>I actually feel a little different about Bush after reading Newsweek at lunch just now. I previously thought him to be a bungling moron. However, in the article that analyzes the failures of the federal govt in the last couple weeks, they point most of the fault at Bush's management style.
>
>He doesn't like to hear bad news. And views diagreements as a lack of loyalty. Most past administrations had someone who typically played devils advocate in most scenarios. Noone fills that position in the White House now.
>
>I believe there are many issues with the way FEMA was allowed to become the boondoggle the agency is today. However, the fact that Bush did not cancel all plans to return to Washington immediately, is due to no one willing to tell him the extent of the situation.
>
>The really, really big issue here is that this proves that the govt is in no way ready to handle a disaster. This is after all the plans that were drawn up and all the money spent on those plans post 9-11.
>


Perry;

We had an expression in the Air Force:

“You can delegate authority but you cannot delegate responsibility”!

I have to respect the comment from Bush, "To the extent the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility".

Now we have to learn from our mistakes and have a positive plan of action. More important than what happened on the Gulf Coast, is how we react to the next disaster of this magnatude. Status quo will not be acceptable.

Preperation before the fact is essential. This is a wakeup call for our nation and I am confident that the problems encountered will be resolved.

Tom