With hurricane season fast approaching, it’s not reassuring that the Bush administration can’t find anyone to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency, formerly headed by Michael Brown of Katrina fashion fame. Turns out a who’s who of qualified people in this field have been approached and said “no thanks.”
Several candidates told The New York Times they withdrew after deciding the White House wasn’t serious about fixing FEMA’s problems (it’s widely considered one of the worst government agencies to work for). There’s not just room at the top: Some 500 full-time staff jobs out of 2,500 remain vacant, including several important management jobs.
The Homeland Security reshuffling and resulting marginalization of FEMA is looking more and more like a disaster waiting to happen.
C’mon, folks, your country needs you. Anybody on this blog want to lead FEMA?
Posted by Randy Scholfield
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29 Comments
C’mon, this is a Republican administration.Where’s the money in it?
Considering so many people have the answer for everything, and know everything there is to know, I would think that most of the know it alls here would think themselves qualified.
How about it, KFG? You seem to have an opinion/knowledge/’facts’ about everything..why not step up to the plate?
Or JR who knows everything about everything? C’mon…here is your chance to correct everything that is wrong with FEMA that you have been griping about for months…
Do you have to be a pedophile to work for a branch of DHS?
There was a time not too long ago when FEMA was staffed by skilled professionals. Then it bacame a political dumping ground for Bush’s campaign staff etc. As long as the “leadership” (sic) at the very top remains unchanged quality people will not want to work there. Change that and staffing will become doable – again.
Why would I want to work for republicans? I mean, surely you wouldnt want a queer, someone who is so low they cant serve in the military, to run FEMA now would ya?
Besides, the republicans broke it, they own it, they can fix it. Just like iraq.
You wouldnt listen to what I had to say anyway, so why would I bother?Ya cant have it both ways raptor.
Is your resume in the mail?
Not the first time that Randy has addressed the blog. He’s the only editor I see do that. I think it’s cool.
Well of course to head or work for any agency under the bush administration, the only real requirement is that you know going in that bush is always right no matter what.
(as such, I and KFG and anyone with a funtioning brain stem need not apply but thank you anyway Raptor)
There are other qualifications of course. But there are a number of bloggers here who meet the basic one.
Raptor might be good. He can point his finger.
Nathan meets the basic requirement. But he would probably quibble over the definition of “emergency.”Joe Williams has been willing to admit that bush can be wrong……..so he’s out.
I nominate Hank.
We do have to adhere to the basic qualification I mentioned. Also, hank already has a well practiced line that would be of great use in a bush Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“Nothing to see here folks, move on”
Good one JR. Now that you mention it, I think Hank would be a great choice, with nathan passing out the bullets. That would be one way to deal with the human misery. Kill ‘em all, let god sort ‘em out!
It sure would cut the water and ice bills for taxpayers.
And then, for any survivors who are left, there’d be those famouns Hank burgers!
Kind of a nice touch in a ‘fiddling while Rome burns’ sort of way.
DOH! ‘Famous.’
“And then, for any survivors who are left, there’d be those famouns Hank burgers!”
That would be more “compassionate conservatism” than we have seen from the preznit in six years!!
I remember after Bush’s speech about energy someone I know asked me if I was going to sign up to help. After all, I have extensive experience in energy research and synfuels. My answer “Not a snowball’s chance in Hell!” Why would I sign up to work for this bunch when I know it is all just window dressing?
I still remember that scientist Mayfield’s warnings about Hurricane Katrina were ignored by the TOP leadership at FEMA, DHS and the White House. The reason” Mayfield is not properly qualified to advise on science. He is a scientist. The proper qualifications are to be with the energy industry and to be a lobbyist and/or lawyer.
There’s a coorelation between Bush and scientists? Pee test time again.
Good one Ben, Walker. Glad to have you back here JM. The soup just isnt properly seasoned without ya!
JM – yes, there is a correlation. A NEGATIVE one!
A benchmark for anyone interviewing for the FEMA job; ask this question – “Can I FIRE Brownie?”
Last I knew, Michael Brown was still working at FEMA at his former salary, just not leading it.
Here is my side of the story. When a hurricane comes, everybody is told to evacuate. If you stay behind, make sure you have enough food for three days. Ok, so maybe the governemnt could have done a better job. But when all those bridges get blown away it is kind of hard to get in there. And also, you know all those buses that took people to Texas; they have to be available before the storm.
If no one else is going to take the job, I think I can find someone to do it.
My God, Matthew has the longest email address in the world!
When the storms roll around again this year, I’ll bet they won’t have a problem getting people to leave. Only a fool would stay behind knowing the incompetence of those at the helm.
I’ll take the job, I can roll up my sleeves for the photo ops as well as anyone and I could use the pay raise.
Damoon, if I were on a ship at sea, and we were in peril, I would want you at the helm! I would feel safe if you were in charge.
Ditto on FEMA. At least if you were in charge, we would know they wouldnt let people die a horrible death in the hospitals or nursing homes like they did in the big easy.
Another comment. Does anyone here think that Katrina could have been a Biblical sign. Yet here is New Orleans who wants to go party yet while people are still lying in their houses. I would not be shocked to see New Orleans completed leveled this year. And remember, Katrina was only a category 3 hurricane. Had the levees not have broken, N.O. wouldn’t have been in that bad of a shape.
And Damoon, I am a better captain because I have CERT training, formerly run by FEMA, so I am good at those things.
Yet here is New Orleans who wants to go party yet while people are still lying in their houses.
I forgot to add to that sentence.
Damoon?
Matt?
Neither of you mention how many horse shows you have judged. You may remember that the former head of FEMA was qualified in this area.
I call again for Hank for head of FEMA.
I cannot say he is involved or qualified in horse shows. I did see him writing stuff down at the dog show today!
I’ve been in charge of a psychiatric unit before, I would think that qualifies me a little.Ksfmgrl, thanks for the vote of confidence, I’d feel safe with you in charge too, becuase you’d KICK ASS if people weren’t doing their job!
What the heck does judging a horse show have to do with it!
Don’t read much, huh Matt?
Thank you, Harry!
Adding insult to injury, I see. I don’t see how your “insulting” me is solving the problem.
Is there a problem?
See? I told you I could lead FEMA!