We all can talk about this but here are real people who are living this and what makes me angry is that there is no retribution for them or accountaibility by any official.

Why when this happens, where does one turn to????

FEMA stands for stonewalling; the government is famous for that in all areas.

I THINK THAT IS HORRIBLE WHAT FEMA IS DOING. I WENT THROUGH HURRICANE CHARLEY AND NOBODY DID ANYTHING TO HELP ME. MY FAMILY AND I HELPED OURSELVES. BETWEEN FEMA AND THE RED CROSS I DON'T KNOW WHO WAS WORSE.

THERE ISN'T A DAY SINCE THE DAY AFTER ELECTIONS, THAT I AM NOT SORRY I VOTED FOR GEORGE BUSH!. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU!

Bureaucratic incompetency has nothing to do with either political party...FEMA has an established track record of this kind of performance regardless of the party of the President. Perseverance is the key now and it always has been.

This is a disheartening example of the work of government employees. The same kind of work ethic frustrates us at the DMV, public schools, IRS, etc..
Civil servants forget about the service part of the job description, but enjoy job protection, benefits, and a good retirement. This situation can't be blamed on a particular administration. It's been this way for my 65 years, and probably forever.

And the screaming meemies of all this is that creepy "Brownie, you're doing a heckuva job" is starting his OWN company based on his experience at FEMA!! Only in America!!

The magnitude of your loss and many in the region is staggering. In regards to government relief, what you are experiancing is government at it best. This is not a Republician or Democrat issue (although many like to blame a specific party). It is government....period. The bigger the government, the larger the wheel, and the larger the wheel the slower it turns and the longer it takes. The Federal Government is the biggst and it runs on millions of rules and forms, more than any other. Your need is your home, the person "helping" you is in Washington. They can not see the damage, can not smell the mold, can not feel the night chill, or really care to....caring is not part of there job. Your case is one of tens of thousands, you are put in line like a chess pawn. If Americams want real help, then we need to stop asking the Federal Government to be our parents, make the Federal government smaller, we need to seek lower federal taxes, we need to invest (or raise taxes if you must) in our community and state. Then give the state the ability and power to respond and vote in leaders with real vision and leadership skills (the opposite of Blanco et al in LA). Then the solutions to local problems are within the reach of the citizens, not at the end of a "machine" in DC.

I also received that letter from FEMA. I lived in Slidell, LA and every home on my street was flooded. I called FEMA and they stated that since I had flood insurance that they could not qualify me for any assistance until all flood insurance transactions were completed and to continue with the filing process. I have completed the process and have not received any assistance as of today. I also am having a hard time trusting in our government since the issue of that letter. Even though my letter stated I had insufficient damage (my flood insurance adjuster marked the water level in my house at 23 inches) they have contacted me to see if I would like a FEMA trailer. Since I have relocated, I turned the offer down hoping that someone else in need will receive it. So maybe there is still hope. Keep your head up, their are a lot of people praying for you. God Bless you, I will add you to my prayer list of family and friends still struggling.

Why does anything the government does surprise you? The president has no clue of what ids taking place. He is being told everything is moving along accordingly to plan, reminds you of Iran and Irag doesn't (Mission Accomplished). If, you look back in our history too the Great Chicago Fire, you will see FIVE (5) weeks not monyhs are the fire 20,000 homes were being built. New orleans is not really yet fit to live in. But I bet if you look we have spent 100
's of millions with little to show forit. Another large storm will leave the city in the same mess.

FEMA Employees are telling their friends that they are being told to "hold the line" and keep payments down to 15% or eligible claims. They are being told that most claims are fraudulent anyway, so no one is really getting hurt.

The ineptness of the Federal government, State governments, and City governments have absolutely nothing to do with the Bush Administration. Can anyone say, with a straight face, that the Federal government was EVER adept at anything (besides spending our money!) before Bush was in office? What happened on the Mississippi Gulf Coast had absolutely nothing to do with politics...let's try and keep it that way!

"The intake computer was processing claims wrongly" Computers do not do anything humans don't tell them to do. When does buck passing stop and humans take responsibility for their own mistakes. I thought when Brown was relieved things were supposed to be better. Guess not.

Your story just made me furious. Not only were you treated in an offhanded way, but then the people you called didn't really care. Ho-hum, another flood vicitm pestering us. I cna't stand it! Good luck - - I do hope you get some satisfaction soon.
Hildy, Pennsylvania

I think before attacking the government (which I do not believe is in the right still) people should get after the people who is getting and taking up the assistance that don't need it. Like the real estate agent who had enough money to build a new home and new business without taking out a mortgage but yet had a FEMA issued trailer to live in and work out of just because she wanted to feel what others where going through. She was going to see those people in a jaguar. Those kind of people are keeping people like the one in this article from getting what they need.

Sadly, there will be no further accountability until Bush is out of office. They have lost the war, they will lose (have already lost) the presidency, both houses of congress and the trust of America and the rest of the planet. They will spend the next 3 years issuing appointments, pardons and lining their pockets with everything they can squeeze out of the system.

I think before attacking the government (which I do not believe is in the right still) people should get after the people who is getting and taking up the assistance that don't need it. Like the real estate agent who had enough money to build a new home and new business without taking out a mortgage but yet had a FEMA issued trailer to live in and work out of just because she wanted to feel what others where going through. She was going to see those people in a jaguar. Those kind of people are keeping people like the one in this article from getting what they need.

This is an example of Bureaucratic Nonsensense at its fines.

No one should be suprised by this. And I wish it was as simple as blaming Bush. It goes beyond the republicans and the democrats. The Government is to big.It is filled with political hacks. People who get their jobs because of who they know not what they know. Any professionals that are left in Gov't. service are either disheartened or have gone over to the "Dark Side". Katrina was a lesson we can all learn from. If you are expecting the government to take care you, You are in for a long wait, unless you 'know someone'

We have the best government money can buy... but evidently you don't have enough to buy very much of their attention. Too bad you're not a senator, a poor airline company or a sad oil company with mega-buck lobby firms working on your behalf.

There are families in the Baltimore area that are still dealing with FEMA red tape, two years after the storm. I'm not surprised by anything I hear about FEMA.

I think the problem is no one (at Fema) is going to be held accountable for anything they do or don't do. There will always be excuses given as to why this or that happened or didn't happen. Many people do not consider the consequences of their actions and who it may hurt or cause more work for. It's just "a job".
Why isn't someone monitoring what the computer is sending out so the junk like this doesn't get out.
Sorry I couldn't offer a solution or fix the problem but good luck to you and your future. You and everyone else are being prayed for every day by many.

What happend to utilizing digital photo's of the damage incurred to the homes of Katrina's victems, it would be an instant indication of the condition and not totally relay on reports. A picture is worth a thousand words, in this case might expedite a report and get something done. Just a thought for FEMA, since they can't read maybe they can SEE.!!!

WE JUST GOT THE SAME LETTER, FOR DAMAGE DONE BY WILMA

It's all just a conspiracy anyway. The Government, medical system, all of it. You'll probably get what you need in the end, but it will take years off your life in frustration. And the thing that's actually sort of funny, the people in those jobs are just people. You'd think they'd care just a little bit, since it COULD be them needing help. Good luck.