The Morning Joe crew laments Obama didn't spend enough time in New Orleans and they say his response to a town hall question on Katrina wasn't good enough, that he was professorial. But Katrina wasn't at the forefront of the town haller's minds. There was only one question at the town hall on Katrina. The rest of the questions were about national issues, such as health care.
Then, the talking heads with sad faces went on to say there was no progress in New Orleans. They are dead wrong. See below.
Here's the deal. Obama has people. He's not a one-man show, despite the fact that he's here, there and everywhere.
He has people, such as Craig Fugate, head of FEMA, who has been getting sterling praise for getting things done in New Orleans. FEMA has a staff of people. Obama has staff who visit New Orleans.
FEMA has been coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security.
This video is just a bunch of talking heads trying to pretend like they truly care. "Let's name New Orleans Goldman Sachs." Ridiculous. Perhaps the talking heads do care. But they haven't done their research. All anyone has to do to find out what FEMA is doing in New Orleans is visit FEMA.gov:
In August, FEMA announced major funding for New Orleans:
Release from Homeland Security: This video is just a bunch of talking heads trying to pretend like they truly care. "Let's name New Orleans Goldman Sachs." Ridiculous. Perhaps the talking heads do care. But they haven't done their research. All anyone has to do to find out what FEMA is doing in New Orleans is visit FEMA.gov:
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) announced an additional $260.3 million for projects throughout the New Orleans area, including funding to Dillard University, Templeman Prison I and II and the Gaslight Apartments. These announcements bring the total public assistance funds obligated for Louisiana recovery projects since Jan. 20, 2009 to more than $1 billion.Here is what FEMA is doing for railroad recovery:
"FEMA is working closely with our state and local partners to push money down into the hands of locals as quickly as possible," said FEMA's Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office Acting Director Tony Russell. "Our recent funding reflects these efforts to provide tremendous support so that projects can move toward completion." Read more here
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano yesterday joined President Obama, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley in New Orleans to see Hurricanes Katrina and Rita recovery efforts firsthand—her third visit to the Gulf Coast since January.
At the University of New Orleans, Secretary Napolitano joined President Obama, Secretary Donovan, Secretary Duncan and Chair Sutley at a town hall meeting to hear directly from Louisiana residents about ongoing rebuilding efforts.
During the town hall, President Obama highlighted the Long Term Recovery Working Group, co-chaired by Secretary Napolitano and Secretary Donovan, which will provide operational guidance for recovery organizations and help ensure a more resilient nation.
Additionally, Secretary Napolitano attended the National Fusion Center Directors Meeting to discuss the Department’s progress toward becoming the single focal point of information on homeland security threats for state and local law enforcement officers.
She also visited the Vessel Traffic Center, a U.S. Coast Guard-operated interagency facility responsible for managing 20 miles of complex waterways on the Lower Mississippi River, and received a briefing on current Coast Guard maritime operations.
Secretary Napolitano’s trip highlights DHS’ continued commitment to providing federal support for rebuilding and security efforts throughout the Gulf Coast through coordination with federal, state, local and tribal partners.
