[at-l] Natural Disasters and Solutions to Future Problems

[Bror8588 at aol.com (Bror8588@aol.com)]

In a message dated 9/2/2005 5:06:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time,  
atr3dhead@gmail.com writes:

I have a question on this topic, and would appreciate if anyone could  tell 
me if I was hallucinating, or if my local paper is perhaps on  drugs.  But did 
Bush really say something to the effect that we will take  care of our own, 
and we really don't need any of the help being offered by all  the countries 
that have so far offered money, portable hospitals, and numerous  other forms of 
aid? 



I read the NY Times and other papers but did not see any reference to a  
refusal of aid from other countries; however, that does not mean that he didn't  
say that.  If so it was a foolish statement as the amount of aid needed is  
beyond comprehension at this time.  
 
The anger expressed in the Letters to the Editor and by some on this  Website 
regarding the looters and such is a startling reminder that there are  those 
who do not understand what it means to be poor, confused, unable to  
comprehend the enormity of the situation, and without private transportation to  escape 
an impending storm.  Someone suggested to me that there was a hope  that 
overshadowed practical thinking, which precluded a proper plan to cope with  
disaster.  
 
As I ruminate about the situation I think that FEMA needs an advisory board  
consisting of a representative from each of the national agencies that have  
experience with coping with disasters.  There should be a plan of action  for 
every conceivable threat to our "homeland security" whether attack from a  
terrorist group or more likely from weather.  This Advisory Board should  have 
power to enact planning and require that FEMA adhere to suggested  plans.  
 
Those members of the Advisory Board would include representation from The  
Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Medical, Police, Fire, and Long Term Care  
facilities, Church World Service, The United Nations World Relief Organization,  
Doctors without Borders, and other such organizations.  The makeup of the  board 
should be persons who are authorized to speak for the various  organizations 
and also be persons who have actual experience in dealing with  disaster type 
situations.  In the publicity for public contributions The  Salvation Army 
indicated some detailed plans for their involvement in New  Orleans and their 
readiness to put into action their plans.  Perhaps some  Architectural or 
Construction input into planning would be helpful as  well.  The U.S, Army Corps of 
Engineers might be included.  There  are Hurricanes, Floods, Fires, etc., that 
happen all over the country from time  to time.  All contingencies need to be 
explored and plans to stem the  disasters need to be implemented.
 
I am surprised that this is not already in place but there may be "control  
issues" at stake and we know what happened with those issues prevented  
communication between the law enforcement agencies in the Federal Government in  the 
recent past.
 
The President of the United States is the only one who can implement this  by 
fiat.  Congress could pass a law that it happens and then the  President 
would either sign it into law or put forth suggestions for  improving any 
implementation.  Of course, Congress would have to fund  the costs of such planning 
and implementation.
 
Perhaps letters toward accomplishing this might provide impetus toward its  
adoption and reality.
 
Skylander Jack