Former FEMA chief Michael Brown had this to say today to a congressional committee:
My biggest mistake was not recognizing by Saturday that Louisiana was dysfunctional.
He’s sure to catch holy heck about that, but does anyone doubt it’s true? Read All The King’s Men or T. Harry Williams’ biography of Huey Long in case you’re one who does.
It has always been my contention that the critical variable in the Katrina aftermath debacle was the total incompetence of the local and state officials. Their dysfunctionality was so egregious that it could not be imagined in advance. Some federal mistakes may have been made, but they all flowed from the Louisiana incompetence.
And, to make things even better, the media are now taking well-deserved darts for the incredibly biased and hyped manner in which they covered the storm.
UPDATE: Jonah Goldberg feels much the same way.
