Everyone is pointing fingers to avoid blame and responsibility for the lack of prevention before the tragedy of Katrina. Liberals are pointing toward the President, and the White House is doing its usual - "Hey, let's wait it out and we'll figure out blame (anyone but us) later." So, who's to blame? Or can we blame anyone?
Let's start with the accusations from the Left.
1.) "Without Bush's tax cut, the Corps of Engineers would have had the money to build up the levee to withstand a stronger storm, therefore preventing a break and thousands dead." It sounds like a logical argument, until you look at the time frame. Bush did cut funding, but it was multi-decade project involved building new levees, enlarging existing levees, and updating other protections like floodwalls. It was scheduled to be completed in 2015. If Bush had not cut funding, the levee still would have broken.
2.) "There was a history of complaints and predictions that should have triggered a concern." Due to the concerns of a tragedy happening like this in the future, a project to build up the levee was created. As just mentioned, that was to be completed in 2015, and that is (I'll do the math for you) 10 years too late to prevent this from happening.
3.) "The Bush Administration acted too slowly." First, let me get this out. I have never understood the Left's timeline. 18 months after an attack on our country, we go to war with Iraq. This was too quick and considered a "rush to war." Less than 72 hours after the 'cane had passed through, decisions were being made on federal, state, and local levels to help. With so much press covering the lack of federal response, Bush finally travelled down to Louisiana (I never saw why he needed to go but for the press, anyway. He has representatives and a phone.) and we find out now that his arrival into the city prevented three tons of food from being delivered to "refugees" (or something more P.C.). A better response by FEMA would have been appreciated, but a quicker one I don't believe was plausible. In order to get into the city, you need to clear the way first. Bush cannot activate the National Guard to help a state on his own. By law, it is the governor's job. A sidenote on the response, machiavel over at Redstate found that Conservative Blogs had raised $1,043,351 at the same point in time for the hurricane victims as Liberal Blogs that raised $159,957. His question was, "where's [the Left's] quick response?"
4.) "Bush don't care about black people." That's what Kanye West asserted during a HUGE telethon for those donating to the Katrina Relief Effort. I wonder how many heard that and turned the channel, not donating what they might have. I had a long tirade about Kanye and those who made similar claims. This just isn't worth any more of my time. You can find opinions and commentary on this elsewhere.
Now for the Right's accusations.
1.) "Give us more time to look things over, then we'll figure out who did what wrong and what could have been done better. For now, let's focus on what we can do to help." In summation, that's what DHS head-honcho Chertoff claimed on four different Sunday morning news shows. I think this is the appropriate response AT THIS TIME. Grief and an attempt to save what's left (lives and property) is top priority and should not be interrupted by politics. Later, the administration can answer deserving questions on a lack of preparation.
2.) "It's the mayor and governor's job. What could Bush have done?" This is typical federalist jargon - It's all about the state's and their responsibility. What the President could have done was not gone to a fundraiser in California, the Vice President not gone house-hunting, and Condi not gone to watch Spamalot. Bush did cut his vacation short, but his presence was needed to console the American people. He did it on 9/11 with a bullhorn and when demanded to go back to the capital, he should have addressed the people immediately. A leader makes his people know that he is there for them, even during the worst situations.
Now for my take (as if that isn't enough). Who's to blame? For the most part, I don't think anyone realized that Katrina was going to be as strong as it became after missing Florida. When, about 36 hours before touchdown, we realized that this was something of a super-storm, organizing a rescue effort was pretty much impossible. Mayor Nagin of New Orleans told everyone to head to the superdome for shelter. That was part of the organized plan made in the past and it was a pretty good one. The mayor could have asked for police to drive the streets in the public busses to pick up people to transport to other shelters or the superdome. The governor could have asked for National Guardsmen to be on the ready (just in case it get's really bad.). The President could have made himself ready for an address of mourning to the public. Everyone deserves to take a bite of the blame pie served by all parties. No one's bite needs to be bigger than any other's. Responsibility should be taken all around. Maybe, for once, politicians will take some responsibility for what they could have done.
In all reality, no one wanted this or could have prevented this horrible tragedy from happening. It looks like 10,000 is the rumor of dead and I don't believe any reasonable politician or person wished this to happen. We have come together, once again, as a nation to help. Over a half-a-billion dollars has been raised privately and $60 Billion of federal assistance has been approved. As a nation, let's take this opportunity to celebrate our love for fellow Americans. The smallest deed you can do to help will bring everyone from the smallest baby to the oldest man a smile.
