>In Canada cronyism is rampant too, but generally, as you cite here, the person appointed does have some significant experience in the field of the appointment. Sounds like you have an excellent one for your department.

Unless Congress changes how Agency heads are selected, we will be (mostly) doomed to cronyism with political appointed Agency heads. Fortunately, we have a rank-and-file leader at the helm for the next 3 years. It will be a shame to see an "EPA-lifer" have to resign under the next Administration.

>While I agree that staying positive is essential and that things will happen faster than seems possible now, there are some thing I hope for...
>
>I know that you are definitely not for bigger government.

Definitely. However, I am also a realist and have my own ideas about what the Fed Gov't should (e.g., military, immigration, border security, law enforcement, treasury) and should not (e.g., Education, Arts funding, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, etc.) be involved in.

>But I hope that, at minimum, the genuinely poor working folks of NO get some "pampering", and for the long term. And I hope this becomes a model for addressing the issue throughout your great country. The poorer people of Mississippi seem to be getting lousy recovery "services" too.

Hard to tell as the focus of our wonderful media outlets has over-concentrated on New Orleans and southern Louisiana as well as trying to "assess" blame.

>Now I don't mean "pampering" as in spoon-fed and infinite bank accounts replenished forever. But I do mean INCLUDED as a MEANINGFUL component of the planning and development and resurrection of NO. No longer overlooked and invisible and so easily forgotten.

The problem here is the State and local leadership is still complaining instead of leading. Yestrday(?), Governor Blanco was griping about the slow recovery of bodies by the Federal gov't. What the hell is she doing to help? She needs to get of her sorry a** and take control. Same for Mayor Nagin. With that kind of leadership, I ain't holding out much hope of any meaningful and constructive ideas coming from them. Fortunately, the good people of New Orleans will buck up and meet the challenges no thanks to their elected officials. Unfortunately, they will probably turn right back around and elect another idiot for mayor. Thankfully the rest of the State gets to vote for Governor and will hopefully get rid of the current whiner.

>I think Katrina is proof positive that disaster preparation is not something that can be contracted out. FEMA was (I have read) on that track extensively and the response we saw was a result. Apparently, too, there remain blue-tarped roofs in the communities hit by hurricanes LAST YEAR in Florida. Those should have been non-existent by now if FEMA was on the ball, it seems to me.

FEMA was never intended to be a full staff/service organization. It's charge was to have disaster plans together that brought together various needed expertises form the various Federal agencies. Their response to the hurricanes last year was well conducted. New Orleans was a problem because of the unanticipated flooding of the city well after the hurricane passed.

>Finally, I don't think that the government should count on the good works of volunteer organization in their disaster relief planning and delivery. They can be accommodated in planning (to be in 'control centers', space for their (additional) supplies, etc.) but not delegated any official duties.

Nor should citizens depend on the government for anything. Whatever they do get should be gravy. This is a huge part of the problem today is too many people depend on the government. Gov't can not move like private organizations can. I do agree to a point with you though in that you should have gov't to maintain order and security while allowing the relief agencies in immediately to provide basic human needs until the "calvary" arrives to save the day.