Hello Irish Eyes, Gov.did not wait.Fact: Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco declared a State of Emergency for her state on Friday, Aug. 26. Full disclosure: The Post reported last week — erroneously, it turned out — that Louisiana had not issued such a declaration. A correction was published on Sept. 5. Fact: President Bush declared a State of Emergency the next day — the Saturday immediately before Hurricane Katrina hit. Fact: Presidential declarations of emergency are made after a request from “the governor of the impacted state, based on finding that the disaster is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the ability of the state and affected local jurisdictions.” Fact: Blanco sent a letter dated Aug. 28 to Bush — via the FEMA regional director — requesting that he “declare a major disaster,” and Bush responded by wisely declaring an emergency. There is a very slight difference, funding-wise, between declaring a major disaster and declaring an emergency — the difference is explained here — but both authorize “emergency protective measures.” Fact: A declaration of emergency “unleash[es] the support of any or all of 27 federal agencies. It also authorizes reimbursement of emergency work, such as debris removal and emergency protective measures.” Fact: There is a FEMA program called the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System (US&R) — now part of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate (EP&R) of the Department of Homeland Security. According to federal legislation, it “provides specialized lifesaving assistance during major disasters or emergencies that the President declares under the Stafford Act. US&R operational activities include locating, extricating and providing on-site medical treatment to victims trapped in collapsed structures, victims of weapons of mass destruction events, and when assigned, performing incident command or other operational activities.” Fact: In the supplementary information for the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System legislation, it says (I’ve taken out some of the extraneous numbers and some unnecessary phrases for ease of reading, but the meaning is unchanged): Section 303 of the Stafford Act authorizes the President of the United States to form emergency support teams of Federal personnel to be deployed in an area affected by a major disaster or emergency. The President delegated this function to the Director of the FEMA under Executive Order 12148. Under E.O. 13286 of February 28, 2003, the President amended E.O. 12148 to transfer the FEMA Director’s delegated authority to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and under Homeland Security Delegation No. 9100, delegated the Secretary’s authority under Title V of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which includes the Stafford Act, to the Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP&R). Fact: The Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response is Michael Brown. (So, EP&R director — the head of FEMA, the guy the New Orleans Times Picayune said should “especially” be fired — had the authority to dispatch specialized rescue squads right away. Where were they? Why didn’t the president, under whose direction the Department of Homeland Security ultimately falls, insist on getting those teams on the ground — or in the air — as soon as the levees were breached and the flooding began?) Again, that’s without state requests. (This is not to say the the local authorities couldn’t have done more. For starters, they could have taken into account the substantial number of poor Now Orleans residents who wouldn’t have the means to evacuate. But they were right in the middle of it all, their resources overwhelmed, whereas the federal emergency management professionals are likely to have vastly more resources Why do you refer to those that live in this area as, “You People” ? Your tone is so attacking, why? Our Gov. has changed by election since Katrina. Our Gov is now Bobby Jindal. As far as The Mayor of Orleans, that very few people voted on. Their is this idea that New Orleans and it’s surrounding suburbs are all apart of the same city and Parish, that is not the case. Most of Orleans Parish was vacant at the time that the Mayor was reelected. He took absentee Ballots to Houston where most of those that could vote, where staying. Something that very few understand, this is a Population that has in the past had their homes flooded on purpose, to save the Up Town area of the City. As well they have the highest percent of Sickle Cell Disease anywhere, creating a very poor population.

Good Day to All. I will be going with my neighbor kids to pick up trash around our town park. MLK speech is so moving. I get those warm fuzzy feelings when ever I hear it. I however think that MLK Dream still has more growth to come forth. It worries me that people think the Dream has been fulfilled. It is awesome that we have come this far, but The Dream is not just about color. It is about Liberty and Justice For All. So as joyous as this moment in time is for America, let us not drop the ball…Equal Rights for all …

I just had to come back here tonight and say let us not let this slip the radar either. CBS is now using The Obama Campaign as well. Pop Culture moves fast. Ikea …Sort starting to Pop up everywhere…. my gut says to pay attention to what is happening.

You are such a nice and support Friend. I know what you mean in regards to the Meds. I take Tramadiol as needed. It does not make me feel medicated or vomit! Two big Pluses. Just seems to make me deal or disconnect easier. Iwear a stocking cap right now to keep my head from getting cold. When my head or face gets cold Iufere. No wonder I LOve our Hot Summers! I will say I do find however an ice pack to the back of my neck can really help when the Bad headaches hit. That and Meditation. Sometimes it is as simple as just getting to busy to pay attention. Sometimes it is a Bed day. Thankfully it is more out of bed then in. I keep on moving, I appreciate every working part I still have. Hugs to you

Hello Frannie, Well what I am talking about is how the new Pepsi ads look like Obama ads. And There is a clothing line and it appears to be that the Merchandising Community is using the Obama Campaign for selling products. That has me wondering…Happy New Year Frannie, may it bring you Joy.

So funny I just left there!! So Good TO see You Too!

Hello Dear Sandbee, Is it not weird that so little is mentioned about your area? I fin it so. My kitty Little Man is just starting to get around. A Coon bit him and broke his shoulder. Thank you for the how the health doing, I am once again waiting to go,so of course when they said Tuesday, ya gotta say yes. To the ever hard to see Primary care Doctor. So that I can then get the referral to The Surgeon. The wires broke 2 front teeth. No one would touch them until a year after the last surgery, well they broke off and now they will have to b surgically removed. That always means the Hospital for me, with the Rheumatic fever history and well the jaw. in the mean time I have wax teeth! I have no desire to see anyone till they fix this! I must look like an old crack w——! It is crazy how other people will take advantage of hard times and steel a buck! Mt brother just sent his Insurance agent a Hundred bucks. He lost his place in the Sylmar fire. Last Jan. His agent told him he was under insured, so he did, the market then fell in his area. So he feels like he made out very well in his case. They cut him a check that very day.(Missing in action out there, AIG) How are you doing Heath wise yourself? I hope well. Here is to a New Good Year for Everyone!!!

Patty, Your post reminded me of two songs well in part. This from Kurt Franklin….sick and tired of the church talkin’ religion and , yet, they talk about each other, makin’ decisions. no more racism! two-facism! no pollution! the solution? a revolution! and this from DC Talk…[the greatest single cause of atheism in the world today Is christians who acknowledge jesus with their lips Then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.]

deber, I totally agree!

I was Honored to create an Art Piece for The Farewell to the Unknown. The Funeral was the day before Gustav… Sorry that I got confused, I could have sworn that someone mentioned you as a NOLA Gal. You are a Chicago Girl. Hope you are staying warm. It is cold down here right now, but when I see what the rest of the Nation is experience, I feel very grateful and send warming thoughts to those that are cold. Hot Chocolate All Around…

Well Maurine said it so very well! But once again I say Hat’s Off wOwers! and I too really enjoyed the post by Brooklyn Gal. To All that find their Silver LInnings, I Tip My Hat to you as well….

Hello Beth, . Ditto on your well said post….and save the expensive of a High Profile Trial.

Hello Joan, How very beautiful written. Thank you . And To Andrew Wyeth, Farewell you will be remembered by many, Thank you for your Beautifully expressed Talents.

Miss Dee, It is so nice to see your smiling face! I am going to have to go to your page and get caught up. I am Thankful that what seeems to have been some very trying times has brought you around to smiling. Happy New Year….

I think you could be right about the bakfire. But I would think their are also those that might have voted, that will find this questionable as well. Merchandising Of America….