Homeland Security Has "Primary Responsibility" for Large Disasters

Just in case you're tempted to fall prey to today's Bush Administration rhetoric and rationalizations blaming state and local officials ...and just about everyone else they can... for the humanitarian and economic debacle of biblical-porportions in New Orleans and beyond in the post-Hurricane Katrina failures.....

Here is the US Homeland Security's own description of its role in domestic Emergencies and Disasters, taken from and linked to its website:

"In the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency, the Department of Homeland Security will assume primary responsibility on March 1st for ensuring that emergency response professionals are prepared for any situation.

This will entail providing a coordinated, comprehensive federal response to any large-scale crisis and mounting a swift and effective recovery effort. The new Department will also prioritize the important issue of citizen preparedness.

Educating America's families on how best to prepare their homes for a disaster and tips for citizens on how to respond in a crisis will be given special attention at DHS."

Don't buy the victim card now being played by the White House.