Katrina's POLITICAL aftermath (keep the political discussions HERE)

Colin Powell weighs in.

Under the "honors and awards" section of his profile at FindLaw.com — which is information on the legal website provided by lawyers or their offices—he lists "Outstanding Political Science Professor, Central State University". However, Brown "wasn't a professor here, he was only a student here," says Charles Johnson, News Bureau Director in the University Relations office at the University of Central Oklahoma (formerly named Central State University). "He may have been an adjunct instructor," says Johnson, but that title is very different from that of "professor." Carl Reherman, a former political science professor at the University through the '70s and '80s, says that Brown "was not on the faculty." As for the honor of "Outstanding Political Science Professor," Johnson says, "I spoke with the department chair yesterday and he's not aware of it."

Under the heading of "Professional Associations and Memberships" on FindLaw, Brown states that from 1983 to the present he has been director of the Oklahoma Christian Home, a nursing home in Edmond. But an administrator with the Home, told TIME that Brown is "not a person that anyone here is familiar with." She says there was a board of directors until a couple of years ago, but she couldn't find anyone who recalled him being on it.

In desperate response, Nicol Andrews is trying to dismiss the Time article that exposes all this, stating that "according to Mike Brown, a large portion [of the points made by TIME] are inaccurate". Her defense? Read on:

Nicol Andrews, deputy strategic director in FEMA's office of public affairs, insists that while Brown began as an intern, he became an "assistant city manager" with a distinguished record of service.

Speaking for Brown, Andrews says that Brown has never claimed to be a political science professor, in spite of what his profile in FindLaw indicates. "He was named the outstanding political science senior at Central State, and was an adjunct professor at Oklahoma City School of Law."

According to FEMA's Andrews, Brown said "he's never claimed to be the director of the home. He was on the board of directors, or governors of the nursing home." However, a veteran employee at the center since 1981 says Brown "was never director here, was never on the board of directors, was never executive director. He was never here in any capacity. I never heard his name mentioned here."

Ahh...and on my own personal note, since -I- am an adjunct "professor", can I be head of FEMA someday? I mean, obviously I need more practice in CV padding, but I think I can do it! I really, really do!

That's exactly the talking point that I like to hear. From the few FEMA apologists I've personally heard, they all liked to say "Liberals just want to play the 'Blame Game'!" Sons, it ain't a game here.

I was just watching local new coverage where evacuees were getting vouchers. Some were reading off names to the camera, hoping that a connection between lost family members could be made. Others were basically laying out their resumé live on-air in hopes that they could find a job and not have to live off of charity. And then one woman just went off on the president. She had her say, and they went to the next person.

I don't care what political idealogue you subscribe to, when Dick Cheney is being told to fuck off in Mississippi, the president might want to drop the whole "Blame Game" attitude.

If Al Gore were President, Fundamentalist Baby Jesus would cry and his tears would flood New Orleans.

of looters.

this is Karen Hughes, former WH communications director. She got promoted this week.

..."The images of crime being committed in the face of an awful natural disaster is hard for anyone to understand, people around the world and Americans. It sickens me as an American," she said. "How could criminals prey on vulnerable elderly citizens and children during a time of such horror?"

Like President Bush, Hughes acknowledged that the overall government response effort was flawed, but she did not include that as a reason the image of the United States might suffer as a result of the storm.

Hughes --- a longtime Bush aide and confidante --- takes the oath of office today as the State Department's undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs. Her job will be to improve America's global image...

I sort of hope not if only because I want to see Bush have to put his precious Brownie to task because the press, the people, and everyone else demands it of him.

The Brown resignation thing has been bandied about for a few days now, a fall-on-sword move. Entirely possible because Bush just hates firing people.

???

WTF??

Brown has been under fire because of the administration's slow response to the magnitude of the hurricane. On Thursday, questions were raised about whether he padded his resume to highlight his previous emergency management background.

yeah, i was thinking "paleoconservative". still, adequate military forces devoted to a task, what a concept.

but yeah, freaking out about china being the new soviet union is tipping your hand just a bit.

-
xpost well, that was quick, and pretty much telegraphed by getting the Coast Guard guys down there.

And Helprin's a total weirdo. Anyone remember his speeches for Bob Dole? I liked Winter's Tale in high school but I can't bring myself to read him anymore. Also, what's up with the superfluous knife photo there credited to "Alexandra Helprin"? Is that one of Mark's knives?

And if Brown's been "relieved" of his Katrina duties, can we please take him completely off the public payroll?

Chertof with hair?

That would be wrong and bad, and shows you do not support the war in Iraq.

Brown hasn't resigned from FEMA evidently, just moving off the hurricane relief effort. He's going back to Washington.

Oy. We even gave them the script.

Poor dear.

(Talkin' point-a?)

xpost. yeah, Dan Brown can crucified for other things

Apologies if this was posted upthread. Check the date.

Not as long as he's still in charge of FEMA. Longer he stays/is suffered to stay, the more ridiculous it looks. Thus Lopez's response -- she was hoping for that full clearing of the decks and hasn't gotten it. Good thing too.

Figures.

Brown and many others got their jobs through the good-old-boy sewing circle (jerk) of you butter my bread and I'll butter yours (and heck, I'll throw in a cutie-patootie nickname for you too there, Brownie-boy). No one is the best man (woman? gasp!) for the job, just the best Bush supporter.

Sorry, I have students turning in "people are being mean to the president!" papers today, and it has me fine and frazzled.

Direct quote.

U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's visit to Reliant Park this morning offered him a glimpse of what it's like to be living in shelter.

While on the tour with top administration officials from Washington, including U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and U.S. Treasury Secretary John W. Snow, DeLay stopped to chat with three young boys resting on cots.

The congressman likened their stay to being at camp and asked, "Now tell me the truth boys, is this kind of fun?"

They nodded yes, but looked perplexed.

T/S: Callousness vs Cluelessness