I am so sick of this...

[GammaPro]

F*ck FEMA and the US Corps of Engineers.

The supposed goal of this operation in Southwest Louisiana is to help those who were devestated by the hurricanes. Is that what's happening?

Not really.

Instead, we're mostly helping those with political pull, friends in high places and those who can grease enough palms.

For example... Pete's only place of residence was destroyed by hurricane Rita. His insurance covers maybe half the cost of demolishing and rebuilding his home. Pete has to cough up the other half.

One way FEMA can help is by having his home demolished and hauled off for him. Pete hears about this program and signs up, giving the Corps and FEMA right of entry onto his property. Pete joins an incredibly long list of petitioners.

FEMA review his case and decides Pete doesn't need their help.

Meanwhile, Joe has a tree that fell on one of the homes he rents out. His primary house (the big old stately Wayne Manor that he lives in) sustains no damage. Just this one rent house (which is one of many). He moans and rails about having to fix his rental property. Well, one of his rich buddies tells him "Well now, Joe, why don't you go on down to the courthouse and sign one of them ROEs and let FEMA fix you right up?"

Joe does.

FEMA fixes Joe right up.

I'm glad this job is almost over. It's getting worse and worse. But, we are still helping some that really need it. So, that's good I guess.

[Jack Zodiac]

We need a good, old-fashioned, armed revolution.

[Spike-X]

F*ck FEMA and the US Corps of Engineers.

The supposed goal of this operation in Southwest Louisiana is to help those who were devestated by the hurricanes. Is that what's happening?

Not really.

Instead, we're mostly helping those with political pull, friends in high places and those who can grease enough palms.


Gee, who woulda thought?

More and more, the current US Administration is starting to look like something out of Atlas Shrugged.

[Jack Zodiac]

*chucks a spanner in the motor of the world*

[ragnarok_2012]

I think a useful question would be

"What would Ben Franklin do?"

Ben Franklin was responsible for creating the first lending library and fire department in the colonies. And he worked on a militia too, iirc.

These were all private organizations, because the colonial government was too incompetent (and arguably corrupt) to do anything useful.

[GammaPro]

Gee, who woulda thought?

More and more, the current US Administration is starting to look like something out of Atlas Shrugged.

This isn't the "current US Adminsitration". Not everything can be laid at their door step. I'm no fan of Bush, but he isn't here directing operations. These FEMA and Corps people aren't answering to Washington. Their running operations as they see fit and answering only to (or lying to) regional directors.

[Spike-X]

I stand corrected.

[Calybos]

You should call Hezbollah, they're doing a great job on quick reconstruction and emergency aid.

[tricksterpup]

As forefinger would say. .the answer is FIRE.

[Grazzt]

You should call Hezbollah, they're doing a great job on quick reconstruction and emergency aid.

"Just phone their handy 1-800 number and ululate. A helpful Hezbollah representative will be there in less than 30 minutes."

[Forefinger]

As forefinger would say. .the answer is FIRE.
Oh no. That was Pol Rua. That's why I always post it like: "The solution is fire".


That being said, in many parts of Louisiana kickbacks and bribes are still the way of doing business. I'm sure that Joe in the story, had some nice dinner with a FEMA person, or bought them something else nice, if not just giving someone money. Bastards. All of them.

[Elegance Liberty]

Augh, FEMA.

My mother and I were watching a documentary about a Yellowstone 'super volcano' that was obviously made before Hurricane Rita and Katrina. In it, FEMA was laying out plans of what they'd do if said 'super volcano' ever erupted.

We both groaned and shook our heads in shame.

[Ronald Bryan]

Augh, FEMA.

My mother and I were watching a documentary about a Yellowstone 'super volcano' that was obviously made before Hurricane Rita and Katrina. In it, FEMA was laying out plans of what they'd do if said 'super volcano' ever erupted.

We both groaned and shook our heads in shame.
They would run like hell and hope everyone else made it out alive too?

[GammaPro]

I stand corrected.

I didn't mean to seem an ass. Did I?

Aside, I am happy to report that both the demolition projects I oversaw today were legitimate cases.

[moebius]

This isn't the "current US Adminsitration". Not everything can be laid at their door step. I'm no fan of Bush, but he isn't here directing operations. These FEMA and Corps people aren't answering to Washington. Their running operations as they see fit and answering only to (or lying to) regional directors.

But this Administration is responsible for gutting FEMA as an organization. Never would have happened under other, better presidents (ie anyone between Hoover and Bush II).