Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu (D) is demanding answers from the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency after it was revealed that a bogus news conference was staged by FEMA earlier this week.
“I am disappointed to learn that (FEMA Deputy Administrator Harvey Johnson) misled the press and the public by taking questions from his own staff pretending to be reporters and that the agency did not disclose this misrepresentation,” said Senator Landrieu.
She also said she hoped the fake press conference was “not a substitute for the necessary reforms” needed to improve FEMA’s delivery of emergency services.
FEMA was roundly criticized for its slow and inept response in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which slammed into the GulfCoast and flooded New Orleans in 2005.
Officials from FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security have been touring the sites of the California wildfires, and have insisted all week that FEMA had turned a new leaf and would be competent in their response to the disaster.
However, keeping up appearances seems to have been FEMA’s priority. Mr Johnson abruptly called Tuesday’s fake press conference, giving reporters only 15 minutes notice. As a result, reporters were not on hand to ask questions, although they were allowed to listen in to the interview by phone.
During the 10 minute self-congratulating session, FEMA staffers threw soft questions at their boss.
“Are you happy with FEMA's response so far?” asked one staffer.
“I’m very happy with FEMA’s response so far,” replied Mr Johnson. “The report basically is that were doing a fine, doing a pretty good job.”
When asked how FEMA’s response to the California wildfires compared to its efforts following Hurricane Katrina, Mr Johnson said, “In lessons learned from Katrina, it's like, is there day and is there night? What you’re seeing now is a very smoothly, very efficiently performing team”.
The White House chided FEMA for the spectacular blunder. “It was just a bad way to handle it, and they know that,” said White House Press Secretary Dana Perino. “It’s not something I would have condoned. And they, I'm sure, will not do it again."
Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, who oversees FEMA, is said to be deeply embarrassed. “This is simply inexcusable and offensive to Secretary Chertoff that such a mistake could have been made,” said a DHS spokewoman Laura Keehner. “We have made it clear stunts such as this will not be tolerated or repeated."”
On Friday, FEMA released a statement to apologize for misleading the public.
“We can and must do better, and apologize for this error in judgment”, said Mr Johnson."
FEMA just took their cue from Bush with his “Mission Accomplished” sign. This administration has delivered more staged misinformation than Joe McCarthy. As to the Landrieu bashers…at least she wasn’t on the DC Madam’s “massage” list. Written by Harvestmoon
on 10/29/2007
It's an election year and Miss Mary will do anything to get her name in the papers.
Bottom line, if Kennedy runs she will be in the battle of her political life. Written by Sid
on 10/29/2007
Stop attacking the nice posters. Leave Judith alone! Written by
on 10/29/2007
Hey Judith (while I hold up my hand in front of your mug for you to see) read between the lines. HA HA HA HA HA............ Written by Yup, you probably are clueless aren't you?
on 10/27/2007
Laughing Stock, what the hell are you talking about? Are you doing your duty as a clueless political hack? Or have you just had a run-in with a parking meter or parking attendant? In any case, it seems to me that you just pulled that “Due Dilligence” crap directly from your backside. Written by Judith
on 10/27/2007
'Duty' and 'Due Dilligence' are two different topics. Even a parking attendent is doing its 'duty' while validating a parking stub. So I guess she is doing her 'duty' while parked at the seat of a congressional slot? Written by Laughing at the enamored.
on 10/27/2007
Senator Landrieu is doing her duty as chair of a federal disaster relief subcommittee and as a federal representative of Louisiana, whose citizens’ suffering was compounded enormously by FEMA’s incompetence after hurrican Katrina. If she hadn’t commented on this latest disgraceful episode, her critics would be out in force attacking her as well. Petty partisan politics is distracting this discussion from the real news – a federal agency has staged a fake press conference which excluded the press so staffers could sing the agency’s praises. This demonstrates flagrant disregard, if not contempt, for the truth and democracy itself. But why trouble yourselves with real issues when you’ve got “Bread and Circuses” to keep you distracted. And frankly, RhettsWife, my dear, I don’t give a damn who you vote for. Written by Judith
on 10/27/2007
No, we are in danger of drowning from the wrong nomenclatures being attached to the lies. In other words, our great captains of commerce, politics and power couldn't read the charts and they hit a submerged rock and now our ship may be sinking. Better man the battle stations, or at least get a life preserver on if you are not going to fight. Written by Fe Fi Fo Fum
on 10/27/2007
We are drowning in disinformation. Written by bt
on 10/27/2007
Such interesting comments. So nice to be enlightened via this site when one doesn't always have the time to be well informed about the various political skirmishes. I agree that Ms. Mary could only make it In LA. because of her last name and is clearly why she doesn't use her marriage name. Aren't we ready for a change? I know I am and everso grateful for being educated of the political details here. Thanks, guys and gals. Keep up the informative dialect. Very much enjoyed. Written by Isee
on 10/27/2007
Ahhhh,,,,, the emotions fly from the supporters of the ignorant. I second that motion to get around the Moo Moo Landreeyou machine. Watching her on the big stage during C-Span's Washington coverage has truely shown her in the proper light she emits, on more than one occasion. Big deal, she is on a FEMA bashing rampage. I guess she has to have something to rant about, and FEMA is fair game. And that is all she is going to handle, that which is fair game, and non controversial. She is by no means a leader, nor a trend setter. She is merely a puppett on someone's strings. She wouldn't make it anywhere else so I suppose it is good she is in good old Louisiana. I am sure she serves someone's interests, but it surely isn't the common masses, nor is it for efficiency and competence. Written by Fee fi fo fum..........
on 10/27/2007
Judith,dear. Your are correct to a point. FEMA officials should be thrown out. It did appear that Jeb's state and the Republican state of Mississippi got assistance right away and better than Louisiana did. However, does her total ability indicate that we should vote for her in 2008? Judith,dear, the race has already begun. She is building her war chest. Many including us, Judith, dear, will be campaigning for someone else. The election has started, Judith, dear. We would think you had gotten this message already. Written by RhettsWife
on 10/27/2007
Levelling baseless personal abuse at Senator Landrieu does not redeem the appalling dishonesty and incompetence of FEMA. Senator Landrieu is doing her job here, demanding an explanation for flagrant dishonesty from a federal agency that has repeatedly failed victims of major disasters. She does after all chair the US Senate's Homeland Security and Government Affairs Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery. Isn't it interesting that FEMA seems to get it right only in Florida, Jeb Bush territory, during election years? Written by Judith
on 10/27/2007
I agree with Cindy, Andy and Jarda too. Written by Lasis
on 10/27/2007
According to the anti-Mary posts, are you saying that anyone can run for office and win and all one needs is a woman's body? Maybe the stress of Katrina got to her if she's acting as you say. It's gotten to everyone else. Why don't you guys give her a break and call her office to tell her of your concerns instead of picking at her. Or contact your MALE politicians to voice your concerns and be part of the solution.... Anyone can complain, it takes someone special to be part of the solution...... Go for it, make LA. a better place. Written by Orasta
on 10/27/2007
Oh puhlease Jarda, not another teary eyed and tired old worn out cliche.......... Written by Yeah, right................
on 10/27/2007
Hey Andy, 'Passion'? "Fierce leaders'? Puhleasssssseeeeee................. What we need is for her to take her own advice she gave Congress on the house floor back in November or December of 2005, the part where she shrilled "...........and get out of the waaaayyyyyyyy!!!!!!!" She really doesn't stand for much of anything and actually has no idea what so ever of what to do when the right thing literally falls out of the sky and lands in her 'Landreau' lap. Just another elected drama queen. Written by Speaking of a box of rocks........
on 10/27/2007
I agree with Andy and Cindy. Mary isn't where she is from making jokes about men. So why the jokes about her? Jealousy? No surprise that Louisiana is ranked #1 in yet another bad list - men killing women? Written by Jarda
on 10/27/2007
Hold on a second there podnah' Cindee. One must query the notion of what got her there? Could possibly be the smart ones who voted fer da otter feller had dar heads on dar shoulders square ya tink? An fer da ones dat got her in? Well, like my momma always said "Stupid is as stupid does" Leur nayak-nuck-nuck-nuck. Hey Moe! Hey Moe! Written by If the shoe were only on the other foot.
on 10/27/2007
LOL, "the I.Q. of a box of rocks" hmmm, some comedians on here I see,go work on the comedy channel. I agree with Andy, she would not be where she is if she was an idiot. At least she takes responsibility for her actions. I like her. Written by Cindy
on 10/27/2007
Like I wrote; Dumbocrat........... She has the I.Q. of a box of rocks...... Hmmm..... Cowtipping on a Saturday night. Sounds like fun....... Written by la-la land readers, they make me laugh.....
on 10/27/2007
ok, so she is passionate ok, that is a good thing, we need passion and fierce leaders to get LA back on the map. Maybe sometimes the passion gets the better of her good judgement Written by Andy
on 10/27/2007
YEAH RESPECT! like she gave the president? "I wanna punch him in the nose" Cow tipping? and who wants to tip our Senator Mary "MOO MOO" Landrieu? Written by Long Haired County Boy
on 10/27/2007
Dumbocrat?! This is one heck of a smart woman. Respect please! Written by Andy
on 10/27/2007
So poor-poor 'Moo-Moo Landreeeyou' "DEMANDS"?.......... I just luvs dat bugg eyed Dumbocrat wonder. Probably a lot of fun to go cow tippin' with on a Saturday night though. Written by Hillary and Krewe wants to throw rocks at you
on 10/27/2007
