[ohiobarb42]

I am sad to say that the entire handling of this disaster, except for the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, was a travesty. I used to be in rescue work and know that FEMA used to be a very compentent and tremendous agency. Since it was consolidated with the Homeland Security Dept, it has become inept and ineffectual. Had they still been an entity unto their own as before, this would have never happened. Also, the city, states and federal goverments let down all those people in a huge way. Now they will have to atone for what they DIDN'T do in the past that could have prevented a large amount of this problem. Plus, there were too many Chiefs and not enough Indieans, so to speak. Everyone wanted to give their news conferences and be seen in the devastated areas. but you didn't see them really doing anything. Now is not the time for show-boating. ALL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY AND START REALLY HELPING!!!!!! There was NO excuse for all those stranded, elderly, infirm people and ones who weren't in that shape, to die like they did. Some of those nursing homes and hospices and assisted living homes should have been the first to be looked into. The powers to be in this country need to hang their heads in shame for what they allowed to happen after this disaster. Makes you wonder what would happen if the US as attacked or has a huge terrorist attack, doesn't it? IT'S REALLY SCARY TO THINK ABOUT THE CONSEQUENSES.[/size]