Terry Ebbert, New Orleans’ homeland security chief, told WWL-TV that he thinks FEMA’s response to the disaster has been an “embarrassment.” Walter Maestri, the emergency management director in suburban Jefferson Parish, said FEMA and other federal agencies are not delivering help nearly as fast as it is needed.
Yet, back in Washington, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told CNN Thursday that he believes he thinks FEMA and other federal agencies have done a “magnificent job” under difficult circumstances to deal with the unprecedented disaster, citing their “courage” and “ingenuity.”
Insisting that aid is coming as fast as possible, Chertoff said, “You can’t fly helicopters in a hurricane. You can’t drive trucks in a hurricane.”
I just don’t believe this last quote from Chertoff. Hurricane Katrina hit on Monday! Tens of thousands of people have been waiting at the New Orleans Convention Center and the Superdome since then with very little help. The video I see of the people there shows such suffering and despair. Where’s the food, water and other supplies for these people so that they can survive and maintain some decency? I pray there’s a lot more relief for them today.