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Message: <blockquote data-quote="air_upser" data-source="post: 48078">I'll probably regret getting into the middle of this battle between Susie and well...everybody else.  Anyway, in my opinion you are all partially right and partially wrong. Can the Fed do a better job?  I think everyone can agree they can.  Does the fault lie with Bush?  I don't think all the facts are known yet to say. Does FEMA need an anema?  Probably Does the fault lie with State and Local government as well?  I think so.In response to the last post, here is the text from the evacuation order:NOW, THEREFORE, I, as the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, pursuant to the authority granted by La. Rev. Stat. 29:727, do hereby promulgate and issue the following orders, which shall be effective immediately and which shall remain in effect until the earlier of five days following the date of this issuance or the declaration by the Governor that the State of Emergency no longer exists:1.     A mandatory evacuation order is hereby called for all of the Parish of Orleans, with only the following exceptions: essential personnel of the United States of America, State of Louisiana and City of New Orleans; essential personnel of regulated utilities and mass transportation services; essential personnel of hospitals and their patients; essential personnel of the media; essential personnel of the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriffs Office and its inmates and essential personnel of operating hotels and their patrons. Unless covered by one of the aforementioned exceptions, every person is hereby ordered to immediately evacuate the City of New Orleans or, if no other alternative is available, to immediately move to one of the facilities within the City that will be designated as refuges of last resort.2.     In order to effectuate the mandatory evacuation, at the direction of the Mayor, the Chief Administrative Officer, the Director of Homeland Security for the City of New Orleans or any member of the New Orleans Police Department, the City may commandeer any private property, including, but not limited to, buildings that may be designated as refuges of last resort and vehicles that may be used to transport people out the area.I'm not a lawyer, but from my interpretation it gave local officials the power to use any vehicle they wanted to get people to shelters or out of the city.  What is the interpretation of "essential"?  Well, I'd say every one of the city's bus drivers, but I guess they leave that up to your bosses interpretation.side note- Imagine UPS saying "only essential personel have to stay late to deliver packages"  Heck, we'd all be staying late.Anyway, the city could have done more to evacuate people.  I also read an article that said people should bring 3 days worth of food and water to the shelter. Also, the governor could have probably called up the national guard to help with evacuations too.  Don't know that for a fact. (I'm sure someone will post it for me Whatever your opinion is of the initial response to the disaster, there will be plenty of time to review the facts and make the neccessary changes so we can respond better to the next one.  And there will be one....Earthquake in California, terrorist attack(love the security at our borders and sea-cargo terminals!) or Hurricane.  At this moment, we need to continue doing what we can in the relief effort.We are a stong Nation with strong individual beliefs (as seen on browncafe!).  That is one of the greatest freedoms we take for granted...the right to speak our mind, even if it's to criticize the Government.  Of course Rod will probably say it's the right to bear arms  Peace everybody.Make a difference.  Treat others as you want to be treated yourself.  And in recognition of ok2bclever- Life is too short.</blockquote>

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