I can't go along with all the blaming that is taking place.
I agree there is plenty of blame to go around, and that will be sorted out from those who stayed to "ride out the storm" to officials from the local levels on up to the highest levels.
I'm just heartbroken at the devastation and suffering.
I pray that help will be organized quickly for those who remain in New Orleans and are in need.

The blaming is a natural result of the sharp political divide in the United States. I don't think it will hinder the disaster effort.

Having participated in relief efforts at major and minor disasters, and drills for more, I can only say that the Mayor should be tarred and feathered. Likewise the governor. The situations in the "evacuation centers" was inexcusable. Police should have been sent in with enough force and the authorization to use it. Likewise the National Guard when they arrived. I had a friend in the SuperDome (the idiot was a tourist who wouldn't leave in spite of everyone's strong suggestions). He just made it to Dallas and is too sleepy and too traumatized to talk about it. Earlier we got text messages from him. He personally saw murders. He was next to a guardsman who was shot. He was scared to death because of the lawlessness - the Guard only had enough force there to protect themselves.

That the city had communications problems indicates poor planning. That the hospitals and the SuperDome had generators below predicted flood levels is criminal. That the mayor refused to enforce law and order is idiotic and a gross dereliction of duty. That the head of FEMA found out about the problems in the Convention Center by TV news indicates that local authorities did not properly plan for a major disaster response and didn't have adequate backup systems and procedures.

I have seen good disaster planning and responses - with good interagency communications. The local authoritiles simply blew it!

I completely agree with the posting. The feds cannot be momma to all the children states. The responsibility rests with the Mayor.. no matter what else has transpired. Feds too slow? What did the mayor do to accelerate the response? Did he coordinate with other mayors? He needs to be a leader and admit that the circumstances overwhelmed all preparations.

The deaths come down to the reasons cited. No adequate evacuation plan. No adequate shelters.

A leader will emerge from this tragedy... Somewhere in the trenches someone is getting the job done and I pray that they are recognized.