Let’s try the American way for a change
By BRAD WARTHEN
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR
WOULD YOU like Ted Kennedy to have just as much power in the day-to-day running of the federal government as President Bush? That question was for Republicans. Here’s one for Democrats: How would you like it if a President Hillary Clinton had no more control over federal agencies than Jim DeMint?
And here’s a question for us sensible folk who don’t like either party: No matter who holds the offices, does it make any sense for the lowliest congressional freshman to have as much operational influence over, say, the Pentagon as the commander in chief?
What if the president had to get a majority of Congress to agree on a plan before sending FEMA to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina? What if Condoleezza Rice were about to seal a deal on peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and the president were urging her to get it done before the window closed, but she decided to hold back because Dick Durbin or Rick Santorum had a few qualms? What if the president actually decided to fire Karl Rove for leaking a CIA officer’s name, but couldn’t do it because Congress didn’t approve?
Would any of that make sense? Would it be an effective or logical way to run a government? Of course not. At least, I don’t think so. But if you think otherwise, then you must love the way we run things in South Carolina — and in the city of Columbia. The federal hypotheticals above are modeled on the way we hobble our governor, and the way Columbia denies the most basic authority to its mayor.
What if the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were elected separately from the president? That’s the way we do it in South Carolina, with the top general in the National Guard chosen not by merit, but in a partisan election.
What if the president were a part-time member of Congress, with but one vote in that body, and no executive powers? That describes the mayor of Columbia. He is just another member of City Council. City employees answer not to him, but to an unelected city manager. Any member of City Council is as much that manager’s boss as the mayor is, meaning the day-to-day operation of the city is pushed and pulled in seven different directions.
I say all this to explain something about two long-held positions of this editorial board. There’s a consistent pattern here. On both the local and state levels, government is fragmented, ineffective and unaccountable.
There is a reason why we don’t seem to be able to get our act together. Government on both levels is set up to prevent the desire of the voters for progress — in education, personal income, public health, law enforcement or any other way you want to measure it — from being met.
If you think it’s fine that our state lags behind the nation on almost every measurement of quality of life, or if you like seeing something as big as the former Central Correctional Institution site as an untouched eyesore at the heart of our city for a decade, you should by all means resist reform. But if you’d like to see some action, demand change.
Our current systems are designed to avoid accomplishing much of anything — no matter how much the voters may want results. Accountability is so fragmented and diffused that there is no one to blame or credit for what happens — or doesn’t happen.
We believe in the American system: separation of powers, checks and balances, with each branch of government given the authority — no more and no less — to play its proper role.
This is why you will see us continue to push the General Assembly to empower the governor to do the job he is elected to do.
And it is why you will see a series of editorials, starting today, giving our views on the current discussion about whether to change Columbia’s system. As the commission charged with facilitating this debate completes its work in the coming weeks, we hope to hear your views as well.
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Brad,
I can’t believe that you ran this piece today. Bush’s neglect got many folks killed, and people are mad as hell. It is as if you live in another world. Pray for the dead. Mourn for the people who died from neglect and incompetence. We desperately need a new group of public servants to run the country. John Edwards has some thoughts about this debacle, as does Anton Gunn. I can’t say it any better than they can.
Brad,the president declared a state of emergency for Louisiana on August 27, authorizing FEMA to “coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives, protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe” in the affected areas.
I’ll say again: that was Saturday, August 27, two days before the storm hit. So let me ask you a question: Do you suppose that if it had been put to a vote, Congress would have said, “Hell yeah, get some help out there now?” Or would they have done what FEMA did, and waited around to see if a Category Five hurricane (which is what it was at that time) was really all that dangerous to a city sitting below sea level.
I understand your point, but good lord, man: could you choose some examples that don’t illustrate an executive branch incapable of making the proper decision on their own? I’m not from your state, but if your administration is anywhere near as incompetent as our national one, give thanks they’re crippled. It might save your life.
Weldon, The State and local governments did not agree to Federal control of the relief assistance, and to my knowledge, still have not. Here is the clause of the Stafford Act that explains that. Note the word consent. Gov. Blanco NEVER gave consent and it was requested.
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5149. PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES {Sec. 306}
Utilization of services or facilities of State and local governments
In carrying out the purposes of this Act, any Federal agency is authorized to accept and utilize the services or facilities of any State or local government, or of any agency, office, or employee thereof, with the consent of such government.
Hey, David, it’s comforting to know that if terrorists attack us again, the federal government will be sittin’ with its thumbs up its . . . well, you know . . waiting for the governor of whatever state to sign some legal freakin’ document.
Here you’ll find what appears to be an accurate schedule of Katrina-related events. Note the proprietor’s disclaimer:
I’ve been doing a poor job of my own in building such a reference; as near as I can determine, this timeline appears accurate.
You might also find this Katrina map helpful. You can click on a balloon and get the contemporaneous date, time, intensity, prediction, and other info.
There are three points: to lead one must have knowledge, the authority, and the courage (obstinacy?) to act. Managerial ability is typically not reported in real-time and often not acknowledged after the fact, unless the facts are overwhelmingly obvious. Rudy G. inherited a strong fire department and in his first term forged, with expert help, a police department that lowered the national crime rate by preventing or repairing broken windows. On 9/11/2001 preparation met opportunity, one of the definitions of “luck.”
One can look at this another way: in any organization where policies, procedures, regulations, and standards are unclear or ambiguous, members will be reluctant to take action of their own initiative unless and until ordered for the simple reason that they cannot know whether any action is sanctioned or will expose them to santions.
Also take a gander at this:
(hat tip: Impacted Wisdom Truth.)
kc, As much as you may think the law of the land contradicts common sense, the law is still the law. On the other hand, let’s surmise that the administration had decided on Monday, during the major thrust of the hurricane, that the State and local officials were not prepared and decided (without request) to move in federal officials and troops to take over. Here would be the screaming headlines – “BUSH – EMERGENCY DICTATOR”. Impeachment papers would be filed immediately by those doing all of the whining right now. Mike C. above points out why what you want is against the law.
Mike C. above points out why what you want is against the law.
No, he doesn’t.
I’m sorry, MikeC or David – perhaps one of you can explain just what the Sam Hill this has to do with FEMA’s utter failure to deliver water and supplies to these people and help evacuate them esp. with the mayor and governor ASKING FOR HELP.
While you’re at it, let’s hear your excuses for FEMA’s actively BLOCKING aid from getting to these people.
Go ahead, fellas. Give us the spin on that.
I’m not being dense, just curious. What FEMA instances are you citing?
FEMA’s a bureaucracy with rules galore and punishments for infractions; I expect inanities and stupidities from them, just as I do from the Red Cross. I expect less proficiency but greater responsiveness and a really big heart from the private groups, like these guys, as I’ve written elsewhere. The little folks let you take your pets with you, the big guys don’t. The little guys don’t have to heed the onerous regulations that governmental agencies do.
But some folks are coming from quite a different direction. He who charges first-degree murder must provide some evidence to support the charge. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. The folks out there are risking their lives to save others and deserve our respect. I participated in a much easier recovery effort in the Caribbean after Luis in 1995. The folks who came in — government and private — were motivated to save lives and risked their own in the process.
We should look for those who fail to fulfill their duties, those incompetent, those shirkers, and the like. We need to find systemic and procedural deficiencies, and review policy in light of this event. Sure, fire some folks. But be very careful what you charge. Everybody’s focusing on the Big Easy and seems to forget about Mississippi where the Navy and Coast Guard moved in as soon as the storm passed.
I’m still PO-ed. How can anyone charge a conspiracy to let folks die? What sick, sick part of humanity do those folks come from? I wonder if they’re projecting, if they would be vindictive if they were in charge? I can find no words suitable to express my outrage.
I accuse no one here of such a mindset yet. But be careful who you side with lest you find yourselves with the whackos.
I’m off the air until late.
KC, FEMA used to be an independent agency until certain members of Congress who belong to a party that starts with a D continually demanded a huge bureaucracy called Dept of Homeland Security. Now the people who insisted on this bureaucracy are complaining about it. How typical….
Also, are you aware FEMA is really about 2000 employees who primarily live around Washington, DC? Disaster resources are almost exclusively under the control of the State and local (city or town or county) governments. Again, until these local officials give control to FEMA, FEMA is NOT in charge. I see The STATE headline or byline on the front page of Monday’s paper said — New O Mayor turns over control to FEMA. One week AFTER Katrina hit. I still don’t think the Governor (aka hurry up and get my butt out of New Orleans up to Baton Rouge so I can watch from afar, not a participant, in this mess) By the way, the mayor left town also for Baton Rouge. Blameless heroes to many I am sure.
The bottom line to me is this. The hurricane was non-partisan and racially indifferent. It wobbled and went a little east of New Orleans and just when N.O. was beginning to sigh in relief, the levees broke. Why else would anyone “evacuate” the local people to a facility like the Dome and Convention Center unless they thought they were going there for a day or so to escape the wind, rain, heat, etc. Some 300 or more public school buses were parked a quarter mile from the Dome, on the lowest ground, and not one local official thought, hey, lets start these up, get them over here, and start loading people. Think of that before condemning the FEMA folks.
I was in the US Army, 1972, and helped in the cleanup of Hurricane Agnes which caused major flooding and about $3 billion in damage back then. I am beginning to wonder now how many backstabbers were out there whining about what I was doing while in mud and filth to my hips.
What kind of people are those who want to point fingers and blame others who only come with good intentions to help ?
David, I’m through with you.
What FEMA instances are you citing?
I’m sorry, MikeC, I thought “failure to deliver water and supplies spoke for itself.
Do you read the newspapers? Watch TV?
I thought you were referring to a specific event or lapse – I’m psycho, not psychic. I note that they’re delivering water and supplies now in LA, MS, and AL. I guess you’re concerned that FEMA didn’t start sooner at some place. You, Mark W, and the sources he cites apparently don’t know that FEMA is not a first responder.
FEMA does this in part through training programs for first responders. Note that at that page training is a subset of “Capacity Building.” If you follow the links you’ll see that FEMA provides detailed guidance so that local governments can build their own comprehensive response plans. It’s clear that First-responders are state and local resources:
I’ve neither the time nor energy tonight to track down links, but I’ve heard several times that FEMA’s guidance is that it will take them 72 to 96 hours for its full capability to be on the ground. Today an NPR or PRI show had a guy on from Brookings who pointed to some of the logistical challenges for the military. They have to move their assets – people, vehicles (trucks, planes, choppers, etc.), and supplies out of the storm area. In the case of a hurricane 100 miles to allow for last-minute swings. When the storm passes, they move the engineers in to clear local runways and set up operations shelters – this can take a day. Then radars, air-traffic control vans, generators, aircraft maintenance shelters, etc. are flown in and assembled. Finally, the operational aircraft are deployed. This whole process can take three or four days if all steps are required. Apparently Coast Guard and Navy were able to start very early (no date given) along the coast of Mississippi and Alabama.
This is not to say that things went well with FEMA; there may well be a need to fire folks, make organizational changes, etc. Then again, there may not be.
Whatever the case, the very best planning will not save lives if folks are not prepared to help themselves. Get your flashlight, radio, spare batteries (dry cells!), water, food, etc. ready to the extent you can afford. Fill up the SUV. You owe it to yourself and those you love to be ready to take of them without government help. I don’t hate government or government workers. Heck, if I can help my family, they can assist others in greater need.
When it comes to evacuations, some officials display genius in gaining the cooperation of indigenous populations (link requires free registration):
You may also be suffering from false rumors. This gal clears some up.
I gotta admit that I’m PO-ed about something else. We taxpayers are going to foot the bill for re-building New Orleans. I don’t mind that. What I do mind is the graft and corruption endemic to that area that will boost the price. And I really mind having to buy 2,000 school buses to replace those caught in the flood. That they did not carry some of NO’s poor out of the city is a crime.
Why are you through with David? The facts in his first paragraph were correct. Perhaps your mind is already made up.
I can’t believe that you’re defending this guy. Bush should have issued an executive order on Tuesday and declared a state of emergency: he doesn’t have to ask anybody in times of national crisis. If he wanted to, he could have called up every able bodied man in the country. I’ve got to research this later, but I think that Bush was playing golf on Wednesday! Later in the week he was backslapping the FEMA director for doing such a good job. To this day to my knowledge, no one ever tried to cut through the roofs of the houses to find trapped people! Dead people are everywhere. Only the federal government and the standing Army and Navy can handle something of this magnitude. How could Bush not see this (everybody else did)?
Mike C. – It is going to take many months of expensive hearings and investigations to get the facts out on the table about the planning before and response after Katrina. Most of that will be the usual waste of taxpayer dollars and no matter what the conclusions are there are those who will chose to ignore basic facts. I guess that is a price we pay for living in a republic. As Winston Churchill said, (paraphrase here), Democracy is perhaps not the perfect form of government, but it is better than everything else out there.
To Brad’s title of this thread – Let’s try the American way for a change. For the most part, that is exactly what is happening with this disaster, and I don’t think any other country in the world could have done what has been done, and I say that in a positive sense.
Mark –
Few folks realize the planning and coordination necessary among enterprises at all levels to get almost anything done; there are niceties such as law and custom that govern relationships. The president can’t just do whatever he wants to. Courtesy of Jim Robbins at NOR:
Fortunately organizations at all levels do have plans, have communicated the plans, and have performed required preliminary actions to be able to implement the plans. When Katrina was getting close, all agencies involved pulled the plans for the areas likely to be affected to see what everyone was going to do. The states reviewed the local plans, the federal agencies reviewed the state and local plans, put some of their own plans into motion, and kept their ears open for other requests. The bad news is that when some elements don’t follow through on some of their parts of the plan, folks can suffer.
The City of New Orleans had a very nice plan, part of which was to use city buses for evacuation. But instead of sending city buses to evacuate those who could not make it out on their own, people in New Orleans were told to go to the Superdome and the Convention Center, where no one provided sufficient sustenance or security.
Yesterday ABC news reported that shortly before Katrina hit, the LA guv sent President Bush a request, asking for shelter and provisions, but didn’t specifically ask for help with evacuations. One aide to the governor told ABC News today Blanco thought city officials were taking care of the evacuation. In other words, the governor’s office properly assumed that the city had implemented its part of the plan. This omission rippled throughout the complex bureaucracies with the message “For NOLA – need food, need shelter, don’t need transport.” When this was found to be in error, is it surprising that the whole bureaucracy could not turn on a dime to arrange for transport?
Back to the main point, laws and court rulings govern the interaction of governmental units. We really don’t want executives to exceed their authority, a point I think you’ll agree with.
After the fact, as David points out, a full investigation will be conducted to tarnish the reputations of all who acted according to the book, overlook those who acted dishonorably, ignore the many heroes, provide a forum for legislators to preen, and reward corrupt local politicians with oodles of loot to rebuild their fiefdoms.
You have much too much faith in the ability of the federal agencies to see and know all. They are staffed with good folks, but even the best folks don’t have sufficient information to make good decisions from hundreds of miles away. Some of the good folks are noodleheads in need of geography lessons too. Giving Riley and crew thirty minutes notice about the arrival of 180 evacuees, and then sending them to the Charleston in West Virginia is truly appalling. Other good folks are just noodleheads and need to find work elsewhere. Political appointees are easy to fire, but career civil servants are not.
BTW – I heard one really, really great suggestion – I don’t recall the source. Why don’t we demand that the recently passed highway bill be rescinded, stripped of all the pork projects, and reconstituted with the essentials. The pork funds should be re-directed to Katrina support. At almost $300B total, some $100B could be stripped out, no? If we’re all giving our time and energy, shouldn’t our Congress do its part too?
To KC: You earlier asked either me or Mike C. to answer the question you posed here:
“I’m sorry, MikeC or David – perhaps one of you can explain just what the Sam Hill this has to do with FEMA’s utter failure to deliver water and supplies to these people and help evacuate them esp. with the mayor and governor ASKING FOR HELP.
While you’re at it, let’s hear your excuses for FEMA’s actively BLOCKING aid from getting to these people.
Go ahead, fellas. Give us the spin on that.”
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Well KC, Red Cross officials are reporting that the GOVERNOR of LA refused to allow the Red Cross to bring food, water, and medicine to the Dome or Convention Center. I think you owe many people, including the President, a sincere apology.
Then again, perhaps we need to close FEMA and start over again. The kind of guy who rushes into a burning building while others are running out is not the kind of guy you want doing community relations.
The real problem is who can order whom to shoot any and all FEMA folks involved in this kind of insane personnel management. To make it simple, I think that if Bush declared martial law, the Red Cross could do the dirty work.
Mike, how insensitive of you! The last thing we want is for our firefighters to be sexually harassing Katrina victims!