acroyear | and for our next trick...

No Se Nada: the magic wand: we'll just call FEMA "NPRA" instead!:

the real story here is the main recommendation of the Collins/Lieberman report:

Our first foundational recommendation is to abolish FEMA and replace it with a stronger, more capable structure, to be known as the National Preparedness and Response Authority (NPRA). To take full advantage of the substantial range of resources DHS has at its disposal, NPRA will remain within DHS. Its Director would be assured of having sufficient access and clout by having the rank of Deputy Secretary, and having a direct line of communication to the President during catastrophes.

Ummm.....ok. I guess. So you're going to abolish FEMA, which is an agency within the Department of Homeland Security. And you're going to replace it with NPRA, another agency within DHS. And this new agency is going to have all the same roles and responsibilities as the old FEMA (see below), and -- if I know how the government works -- is going to have all the same people as FEMA. Really, the only thing that's going to change is:

* The director of the new NPRA will directly communicate with POTUS during catastrophes (very good)
* The big yellow letters on the back of the jackets will change from FEMA to NPRA
* The stationary and business cards will all similarly change

Way to go, team! You solved the problem!! Just rename FEMA!!

What part of "FEMA didn't actually use the substantial range of resources that DHS has at its disposal with Katrina" didn't they actually recall from the hearings? For that matter, what about the whole hassle of DHS not actually having any real money or resources to start with, having shelled it all out on unused infrastructure pieces and random pet projects, none of which have produced a single suspected terrorist yet in any way that wasn't going to happen with the original agencies to start with?