Reporter's Notes

My friend, Fred Phillips, who reads this blog from the heart of Phoenixville, PA., home of picalilly and shoe-fly-pie, has some cogent thoughts on the ongoing FEMA mess.

With regard to the fact that the agency seems to have stopped answering reporters' phone calls Fred says,

"It was not that long ago as young, and still stupid reporters, we faced the same problems of getting information out of agencies and people at all levels. The easiest solution they have is to blame the press. The press, on the other hand, continues to use a velvet glove when they should be saying, you were stupid enough not to comment, this is what you get.

"The public will always believe that the press "makes things up." Whoever coined the phrase, truth is stanger than fiction, was really right on the mark. I only heard one comment recently that no one at FEMA (in the top ranks) had any experience dealing with disasters.

"Next step - Avian virus. We have no vaccine, nothing prepared. FEMA is nothing more than a place to put political hacks to make a buck.

"thus endith the lesson."

Thanks, Fred.

If you think the disaster-heaped-upon-disaster which is Katrina was bad, how about this -- Murphy Oil refused to take cash today. How's that for a lack of confidence in the government? Its money is no good any more.

The kid stopped me as I was pulling in, informing me that only credit cards or Wal-Mart cards were being accepted -- no cash.

Come to think of it, it's not all that surprising when we learn that Wal-Mart had a better disaster plan than did the U.S. government.

Wal-Mart.

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Now that the mea culpas are coming thick and fast (it seems that everyone from the Governor of Louisiana to ol' W. himself is fighting to take blame for the supreme Katrina screw up) it will be interesting to see how George manages to cover himself with both blame and glory at the same time when he addresses the Nation tonight?

Why do I also think this administration would dearly love to prevent people like me from making comments like this?

Consider this; it's the same administration which has trampled on your Fourth Amendment rights. Fourth Amendment? Yep, the one that gaurantees you to be free from unreasonable search and seizure.

Don't believe me?

Just go to an airport and watch the T.S.A. slugs feeling up the women and confiscating nail clippers.

This is America?

Arjay