hmmmm - we took Lowe's and Home Depot tarps to friends with homes damaged by Hurricane Rita and helped get the tarps in place - all for less than $100/tarp

on Saturday afternoon, we asked FEMA for tarps for other houses in the neighborhood, but were told tarps were scheduled for distribution on Tuesday and to come back then, even though we could plainly see the tarps sitting behind the officials' tables --- what a crock

makes me sick to think that the representatives I sent to Washington have no more sense than this; I will vote differently next time but will still bet nothing changes

Once again, another story about Hancock county. When are we going to see more stories about Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River and other south MS counties? This is not meant to take away from the problems in Hancock county, it is only meant to expand this coverage to include other counties in Mississippi heavily affected

I think it is borderline criminal what is going on with the money that has been given to contractors related to the hurricane Katrina clean-up. Can't anyone stop them? Has our government become so askew that this is what it has come to? $2500.00 tarps that cost less than $100? It is embarassing and downright despicable, not to mention wasteful. I do not have any voting rights in that state however feel as though this is a crime against all taxpayers.

Although the need was great and immediate, expediency and relatively unrestricted and loosely regulated government spending by remote control always did and always will equal to plain old WASTE. And in spite of all the aforementioned, here it is nearly 4 months later and the tragedy really is, there are hundreds if not thousands of people desperately waiting still for trailers that just sit empty in holding areas all over South Mississippi.

I honestly don't think voting differently will help; our government is so corrupt that one candidate is no better than the next. Talk about a scam - and who issues these contracts for such outrageous amounts?! It makes me sick to my stomach. Where else but in America??????

At a time when Louisiana's people are pooling together their resources to help each other only to have it's own government give contracts to out of state bidders for three and four times the cost is criminal. Not only should someone look into this but quite a bit of firing should be going on. Oops, I forgot...They were elected by the very people they are screwing! My, my, my....

Typical Washington politics and ineptness. Government has never attracted the best and the brightest. The best leaders and managers work for the private sector. That is why this overspending does not surprise me. Vote Democrat or Republican, it won't change a thing.

I've been waiting for help from FEMA for four months.
I know the materials would be cheaper at Home Depot, but in reality, it might be a little harder to get that price when you say "I need 1.5 million of them."

why do we blame our goverment, its the people there that is costing the taxpayers. If your not from here you have no idea how lazy these people are. I for one am tired of hearing "those poor people. Ive gave money an ive been there an seen these people sitting an complaining, but doing nothing to help. We as a nation have gave an gave to hear them complain. Help out people.

As another example of FEMA waste, my husband met with 8 FEMA inspectors all at once when our FEMA camper was being set up (4 months after the hurricane left us homeless). Clearly, it didn't take 8 people to check that situation out-- about 6-7 of them did nothing but remark on the nice house on our relative's property where we were placing the camper and what a shame it was that it suffered so much damage in the storm.

My significant other took a group of Vietnamese workers (45 of them) to Moss Point, Mississippi as a subcontractor to install blue roofs under a supposedly FEMA-approved contractor from Pensacola, Florida. What a fiasco - the program is a sham. Work was not available as promised, and the contractor pocketed most of the money made. The workers walked away with next to nothing, as did my significant other. This program benefits no one but the contractors. You wouldn't believe the tricks that are pulled in order to withhold payment from the workers. I was and remain thoroughly disgusted.

I have a friend here is Washington State who is going to the south for the month of January to do work for a roofing company who is promising more than $15,000 for a month of work doing FEMA work.

Why can't people just get along. I was raised in Virginia and was taught to help others and expect nothing in return. I have always told the people I help just to help someone else in need. It sure makes it easier. You have to be pertty low to scalp tarps. I now live in Texas and the spirit of helping is alive and well. Others take note.

That's why politicians are known to be low life's.
I would trust a car salesman over a politician or a lawyer any time, as we know almost all politicians are lawyers. This bunch are selling this country for few dollars to the highest bidder foregn or domestic.
Shame on them.

I can not believe the exorbiting costs of these items. Where is the watch dog committee? Also, NBC should be doing fleecing of America on TV. Bring this travesty to the attention of the American people, so they may get in touch with their representatives and complain.

"W" wouldn't recognize a competant face if he saw one, especially when he shaves.

Our Government is an absolute joke. This is just the tip of the iceberg. We need to dump all representation and start over. Unfortunately, until we change the system, more of the same bad spending of our money!!!!! Pork, and self-serving interests of our politicians are absolutely shameful. Our elected representatives should be ashamed of themselves. I think it is about time to put the people's interests who elected you first instead of your own. It starts at the White House and moves down to all levels of government.

This makes me want to cry when I think of my tax dollars being wasted on these greedy unscrupulous robbers!! Especially since I can barely pay my mortgage on a VERY modest home of less than $100,000. This is so unfeeling of our government employees to participate in this at my expense and at the expense of millions of others like me!!!!!@

Tis ridiculous to know that there is hundreds of trailers sitting on a lot in Purvis, Mississippi while people are still living in tents on the Gulf Coast in 32 degree weather. Federal stupidity and contractors have milked the tax payers of billions of dollars, when all this could have been done much more resonably. It angers me to know end that organizations such as FEMA are handed hundreds of millions of dollars and then it is squandered away instead of being use to accomplish the same outcome at a much cheaper rate. I also know of people in the area of my hometown of Columbia MS, just 80 miles north of the Gulf Coast that have FEMA trailers sitting in their yards that are not being used for housing..... What a waste and people on the coast are still waiting for housing

CAN'T "WE THE PEOPLE" AUDIT THE GOVERMENT JUST LIKE THEY AUDIT US IF SOMETHING SEEMS FOUL! BECAUSE THIS WHOLE THING SMELLS OF ROTTING FISH, AND ITS A SHAME THAT WE HAVE TO RELY ON POLITICIANS TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT EFFECT AN ENTIRE REGION. THEY SHOULD LET THE "WE THE PEOPLE" VOTE ON DECISIONS THAT EFFECT OUR POCKETS OR MAYBE REGULAR COMMONERS SHOULD MAKE THE FINANCAIL DECISIONS FOR OUR GOVERNMENT BECAUSE "WE THE PEOPLE" LIVE IN THE REAL WORLD!

Here is an idea.... Let's watch what we spend.... I wish I could get away with spending like the government!! If anybody tried to, they would ge locked up in prison and then a mental hospital!

I was a firefighter deployed to assist with the disaster. I worked the Blue Roof Operation with the US Army Corp of Engineers. We worked in Louisiana, however the same protocol for the mission were followed everywhere.

Basically, the entire mission was to keep water out of the living space. It frustrates me to see the above comment as this person is obviously bashing the goverment blindly, without knowing the entire story.

Some people did not meet the requirements of the tarps. I felt heartbroken to turn someone down for a FEMA tarp, but understood why. I helped as much as I could and only wish I could do more.

The entire Blue Roof Mission was very good. I will tell you now that everything was documented and all tarps being put on were audited. We inspected the tarps and precisely measured how much tarp was put on. We made sure the contracters were paid for the work they did, not what they said they did. All in all, it was a very thought out process, and the government spend only what they had to spend. Kudos FEMA and the Corp!

It truly saddens me to see people complain about things like this. Over and over again I heard "Where is FEMA?"..."Why isnt FEMA helping me?". But the same people saying this had Blue Roofs and didnt realize FEMA helped them. Its a pity.

It's clear many suppliers should be jailed rather than paid. Unfortunately, the crooks within government will protect the crooks outside government. There is a crying need to clean up massive government corruption in this country. Are there no honest people running our governments ??

Who can we vote for? Both of the major parties are full of crooks who buy votes by playing to special interests which are often at odds with the good of the public as a whole.

I voted for a third party during the last election cycle but unless many more Americans give up on the Democrat/Republican crooks nothing will substaitively change. The Democrats blame the Republicans and vice versa. When the Democrats were in charge the Republicans made fun of wasteful spending but now that the Republicans have power they are spending even more.

Why has no one explored the "coincidence" that one of the contractors that is overcharging the US taxpayer is the Shaw Group whose CEO contributed money heavily to and politcal muscle into Blanco's campaign for governor? This story needs be told. Calling Chris Matthews!

This is really unbelievable, but somehow it doesn't surprise me. I understand that in emergency situations things need to be done quickly and there is not time to "bid things out," but this is crazy! This is a golden opportunity for our elected officials (local, state and national). Our govt. officials need to prepare/plan ahead and have disaster plans in order. I mean there should already be some contracts in place to provide emergency housing/schools/tarps etc., after an emergency of this order. It may not be a perfect plan, but the more preparation and the more in place prior to a disaster will speed recovery efforts as well as help keep costs in check.
Please those in charge in D.C. - remember the lesson of Katrina (and Rita and Wilma) and think ahead. GET ON THE BALL! Something of this magnitude may eventually happen again, lets not be caught unprepared.

Mary,

Ya'll have channel 13. They sure act like Hancock County is the stepchild there. MSNBC has "adopted" sort of, Bay St. Louis and Waveland. Can't we have anything. Have you been to Bay/Waveland? There is hardly anything left here. We are for sure, Ground Zero! The national news for months played nothing but New Orleans and Biloxi. THANKS MSNBC FOR GIVING US A VOICE!!!!!

Hello, We need to know the truth no mater how much hurts our politicains need to go from Washington down to local the mind set is out of touch with all tax payers they keep letting the rich get richer and our backs just raise taxes cut the most important programs they speed thier time of a culture of corruption everyone nothing has changed just getting worst i may seem hard to believe open up your ears and eyes we cannot live with a goverment like this they cannot agree on doing the right decision they have teir on personnel agenda and the tax payers is not not their agenda waste waste they are GREADDY people self centered no integrity none they want to rewrite the constution to benfit their GREED WE the peolpe voted them in NOW it's time to vote them all out clean all the houses out We were once the strong nation now all nations will kill americans burn our flags spit on our soliders and We hace a corruption in all goverment agenices it's sick sad we must turn our nation in the right dirrection to serve the people not just the rich no one ever gets fired what ever they do or do not do the crooines they hire only their friends so nothing ever changes Please American get out and VOTE that is one right they din't take away yet some people thing one crook is just as bad as the one in office now so what vote the bad apples out and if the new ones bad vote him or her out WE NEED to vote and make America the nation it was one time put term limits back they are not meant to be life time jobs that is our problem the corruption just read the paper and tv news we are in very big trouble and we have no protection no one to turn their all on the take and the Alaska oil deal what a jokw they think we our stupid and they can do what ever they want and we cannot do anything about it think again VOTE THEM OUT we need a change $2,000 to put a tarp on the roof with all the local people out of work and some outfit from Alaska comes down they spend crazy and raise our taxes business as usual.And they wanted to impeach Mr Clinton that joke cost hundreds of million and we get nothing higher taxes to pay their royal style lifestyle Please God Bless America.

it's enough to make you sick...almost not proud to be an American...waste SUCKS!!!!! why does this go on and on? ..don't matter whitch party...it seems to be the same ..and that is truley SAD!!!

'Yer doin' a heck of a job Brownie, er, I mean Chertoff'

A $100 tarp, reality. A no bid contract with FEMA, priceless.

Never thought I'd see my insurance company, State Farm, this slow. They finally sent someone to look at
my damage three days ago (almost four months after the
storm). Maybe they only had one adjuster to go around to their clients in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Two and a half weeks ago, someone finally called from their district office wanting to know about my damage, and I told him. I also added that the cost to make repairs may increase, because I was waiting for my roof to leak more and cause my ceiling to collapse. He said they were waiting on an estimate from me, which my wife had carried to them two months previous. Took another two weeks to get someone from them to come look at my house. If I was this late in paying my premiums, my insurance would be cancelled.
Then to top it all off, their estimate was 25% of what mine was. Of course, they did say that if it cost more, then they would pay another $2500, but I first had to let them know about it, get someone to do the work with my paying for the repairs, and then they would reimburse me. I'll be looking for a new insurance company after 20+ years with State Farm.

Holy Crap they have BLUE MONEY down there?

Please, Please, The people in the gulf area was not prepared for this kind of thing and if they are not why should the government be. would you be I don't think so.
We all look at the past there is no way of predicting what the weather is going to do or how bad a hurricane or any other storm is going to be until after the damage is done.
I myself feel the government needs to do what ever they can to help all of the people no matter what it takes or where. Who knows it may be you the next time around.
As to cost the government is spending. Go price RV trailors. 14,000. is not bad at all and FEMA did not have many sitting around before this last Hurricane season.
We all need to do as much as we can instead of sitting around complaining what are government is doing.

To Mary in Jackson County:

The title of this feature is "Rising from Ruin: TWO towns rebuild after Katrina" Two towns...BSL and Waveland...Hancock County...get it?

What are you people complaining for? You voted this pathetic bunch in! Did you really think the republicans cared about you? How could they, when you have one of the biggest crooks in charge! (Chaney)
remember Halliburton?

If the writer of this story was in the bussiness of swaying your opinion...I'd say most bought it hook, line and sinker. Waste spending sucks...making conclusions on half truths and incomplete facts is worse. Of course, we do live in a society where we make voting decisions based on the best TV ads. WE (THE WORKING CLASS) LET THE MEGA WEALTHY RUN OUR GOVERNMENT, OUR LIVES AND OUR MINDS. Before you blog...research. Overpriced classroom for childhood education=good. Not providing proper education to the children of New Orleans for the past fifty years=bad. This region has always been in your pocket America...and there are hundreds more just like it across the country. Most of you just didn't feel it until your SUV fuel cost doubled. Shut up, research, act, repeat.

Welcome to america land of the not so free and home of the waste full. i have never bin to the affected areas of catrina to see if the people there are truly lazy but i do know how goverment contractors like to work they wanna do as little as possible complain the loudest and get paid lots fo money.. why well because there goverment workers. personaly i like it back in the mideaval ages were if the politacol leaders screwed up. he got his head choppped off and some one else put in his place. whish we could do that now i am sure that would get the lazy of there ass and the accountabilty back to were it needs to be. cause the first person to say "not my job " or " i dont know" BANG head chopped off. just my thoughts ~shrug~

The same people now complaining elected the fool! try to discuss the situation and the dyed in the wool Republicans just refuse to see what stares them in the face!

I am not going to sit here and defend FEMA, but the comments I have read on this website are ridiculuous. The "crooks" in the Government. Are you kidding!!

For those of you not here, you don't understand what is happening. It is hard to find housing, workers, supplies, materials (sheet rock and tarps), and the traffic is horrible. The cornerstone of the local economy was New Orleans...population reduced by 80%!!! Home Depot, Lowes, and others could never keep up if the out of state contractors were not bringing the supplies/materials with them. That costs money. Business men and women need to make money doing something or they will do something else.

Everthing is more expensive. I don't think our Government is a bunch of thieves. I think they are overwhelmed. I think it is FEMA's senior leadership that is to blame. They continue to work in their broken system instead of asking for help. They continue to pat themselves on the back for small victories instead of facing the reality: people are living in tents and it is Christmas!

This NO BID administration disgusts me! for 30,000 bucks you can buy a 14x70 foot 2 bed 2 bath mobile home. Rent an acre lot for 150.oo (3,600 for 2 years) a month and put in utilities including septic for 6,000, total? For 42,000 grand. RIP OFF! RIP OFF RIP OFF,
I live in a mobile home that was built in Arkansas with is a whole lot closer than Alaska!
I'll be glad when this NO BID adminstration leaves in 06.

I watch these trailers go by my office everyday on railroad cars and know they are needed in the South. My cubilce neighbor told me that often times natural gas lines are hooked up directly to the trailers, rather than having propane tanks. You would think someone would cost save the trailers via the excess propane tanks when natural gas line are is option.

Yes, get out and vote and vote Democrat. Yes, all politicians are corrupted by the nature of the system. But, when we have all three branches of government run by one corrupt party (and when Alito is confirmed to the Supreme Court we will have that), the absolute power corrupts absolutely. It is very important that we have checks and balances to live in a Democracy. We are bordering on Totalitarian rule right now, and the response to Katrina is just the tip of the iceberg. Vote for Democrats so that we again have a shot at living in a Democracy.

With this type of waste in our government spending, think of the good this money could do if applied to the millions of our countrymen who in this modern, hi-tech age are homeless and without any medical insurance and are unable to afford to their prescription drugs. Go figure

If you want something royally screwed up-then just let our illustrious incompetent Washington officials be involved as it relates to the Katrina fiasco! They still really believe it was all a dream and will just wither away.

I wish the media would give continual coverage of these types of stories. It certainly would spark my interest and improve the media's ratings and maybe even result in some accountability.

Wastefull spending, and we wonder why this country is so far into debt.Get rid of FEMA.To many chiefs not enough indians and to many bad decisions.

I understand that the article speaks to the "$600 toilet", but I would like to address the comments about paying $2500 per roof for work that takes no more than 90 minutes...I can only intelligently speak to "Operation Blue Roof" of all of the things mentioned in this article because my brother works for a contractor who has been hired by FEMA to do the work. I don't intend to defend my brother, but to clarify exactly what the $2500 "a pop" is paying for. It includes the sacrifices the laborers are making to do these jobs and the health risk that they have taken, and for that lone, he has earned every penny he has been paid. He voluntarily left his family to help with the blue tarp efforts in September and has only been back twice. He was immunized (twice) against a dozen things we would only expect to see in a third-world-country, yet has spent most of his days freezing cold and pretty sick. The contractor for which he works has paid most of his expenses (including housing in temporary trailers and some food) as there are very few places to stay, and in the beginning, there was no other way to get food unless it was arranged for them.

To complicate the situation, there is a monumentally important thing called "supply and demand", and in the situation of the Blue Tarps, local contractors weren't available to get the jobs done in a lot of cases, so guys were "shipped in" to do the work.

In addition, I think it's important to note that though it might be costing me, as a taxpayer, $2500 each roof, we need to understand that, as a homeowner, Operation Blue Tarp will allow me to actually save money in insurance premiums because the purpose is to mitigate further damage- further damage that my and your insurance company would have otherwise paid for.

Sorry everyone but I disagree with most of you. During the 2004 hurricane season my house was at the crossroads of three: Charlie, Frances and Jeanne. My insurance company let me down. FEMA was there to assist to get repairs done which amounted to over $16,000. They were a blessing and could not thank them enough.

The contractor hired by Nationwide charged $800.00 for a $40.00 tarp. Got a check from insurance that didn't even cover the roof repair.

Why are we suprised people. The government rapes the public with wasteful spending EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!!!
Why are we suprised that contracts go to polictical supporters without bidding? Why are we suprised people??
They say that the government is for the people and by the people....maybe in fantasy land!
what power do we have as citizens other than to take it???
The government breaks laws that THEY CREATE everyday....does anyone pay for it??
get real....

HOORAY TO FEMA MR.PRESIDENT AND ALL REPUBLICAN THANKS WE HAVE THOUSAND OF PEOPLE LIVING IN TENTS, TRAILERS, AND HOTELS ALL OVER THE WORLD YOU MUST BE PROUD YOU HAVE SERVICED THIS COUNTRY NOT!!!!! GOD IS NOT HAPPY WITH HOW COUNTLESS OF AMERICANS ARE BEING TREATED!! GET OFF OF YOUR HIGH HORSES AND DO SOMETHING QUICK!!!!

Maybe this is why the trailers for the school cost so much: School was due to start Nov. 1st, weeks and weeks after all the other schools on the coast. The week or so before school was to start... there were only 6 trailers and one or two installers. Just so happens that a reporter who had talked with the school administrator, challenged a white house rep during a televised open mike press conference on the progress FEMA was making on the gulf coast, citing the lack of trailers one week or so before the start of school, in Hancock county. The trailers were to have been delivered and installed 2 or 3 weeks earlier. The conference was on Friday morning. Strange thing happened: On Saturday night, trailers started appearing and work crews were installing round the clock. People from Washington were calling to check on the progress of the installation. Seems to me... someone dropped the ball when ordering or delivering the trailers, early on... and then folks worked really hard to cover up the lack of progress...which could explain the premium on the cost of the trailers. You got to deliver them overnight... it will cost more.
Mismanagement. Poor coordination. I don't know. But don't blame Hancock County. They were calling and asking about the trailers for weeks...were told, they were being provided based on priorities that had ranked deliveries. Seems like Hancock county, ground zero, wasn't a priority until it looked like a big potential press "field day" was coming on Monday morning.

I wonder who dropped the ball? Investigate that.

I, for one, am glad that these kids finally got to go back to school. I

No Shame,No Morals=Greed,Graft,Corruption=The United States Government!

George W. Bush. Everytime I see his face on television, I shake my head and ask myself, "How did this guy get to be our president."

And then I say, "How did he get re-elected?'

As a former business man and now a college professor, a dye-in-the-wool republican, I just can't get over the fact this guy couldn't KEEP a real job.

Look at his fruits: the country is NOT safer, the budget is now in deficit, he can't pick competent people to lead the critical areas of his administration, whether its post-war in Iraq, FEMA, nominees for the supreme court.

This simple thinking president in a world of complexity. The emperior has no clothes. The ongoling disgrace in FEMA is simply business as usual for this administration.

This is only the tip of the iceberg. George Bush and his political cronies are enriching themselves at the expense of thousands of local and regional firms that can do this business. The guy went to Harvard B-School. They don't teach doing no-bid contracts at Harvard. His presidency is just one giant shakedown of the American taxpayers so the corporate and political elite can just get richer. He ought to be impeached.

Everyone is outraged by the revelations of wasteful government spending? Contracts awarded with no bids? A Director of FEMA who's not qualified? Supreme Court nominations of people more capable of being a secretary than a judge, someone opposed to basic American freedoms? Aghast at orruption, disregard of the Constitutional law of privacy for American citizens? We get what we deserve when we elect (and re-elect) a president. Americans asked for this in November 2000 and November 2004.

After my first post I had to come back!
I once saw 2 Habitat for Humanity homes built in 1 weekend. Cute little 2 bedrooms with a piece of land. The smiles on the faces of the new owners was priceless.
FEMA is paying $175,000 for a family of 4 to live on a cruise ship for 6 months, what a waste! Had they built homes, the people would be paying about the same as rent, and their payments would have gone back into the FEMA coffers. Oh but gee that would have let many poor people become homeowners and homeowners eventually end up part of the middle class, and we wouldn't want that!
Some survivors are living in their cars 4 1/2 months after Katrina!
SHAME SHAME SHAME
When you sit down with you family for Christmas dinner think about how truly lucky you are.

I sincerely hope you're not a "college professor" of grammar and composition, R. Clark of SD!

This thread speaks volumes on the "entitlement mentality" that's settled into American society. Our political leaders did not bring on these natural disasters, yet they are doing their collective best to help those affected. There are many hard-working Louisianans and Mississipians trying to rebuild their lives after this disaster. Unfortunately, for every one of them, there are hundreds of Americans who believe the horn of plenty can never be empty, without ever lifting a finger on their own.

Instead of incessantly whining, how about you do something about the problem? You're a businessman, right? How about bidding $250 per house on the FEMA contract for its "Blue Tarp" program? Then, when you realize it's costing you $2,000 per house because you have to move in external labor, truck in every supply and then pay for your workforce's living expenses, you can write off the $1,750 delta as a charitable contribution?

By experience I have learned that when the goverment is corrupted and ineficient, also its institutions are.

I don't know which is worse. The government's ineptitude at handling anything anymore, or the complete lack of intelligence by ALL people in New Orleans (civilians, police, mayor...)that decided they would live in a city that sits under sea level, let alone decide to ride out a category 3 hurricane in it. The same people sitting at the convention center with their hand out for help were standing in a welfare line a month before with their same hand out. A year from now they will still have that hand out. It is not a race issue. It is an issue of getting off your butts. Do America a favor New Orleans, bulldoze that pork barrel of a city you call home and put it up on higher ground so we don't have to hear y'all complain the next time around.

Katrina, is going to retire a lot of people as millions????????

I agree that help needs be handled faster. Everyone knows that any "Government" agency overspends for stuff. Of course, most people in the public complain when they don't get taken care of. I can't understand why anyone would wait around for FEMA or the Government to clean their own house. Quit being so damn lazy and provide the manpower yourselves.

Let's see, you complain that you don't have a job and no one will clean up your neighborhood or homes.....DUHHHH!!!! Do it yourselves......

I am amazed at so many negative comments on the government response to Katrina. I wonder how many of these bloggers have done anything to help except write these negative letters. I personally have spent time in the hurricane hit areas and the people I have spoken with were very happy to get the trailers and blue tops. After reading these comments, I have noticed that the only comments that are pro FEMA happen to be from the people living in the disaster area. It is so easy for someone to sit back and listen to the liberal media and write something negative about something they have no actual first hand experience about. Before you knock FEMA, how about getting down to the disaster area and work and help the people affected and get the real scoop about how much FEMA has helped these people.

Why are people surprize and all the wasted funds? Remember we have a President that choses not to read newspapers, listen to news broadcasts, and only listen to people who agree with him. We have had do nothings in office before but at least they were informed about conditions. This President is reieniscent of Marie Antonette "Let them eat cake".

aaahhh yes.. We just keep wasting more and more money and people keep suffering what a shame.. I guess that what we get for putting the MOST ignorant President in history in the White House. That's a bigger shame...

Suckers, you get what you voted for.

Instead of putting people up on cruise ships for such expensive ammounts, they should just get home builders to come in and build them brand new homes-- it would be much cheaper.
Things are not much better in my neck of the woods (the New Orleans area). We just received walls in our downstairs that was destroyed from flooding. My landlord had no flood insurance, and I have been having to replace every item lost myself (including appliances, furniture, etc.) and did not receive a single dime from FEMA. I have had to live out of my 10x10 foot bedroom, using my bathroom as my kitchen, and have had to cook only with my microwave and crock pot (microwavable food is expensive!) I am ALOT better off than so many others though- I have a bed (not much else) but at least a bed. This place was considered unlivable, but I have had to live here (amid the mold, stench, etc.) due to having nowhere else to go. Where is FEMA for me? And one article stated those on cruise ships get room service?? I am lucky some days when I even get to eat at all! I am appauled by the waste of our government, and if they want to help people, please have them send me something! I could certainly put a tarp on roofs (tarps around here are about 25 dollars per tarp).

I am ashamed of my government right about now. When I am down and out, they spend so much on cruise ships, over priced tarps, and so much more, and all I ask for is help from them and I get nothing.

What a waste.

In response to Darwin White, of Cleveland, TN:

I am not too pleased with FEMA, nor are many in my area (the New Orleans area). The Federal Government built, maintained and owned the levees that broke, but now they are not sure they want to do anything other than make them pre-katrina strength. (Some good that did us). As for FEMA-- I received not one dime-- the reasons why varies depending on which operator I get on the phone. When I applied from a motel room in Texas, they asked what damage I received. I said "I do not know- I only know that someone living two doors down from me evacuated when the water was already a few inches into the building (townhouses, all units have a first and second floor). So I know I at least got anywhere from three to six inches of water in the house, and he said the water was still rising. What damage, I do not know, but I am sure I lost my downstairs."

The operator typing up my application put on my application "no damage". So a month into it that was figured out, so I had to fax them proof of my address (my drivers license), as well as a statement stating that I had damage. Then I called three weeks later, and found out that they had not "processed that information yet". Then I called a week later, and was told that they have to send out an inspector. Then I waited two weeks, called back again to find out that "due to their being other tenants at that address" I was not eligible for assistance. Figured out they failed to put what unit I lived in so they had several families all listed under one address, not as individual households since I rent my own townhouse, and there are four INDIVIDUAL townhouses in this building.

Then two weeks later I called back and was told "the inspectors could not find your address and therefore your application is being denied." So because they could not find me I was being denied help???

So, we are now going on four months into this, and still nothing. I am fortunate that a stranger bought me a new stove so I will soon be able to cook food, but I lost other appliances, as well as all of my furniture and.. Heck, everything in my entire kitchen, livingroom, laundry room and downstairs bathroom!!

I would not have even applied for FEMA assistance had my President not gotten on TV and looked me in my eye and promised me $2000 in assistance to help me. I feel it was my fault for not having renters insurance, and my landlords fault for not having flood insurance. However, the Levees were federal property, built by, maintained by (or lack thereof), and owned by the federal government. So damage due to their breaks should be covered by the federal government.

I do not want a hand out from the government. I want a hand up, when I am in the darkest of days I have ever seen in my life.

I have nothing good to say about FEMA at this point. Maybe by next year at this time, after I have been able to rebuild my life all by myself, FEMA will finally give me some help-- a case of too little too late for me.

I am very disappointed by the government's response-- on all levels- local, state, and federal.

I worked for a sub-contractor doing hurricane clean up. Though I was originally supposed to report to work in New Orleans at the last minute I was redirected to Miami to supervise a crew there--the reason being that there was so much bureaucratic nonsence going on in NO that people and trucks were waiting for days and weeks to get checked in to work and then not necessarily being given work (we were to get paid by the cubic yard of debries hauled to the dump site).
Since many subcontractors had invested in equipment and other overhead for the purpose of this work and could not afford to sit idle for very long some of them redeployed to Dade County to clean up behind Hurricane Wilma. This work was supposed to last at least 2 months...but it was more like 2 weeks. People who went there lost money in the effort.

When we returned to NO we found that many of the work teams had left or were sitting idle because they had not been paid. This money was supposed to have been paid by FEMA to prime contractors, who in turn would pay their sub contractors. Well either FEMA was not paying or the prime contractors were sitting on their money, though I suspect that the problem was with FEMA.

Two people who had some better knowledge than I both told me that FEMA was out of money...and considering how they spent it, that is no wonder.

As far as $100 tarps versus $2,500 ones, the truth lies somewhere inbetween. The same with the trailers. Considering the time that has elapse and the logistical issues involved this whole affair could have been handled much more cost efficiently. There are individuals who have never set foot in NO or Mississipi who have lined their pockets in an obscene manner. The government signed no-bid contracts with cronie organizations and persons who were unable to respond to the needs at anywhere near the efficiency of smaller local and regional organizations. This idea that the national gov't had to take care of everything is a crock. Had they simply focused on coordinating and funding local and regional resources this whole mess would be much further along and for a lot less money and hardship.

There are people and organizations that benefit disproportionately whenever there is some crisis that can be used as an excuse to do the no-bid thing and it is because they have cultivated their political ties regardless of the competitive substance behind them. We as Americans have a serious issue on our hands and it is time to wake up to it. The one thing they can't manipulate is a groundswell of public opinion and the power of the ballot box.

Well first off the clean up crews and the blue roof crews that are actually doing the work are not making the $$ that is going down there. the BIG companies ECC,Phillips Jordan,Horizon,Ceres These companies are making the BIG $$ while giving the hard working crews that went to this area to help the people of the area recover receive pennies in comparison with these govt contractors. Our crew has been in NOLA since Oct 8th and while there we have recieved PAYCUTS after PAYCUTS and like many of the crews we have mortaged and borrowed LOTS of money for equipment to help and are to broke to leave while staying puts us farther in debt.I foresee a lot of lawsuits in the future for this most disorganized mess that the Govt has created.
While Ive seen QAs who write debri tickets actually making 1500 a day while 10 man crews are lucky to make this amount has a whole. Ive seen Discrimination by the USACE in Our black drivers get worse cuts at the dumps than our White drivers.
While PnJ and ECC and Ceres make profit upwards of 20.00 a yard the crews actually collecting and cleaning and doing the work are making a lousy 6.00 a yard to load haul and clean the debris up.
Ive seen Crews actually fighting over a pile of trash here.These blue roofs that cost 2500 well ask the actually guys putting them on they make about 200.00 per house the companies with the contracts are making the other 2300.00 in profit.And these floating ships that cost us 200 million are being used by you guessed it Fema employees and not victims they sit at the docks with a 40% occupancy So I ask why isnt the 55 year old in the less popular or affluent areas on these boats in the empty rooms after all we the taxpayers have paid for it. You America has NO IDEA at just how dirty and wrong the STorm bussiness is. WAKE UP AMERICA STOP MAKING THE RICH EVEN RICHER

I've never really been witness to so-called overspending by the U.S. Gov't but recently I had an excellent opportunity to make A LOT of money working for one of the 4 no-bid prime contractors. Yes, it was a conflict of interest!!! Once I started to trace everything down as far as the FEMA trailers being installed goes. There is no way to stop it... Everything is put into place, as if it is habit, (overseas Iraq-Afgahni rebuilding efforts). I ask questions, I get the same things repeated straight from a book or manual. Yes, there is definitely wasteful spending, duplications of funds, there are really 5 inspectors meeting at the same trailer, you drive by a trailer being installed and you see at least 10 green shirts standing there, 2 more doing the work, I've heard these guys get paid $22 an hour (Which is billed to the gov't 3-4 times the amount $88.00 /hr). It's no longer toilet seats & hammers, it's in the people, which are being taxed rediculously as well because of major overtime, it's a win-win for gov't, prime, & laborer (mostly from out of state). I would love to share details, but I would lose my anonymity. But, if the right people look, and look hard enough, and trace the steps of at least 200 random trailers from the manufacturer to the resident actually living in the trailer from beginning to finish, they would see it. For anybody defending these contractors & the gov't that hands them the money, what are your motives?

Y'all down south there:

Remember that your states put Bush in office. The Republicans could care less about you. They're too busy golfing and hanging out with their multimillionaire contributors to be bothered with the likes of you.

Next time consider voting Democratic. They're the party that gave the first hoot about average American citizens.

If Clinton were in office this never would have happened.

All these opinions make me forget my own ignorance.
I have the only solution which is,shut down FEMA and
every federal program that wants to be everybodys
daddy.Then let people do all they can for themselves
before their elected congressman takes their case to
the top.Then they would even bother to vote.

It is truly amazing how the "bleeding" heart liberals point the figure at the current administration for failures in the Katrina aftermath, lamenting how much better a democrat could have handled it. Well, how well did the Governor of Louisiana and the Mayor of New Orleans handle the situation. I believe that gives a fair assessment. In reality, republican or democrat, no leader would have predicted this type of devastation. We have all been living with our heads buried in the sand. A megadose of reality was heaped upon the gulf coast and, ultimately, the nation. Individuals as well as the government bear the burden of recovering. It is foolish and arrogant to think that the government, alone, is responsible for everything.
Living along any coast line or any large body of water is a risky venture...
We should all consider our current situations and prepare for the future while learning upon the lessons of the past. Get over it...move on...adapt...and overcome. Imagine life in the U.S. during the Civil War or during other times of devastation...We can prevail but the "handout" mentality must cease. Many other Americans living throughout the United States suffer the loss of homes, loved ones, etc...every day.The fact that so many loss so much at one time does not diminish the losses elsewhere in America by other Americans...they too must move on.
Clinton would have faired no better...in reality only the upper echelon changes politically the policies and base personnel remain the same. The practices of FEMA and other agencies remain virtually the same regardless of the administration. Clinton was fortunate he never confronted such crises in his tenure. We will never know how he would have handled it.
God Bless the People of Mississippi and Louisiana. My significant other spent 19 days deployed in the region.
Take Care and Good Luck....

One can only hope that despite all the greed, corruption and whatnot going on down there, that there is plenty of good going on as well. Let's praise and support the do-gooders and those who need it, and take care of the rest.... This is a battle I believe we can win!
PS-I'm not one of the stereotypical 'softies' from up this way, but a transplant from the South who'd really like to tear into some of those crooks that are hurting those in need.

In response to: Bert Anderson, Nashville, Tennessee:

I voted for Clinton, and then Bush. I am registered as a Republican, but vote on who seems to at least know what platform they stand for (Kerry swayed with the wind- get someone worthy and I will vote for him or her).

With that said, both Democrats and Republicans have failed when it comes to the levees of New Orleans. THe levees were built years ago, and under Clinton's administration, the scientists were telling Clinton and his people that we are losing valuable wetlands, swamplands, and that the levees would not withstand possibly even a category three hurricane. He did nothing. Then Bush came in, and those whose career is about doing nothing but compiling the facts concerning the gulf coastline, told Bush and his people that the levees were not up to the proper standards (one levee system had not even been measured for ten years, and the area sinks at about 1 to 3 inches per year in settling as we are on a delta, which is sediment, and settles a little bit every year.) However there was money set aside to measure the levees. But that money was spent on pet projects and not spent on measuring the levees. So both Clinton and Bush had fair warning that this would happen in the New Orleans area. The levees are federal property, owned, and mainatained by the federal government. It failed. So why shouldn't the federal government pay to fix it? If you own property and do not maintain it, and something from your property fails and destroys your neighbor's home, you would be responsible for fixing the damage. Likewise- it was the government property, and the government's neglect that caused this in New Orleans.

I am not receiving a dime from FEMA or any other agency- I take responsibility for my own neglect- I did not have renter's insurance. My fault (I am a full time university student and I am disabled- I am not able to work right now due to that, but am working on getting a degree so I can at least get a job-- all on student loans, no handouts.)

The point is this: I NEED HELP. Bush promised, on national TV, each person effected by Katrina, some aid. Why is he not keeping his promise to the people? Do you know how hard it is, when on disability, to replace a refrigerator, stove, washer and dryer, not to mention furniture, TV, and irreplacable photos, and mementos that were in my downstairs when it flooded?

Luckily I had a friend who ordered me a stove so I can at least quit cooking with a microwave (which gets very expensive). I am doing this all on my own money, and am expected to pay rent on top of it all.

I will survive, and as soon as I get my degree in one year, I am moving out of the area. I refuse to rebuild my life over and over and over.

FEMA failed. The US Government failed. The only people who are the heros, are the average citizens who donated their time, money, and their efforts to help everyone on the entire gulf coast.

And each one of you are heros who will NEVER be forgotten. Now, back to working on my downstairs-- I will celebrate when I at least have a livable place.

Thanks all for listening.

It's Time (past time) for a clean sweep in Gov't. We can't even get the medicine we need and they throw money away like this. Follow my advice.....NEVER RE-ELECT ANYONE. The inmates are certainly running the assylum.

I never thought to compare our Govt. and elected officials to those corrupt ones in other countries.

Does anyone know if there is a link between the fact that an Alaska company has been over paid millions for school portacabins and the fact that the Alaska Wildlife/oil drilling deal is all bunched together in the upcoming bill???????? Just coincidence I'm sure??????

If you want to solve the problem, get out and vote.
There’s a piece of paper out that say “we the people”. Unless everyone votes than its all about the Benjamin’s.
When you vote, vote for the other party, regardless of who they are. And if that doesn’t solve the problem next election do it again.
There are more than two parties out. Maybe its time to look at the one’s that doesn’t promise something for nothing.

This disaster shows that mother nature can fight back when it wants to. What do you expect to happen when a city is below sea level. People take chances everyday of their lives, even when we go to our bathrooms. People never were suppose to live in this area but did so and now the blaming starts.:< Well the blame should be put on everyone! Until everyone realizes that then you can get on with your lives alot faster.

STOP WASTING ALL THIS MONEY WITH TEMP HOUSING! BUY AS MANY HOMES AS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAMILIES! IT WILL BE CHEAPER THAN THE CRUISE LINES AND OTHER MINDLESS IDEAS FOR HOUSING! PLUS IT WILL HELP STIMULATE THE ECONOMY AND THE HOUSING MARKET AT THE SAME TIME! STOP WASTING MONEY! IT STILL (IF YOU BUREAUCRATS FORGOT!) DOESN'T GROW ON TREES!

Amadeus... This story is about Bay St. Louis and Waveland Mississippi. Not about New Orleans, Louisiana. Parts of New Orleans are below sea level. Bay ST. Louis is one of the highest points on the whole Gulf of Mexico. There are parts of the Bay that are 35 feet ABOVE sea level. The storm surge, however, was 35 feet and then the waves, 4-5 of them, were 7 feet on top of that... let's see, that makes 42 feet. How tall is your house? How high about sea level is it? This was a storm of storms... a thousand year storm. People have been living in this area, first indians, then the French settlers for centuries. Historic homes, several hundreds of years old were destroyed. People are getting on with it... but it helps to clearly understand the situation that the MISSISSIPPI coast is in. They are not below sea level....that's just silly. Can you imagine levees stretching the length of the whole coast?

I can not believe all the belly aching and whining coming from those that don't even live in the areas affected by Katrina. How it became the President and his staff's fault for all the wrongdoings is beyond me. A natural disaster occured in the form of a monstrous hurricane, one that the experts couldn't even believe could be as big and devastating as it was and yet, so many holler out "It's President Bush's fault again!!" Now tell me, what logic is in that? Yes, help didn't arrive as soon as everyone would have liked. Yes, the amount of destruction caused by Katrina was immense and trying to get to those ravaged areas was an expedition in itself...washed out roads, debris covered roads, and flooded roads to name a few. Did you expect all help to magically grow wings and fly over it all and land just where it was needed? I don't understand the reasoning behind FEMA's spending and choices either, but being as I don't have the information and responsibility that was given to them, I will just shake my head and pray that they learn from this and make better choices next time. Am I just living in a fantasy world? No, but you have to think that given all the turmoil that Katrina caused & the aftermath of actions/non-actions taken, there is still hope, that this is still America complete with all the good and bad. Complain if you want, but if you want changes then get out and vote, write to your congressman, make your voices be heard in a way that can and will make changes. Sitting on your tailfeathers at a keyboard or griping with your buddies over coffee before work does great for stress relief but when it comes to real changes it doesn't quite get it accomplished. My mom lives in Mobile,and although that city was not hit as hard as the rest of the gulf and Louisiana, it still took a punch or two. Her place was flooded, they were sent to live elsewhere while repairs were being made(which as she asked "Just where are we supposed to go with all hotels, motels, inns, and the like filled up with people from the rest of the coast?") One week before Christmas she was finally allowed back in her place (actually, she just went back) but not after 3 months of living in a motel at the cost of about $4500. Insurance may or may not pay.FEMA may or may not pay either. So I do know somewhat of the difficulties that encompass the residents of those areas. Let's get out and get our voices heard in a way that will accomplish what we want. But, if you decide to "let the other guy do it" and nothing changes...do us all a favor and be quiet or move. But good luck finding a country that gives you all the freedoms and options that you have or can find here, if you are willing to actually work at it.

Hey Mary. Please read the explanation of what this website is. It IS only Hancock County. Always has been. Thank heavens for it. I can keep up with my hometown, and regularly email links to others so that nobody forgets.

hi, im ronald gaspard looking for work delivering fema travel trailors are setting them up. can you please help me .

Why do we allow people to live in the floodplain? Throw out the FEMA 100 and 500 year floodmaps-they are no longer valid with the climate change we are experiencing. I believe that what you are seeing is a reconfiguration of the coastal area(s). Maybe all the footdragging is not such a bad thing. Why would you as a floodplain dweller want to move back in only to have to go through the same grief again next year? I say move all the coastal cities inland using a relief/elevation map as the guide and save all of us the grief and money it costs the rest of us in increased insurance premiums, scams, fraud, and last but not least, taxes.

If this is going on here in the US where we can see it...can you imagine what is going on overseas where we can not? Very scary folks.

I don't know what makes me sicker...this or Justin Timberlake buying a $38,000 watch.

Shakespere was right about what we should do about lawyers and all politicians are indeed lawyers. Lawyers, insurance companies, big banks, big oil and big auto will destroy America. Let's shut Washington down and ship all the crooks to the face of the Sun.

The victims are again being victimized as so are the American taxpayers. With the amount of money, waste and fraud that is abound; the government was better off giving the victims fair market value for their homes, travel and relocation expense and have them to relocate elsewhere. We all know it is a matter of time before the next hurricane strikes with equal or greater force and then it will be deja vu all over again...

Just another fine example of the American people getting the best Government that $$$ can buy...
Remember this: Be careful what you ask for; you just might get it!

When the government of the United States sets an example of stealing from poor to give to the rich, what can America expect.

Please keep in mind that contractors that do the blue tarp installation have no housing, kitchen facilities, bathrooms or sleeping quarters. All most have is a truck with a hammer. We must also consider their "other" expenses. I cant say whether the reports are accurate high or low because I'm not a contractor working states away from home working out of a pickup truck. Are you?

I too am appalled at the way this was managed. My perspective- it went down this way because the management, staffing and support systems in place were insufficient for the scale of the catastrophe. An operation scalable to that level requires much more planning, more people and more money invested up front. That means more tax dollars, although in the end, there should be a payback with better systems and control. You could use volunteers and military reserves for "groundwork", but the infrastructure must be staffed by trained, competent managers- not political appointees. The victims themselves could have done a great deal more to help remediate the situation- and would have been happy to- all for the lack of planning and management skill. I wonder if this wouldn't have gone better as a pure military operation, if they weren't tied up elsewhere. Are you willing to spend the tax dollars now, so that if another disaster of this scale happens, the response is stronger? What do we do with all these folks in the meantime, when there are no disasters?

when are we going to stop talking and put an end to all this fraud. makes me sick to see all the people who really need help -not getting it- while others are getting filthy rich. out government is in disarray and this should be stopped soon. so many pockets being lined while others go hungrey. publish the names of people goudging and stealing gov money.

Why is it everyone blames someone else for thier problems ?Why do we want the government to be totally responsible for our lives? Comments such as "the government & FEMA should have been more prepared to take care of this" is obsurd. We as people are responsible for ourselves, you should never depend on government to rescue you. All that does is make our government even bigger and in more control. Come on people take responsiblity for yourselves and quit blaming other someone or something else. Also, why are we so shocked about waste and rip offs! These are human beings that are doing this, our country , including the everyday citizen, no longer has any morals. And we are the ones that have allowed this. So quit blaming the government for everything and take responsibility!!'

The waste, fraud, blame game involved with this hurricane is appalling. The problem is that everybody wants the government to look after him or her. Most of the people expect the government and TAXPAYERS to foot the bill. I would never get any help....I work for a living, pay for home insurance, help my neighbor and community out if they need help. But I have control...The politicians are so scared they will hurt someone’s feelings, and the press will crucify them that they just throw our hard earned money at the problem, with no oversight, and half of them on the take. It will not do any good to vote differently. They are all the same…a bunch of career politicians that have never worked a day in their life. One more thing…The mayor…Nagan…Boy he is a piece of art.

I can't believe all the complaining about government waste. The ONLY thing goverment can do well is waste money. Always could and always will unless we take back our country. It doesn't matter who heads government departments, it is the mid level managers and day to day employees who actually waste it and the managers do not care so it continues. we need to eliminate about half of the Senators so each State has one senator and reduce the House of Representatives to a manageable size where each state has at least one vote. Then thin out the entire bureaucracy 50% to start. Of course those who want government to do everything for them will need to actually do things themselves. Are you listening New Orleans???!!!

Bottom line, if those involved in the decision making process to shore up the levy's years ago, to make new orleans a safer place in event of a hurrican do so YEARS ago, millions would of been spent, while billions would of been saved. Penny wise and dollar foolish. Just seems that our government doesnt look at the big picture. dont spend a thousand, but waste a million. Shame on those who did not listen

It's no wonder so many people don't trust the government or our elected officials. I haven't seen firsthand any of the hurricane ravaged areas but, from what I am gathering through all the different medias and intenet posting sites etc. it's seems that an ENORMOUS and ASTRONOMICAL amount of of our taxpaying money is being squandered and downright shamefully put to use or into peoples own pockets for their own gain is an absolute OUTRAGE and somehting has to change and if at all possible prosecute the individuals responsible for their misgivings or mistakings to the fullest extent possible SHAME SHAME SHAME

Fraud is against the law and should be prosecuted. There is far to much government waste. The US government must be concerned about the people affected in Katrina from Alabama, Mississippi, through Louisiana. Tax payers should be outraged by the miss handling by sanctioned government people in this national disaster. Further, we've got a serious problem that our leaders in government must solve if money gave to charitable organizations was wasted and not gotten to the people in need. We should be able to trust that money given is used in the way it was meant to be spent to help those in need. It is a terrible travisity when leaders entrusted with the public good don't do the "right thing."

Why did none of these people complaining have insurance? Knowing that they are below sea-level, it is a total mistery to me. I would'nt be able to sleep at night if I did'nt have a plan and protection from catastropic loss, like a majority of these people did. It all comes down to responsiblity for your own actions, and taking preventative measures to protect life and property. It always seems that the people that complain the most about our government and its response, are the people that do the least. But, that is just my opinion.

Cut the supply line of money and go get it back. We are all paying for this disaster isn't time we get something for our money. STOP the PORK BELLY funding and get the REPRESENTIVES from getting funding in there own state. WHAT A WASTE OF THE TAX DOLLAR. Let the local contractors do the work and competitive bidding in less than 7 days would solve the problem. Government spending is out of control but we as a people need to take it back, but how is the question? Stop the flow of money and you stop the waste. SPENDING $1000's of dollars to put a family up on a CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE boat that is outragous.

The person from Broken Arrow, Ok said it pretty well.
When you manage a crisis by crisis management, stuff happens. The bigger the crisis, the bigger the stuff. Since everybody was behinde the power curve, the "profit takers" came out of the woodwork. As they did after 9/11 and just about every other disaster. Sitting at the water cooler saying "gosh; even I could do better" doesn't quite play until you are sitting on the seat with everybody adding wood to the fire and sticking you with sharp pointie things. Everybody made mistakes, the Mayor, the Govenor, the State Legislature and all the way to the big white house on the hill. If people want the presidents blood and got the body of the FEMA Director, what about the local and state folks. Turf wars do not get it done, and worrying about giving up their "positions in the scheme of things" was nothing more than political in-fighting. Folks died just because the upper echelon equivicated and procrastinated. If everybody had been evacuated originally, there wouldn't have been the massive relief effort necessary to rescue those folks who were cut off. Then maybe, there would have been more time/resources to devote to proceedures that might - I say might - have prevented the waste of money/asseets. The State and Local government needed to do their job correctly, for the good of the people and not for their political career. Folks might want to think what their elected officials failed to do -that could have been done - and react accordingly at the next election. Stand up and be counted. Otherwise, sit down and shut up!

It was a common joke, around for many years, about Catholic priests molesting kids. It is also a common joke, around for many years, about how politicians are crooked.

With all of the complaining about what FEMA didnt do and what Bush didnt do..has anyone thought about considering a plan that will involve everyone on how to help in case of another disaster?
In times of crisis, i feel its best to try and see what you can do to help, rather than to place blame. I feel sorry for everyone involved in the FEMA disaster. Including Brown being blamed for something, noone else probably could do. I feel the whole problem was simply lack of planning and lack of preparedness.

It's called a noose,and the cost of the rope to make it is,2.99 for enough to hang 5 politicians,or $800 if your spending taxpayer's money!This is no different than 25 years ago when the media reported the Pentagon had the nerve to report bolt's that cost $.02 at a hardware store,was a bargain at $250, they never did say how much a nut for it would cost?And it's doubtful the people responsible for these crimes will be punished(let alone desist in thier mission of theft and fraud)until the real American spirit rises up and start's a righteous campaign to rid us of these parasites!Hanging them would be justice,but I'd be satisfied if we just incarcerate them in prison,for say,the same amount of time in the same place they'd put a person for being arrested,for say,possession of marijuana.(I'd of said armed robbery,but,we all know that's a much shorter sentence,you know like rape or murder)Anyway these,people and politicians,won't change until they feel personally threatened with their security and livelihood.They'll never hold themselves accountable until they're compelled out of fear to,like potheads.

My husband went to across the country to work in Louisiana. There were no building supplies "in quantity" at Home Depot. They raised there prices too. He worked hard & made the same there as at home. FEMA can't win, first they are not fast enough and then they were too fast. Should have went out for bids, do you know how long that would have taken. They just tried to make everyone happy in a very bad situation. What would you do, leave people in the street so you could save money. I think not.

My family was hit hard during Ivan. My house had 4 trees on it and 4 holes in the roof. living,dining, kitchen, bedroom, and utility room were damaged.my wife and I lived in the den and back bedroom for 1 year as we got our insurance company to schedule repair. then we lived in a hotel for 4 months while the house was being repaired.
the week ivan hit we had prepared for 5 days of food and water. we had a chain saw and some family helped cut our way out of the house.
FEMA was there several days after the hurricane profiding ice, water, MRE's and blue tarps.
I had 15 trees down around my house the insurance took care of the trees on my house but FeMA said they would come and help take down others that were leaning and damaged.
It took FEMA 15 months to come and get the trees but they did come and help.
I think the FEMA Agency worked great. I did not expect FEMA to come and give me water and ice for several days. We are told to have enough supplies to survive for 5 days then help would come.
I never want to go thru this again but I do know that I was pleased with FEMA and think they are doing a great job. I didn't get everything fixed and I'm still working on my yard and some house repairs but 90
% of Ivan distruction has been repaired and for that I am thankful.
American people we can survive and get back to our lives, it just may take some sweat, tears and patience. Now quit complaining and get to work. and FEMA you stop throwing money around carelessly.

Hi, Glad to still be here. I live on