>I am in total agreement that there are emergencies that require immediate action by the federal government. News reports claim that President Bush called the Louisiana Governor and asked to request support but she said it wasn't time yet. I have no idea whether that is true or not or why the national guard weren't in place immediately or why there wasn't adequate supplies as well as security onsite at every shelter before the hurricane hit when people were directed to go there. There is one small problem however, it is against the law for the President or congress to send federal troops into any state without the Governer's express request in writing except in the case of national security. The law was designed to protect the U.S. from becoming a military dictatorship. If congress or the states disagreed with the President he could not essentially enforce his will by the use of federal military troops. Or even between congress and the Governors of each state. That is why national guard troops work for the governor and if national guard troops don't suffice, the Governor can request federal troops from congress. Article 1, Section 8, granted nominally to Congress, not the president to provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions.

>Here in my county in NC the schools will be closed tomorrow in preparation for one of the mildest hurricanes to hit. Yet, as usual, to prepare the schools will be designated as shelters and police will be there along with the red cross and supplies like North Carolina does everytime a hurricane hits. Emergency managers have been onsite and ready for days. Get a good Governor and get communication going between all levels I say.

Very well put.
I like it when a person talks with sense and not with emotion/hysteria.