has a long response time and is not a 'first responder' and in fact, did not appear to mobilize until Tuesday despite the request four days before. So, even in a worst-case scenario, what would the Feds have contributed if the emergency had been declared Friday midnight instead of Saturday afternoon?