Mike Brown, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is totally unqualified for this important job. He has consistantly made foolish statements that demonstrate his ignorance of the disaster's aftermath. When everyone in America was aware of the problems at the New Orleans Convention Center from watching television, he said he was unaware of the problems. When there was no food or water or federal presence, he said the feds were there. He also said he was just now finding out about things I had been watching on television for days.

Mike Brown's biggest management job before this was to serve as Executive Director of the Arabian Horse Association for nine years. He left that position under a cloud. His support of George Bush landed him a plum patronage position as head of FEMA. The glacial federal response that has cost many Americans their lives is the fault of the incredibly poor management of Mr. Brown, who doesn't have enough management skill to run an Orange Julius Stand. He looks like a fool and talks like a fool because he is so terribly unqualified. The fact that Mike Brown has this most important position is a disgrace. It sure makes George Bush and his administration look very bad. Johnny Hughes

Agreed, agreed, and agreed.

A political rant coming. I can't help it.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ELECT A PARTY THAT FUNDAMENTALLY BELIEVES THAT GOVERNMENT IS THE PROBLEM, NOT THE SOLUTION!!! THEY DON'T TAKE GOVERNING SERIOUSLY!!!!!

The Republicans who are in charge these days are ideologically committed to the view that government is the problem, not the solution. Not all Republicans believe this, of course, but these guys do. And they are the government. So, naturally, they don't take seriously the hard work that is required to do things right. And they see no reason not to give jobs to people who are unqualified to do them. Jobs are ROUTINELY offered based on political connections rather than competence to do the jobs.

I was absolutely stunned when I read about the way the Republicans chose staff people (the lower ranking civilian jobs) in Iraq (mostly working in the Green Zone). This was 2 years ago now. Did they choose people with international experience? Training in Iraq? Relevant language experience? No, no, and no. They literally went to the Heritage Foundation web site, and other right-wing sites, and contacted everybody who was young and committed to the Republican party and conservative ideology. They saw Iraq staffing positions, first and foremost, as a way to advance the careers of young Republicans.

Ideology first. Competence ... not second. Competence not considered.

The FEMA guy is just part of the way this particular group of Republicans operates.

People are dying because of these idiots' arrogance.

Sunday, three plane loads of refugees arrived here in Lubbock. Alll the agencies were out in force at the airport on Saturday because that is when the Feds said they would come. The pilots and the refugees did not know where they were going until they were in the air. Lubbock did not know they were coming until a pilot called our Mayor.

All the agencies were out in force: DPS, Lubbock Police, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Doctors, Nurses, Ambulances from quite a few towns. There were more officials and volunteers than there were refugees. It took less than thirty minutes to get them off the planes and on rolling buses. These were people who had been at the convention center in New Orleans, the worst place to be. They were mostly small family units. Only three people were taken directly to the hospital.. Within an hour of hitting flat land, they had their own cell phones, place to sleep, hot showers, hot food, medical services, presription drugs on the way, social workers, toys, a basketball court, schools to enroll in, and job search help. Our whole Emergency Management system is set up to deal with tornados fast, very fast. They don't need many briefings, and press conferences and meetings about what refugees will need. They know what to do already. The pilots said that Lubbock was better prepared than any place they had been.

The military knows what to do and would have done it right if not held back by slogan slinging bureaucrats. Over and over, federal agencies have these highly paid managers who have no experience with that agency or it's mission. Long term professionals in State and Federal government have to answer to someone who got the job by political activites, mainly fund raising. Political hacks buy jobs they cannot handle. Both political parties are equally gulity of political patronage and it's built in inefficiency.

Johnny Hughes