Our own Freedom Fairy drew my attention to the fact that the appointment of Craig Fugate to FEMA is being blocked by Senator David Vitter. Our own Freedom Fairy not only reminded me, but she actually knows and worked with Craig Fugate. So this time around, we have first hand testimony to the quality of The Man.
So what’s David Vitter’s problem with Craig Fugate? Well nothing actually. He just wants himself a little attention for his support–which of course translates into more money that can turn up unaccounted for.
David Vitter: the same guy who tried to block the appointment of Hillary Clinton to SOS (which I don’t mind telling you places him directly on my S list), has this to say about his monkey wrench behavior over the appointment of Craig Fugate as FEMA Director:
I can assure you that this isn’t about politics,” Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) writes in an e-mail complaining about the Obama administration’s handling of his inquires about FEMA.
But click on a “PUTTING LOUISIANA FIRST” logo embedded right next to that quote in the mail, and you’re whisked away to the David Vitter for U.S. Senate website, which says: “We need your help in order to win this campaign.”
“Support David by making a contribution today,” the homepage invites right next to a “DONATE” button. Vitter is up for reelection next year.
Nah, it’s not about politics. Not at all.
Then what IS it about?
With hurricane season approaching, Vitter has stalled Senate confirmation of Craig Fugate (FYOO’-gayt), who was nominated two months ago by President Barack Obama to head the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
White House spokesman Nick Shapiro said Thursday night: “President Obama has followed through on his promise to put politics aside by tapping Craig Fugate, who was originally appointed by [former] Florida Governor Jeb Bush [as chief of emergency management], to lead FEMA. With hurricane season three weeks away, Fugate’s stellar record and bipartisan support deserve Senate confirmation—not partisan posturing from a Louisiana senator who should know better.”
When the nomination was announced, Bush said: “Kudos to President Obama for a great choice.” U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) was quoted as saying Obama “couldn’t have chosen a better FEMA director.”
Joel DiGrado, a Vitter spokesperson, said: “Sen. Vitter is using every means of communication available to explain his reasons for holding the FEMA nominee to Louisianans – namely the more than 70 days it has taken FEMA to make a policy decision that affects people recovering from storms that hit almost four years ago. If anyone is politicizing this, it is the [Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee] and the administration.”
The Tampa Tribune said a fellow Republican, Sen. Mel Martinez (Fla.) considers it “dangerous politics for a Republican from storm-ravaged Louisiana to be holding up the FEMA chief just three weeks before hurricane season starts. ‘He needs to be in there,’ Martinez said. ‘Some people utilize (the nominations) process as a way of making a point, or getting attention.’”
Apparently, Mr. Vitter wants some an$wer$about FEMA as they relate to rebuilding his state that was ravaged by Katrina. I was wondering why he didn’t ask them of President Bush instead–or maybe he did and Bush ignored him after having noticed that there’s never enough money for Louisiana politicians. Maybe it’s because money just seems to disappear when you give it to the state of Louisiana. Google “Lousiana Katrina Corruption” to understand exactly why so many of the billions that were handed to these politicians were routed to God Knows Where.
The fact is, Louisiana high level politicians are either inept at taking care of their own state’s problems or they are too busy doing what Louisiana has been known best for: Looting the coffers for their friends. Lousiana has had the reputation of being the most corrupt political state in the country for decades. It’s only recently that Illinois inched them out of the spotlight. Google “Where did the money go Katrina Lousianaand learn how $60 million in relief money to Mr. Vitter’s state just plain “disappeared”. Now Mr. Vitter is looking for more money to oversee.
At what point does Lousiana as a state plan to take some responsibility for itself and use the many many millions of dollars they have been given to rebuild post-Katrina? You can bet that the French Quarter and all those places frequented by Lousiana’s politicians and wealtheir stock are all restored to pristine condition. All those mansions and any insignificant damage they might have incurred are doing just fine thanks to Federal money, thank you. When it comes to politics and grant money, Louisiana is now and has always been a Black Hole where plenty of money goes in and nothing comes out. Billions of dollars were poured into this state and the money mysteriously never seemed to flow down to the places where the help is really needed. Meanwhile, looking for yet another handout to disperse into the pockets of more friends and relatives, Mr. Vitter is holding up the appointment of a stellar FEMA candidate just as Hurricane Season is about to hit.
Maybe David Vitter should be answering some questions instead of asking them, because this appointment hold-up smells of nothing short of just that: A Holdup.
I thought you might all like to see Fugate’s Biography.
A Floridian with over 28 years experience in emergency services, Craig has been involved in public service most of his adult life. Growing up in Alachua County, Craig was an active member of the Santa Fe High School Chapter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) earning the American Farmer Degree. In addition to emergency management, Craig and his wife Sheree are avid sea kayakers with a web site dedicated to paddling in North Florida at http://www.seakayakflorida.com/.
Presentations:
- International Association of Emergency Managers Annual Conference – Florida’s Hurricane Response 2004
- Florida’s 2004 Storm Hot wash – Orlando, Fl
Awards
- Florida’s Distinguished Service Medal
- National Hurricane Conference Neil Frank Achievement Award
- Inducted into National Guard Hall of Fame
W. Craig FugateAs the Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Mr. Fugate oversees an agency with 138 full time. The Florida Division of Emergency Management coordinates disaster response, recovery, preparedness and mitigation efforts with each of the state’s 67 counties and local governments. In September 2003, the Florida Emergency Management Program became the first statewide emergency management program in the nation to receive full accreditation from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program.From volunteer firefighter, Paramedic, and Lieutenant with Alachua County Fire Rescue, his career in emergency services included serving 10 years as the Emergency Manager for Alachua County, Florida.In May of 1997, he was appointed Chief of the Bureau of Preparedness and Response with the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Over the next four years, the State of Florida faced numerous disasters while continuing to build a nationally recognized emergency management program. His role as the Chief of the State Emergency Response Team saw extensive action in 1998. Florida experienced the impacts of floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and Hurricane Georges resulting in over 200 days of activation for the State Emergency Response Team.In October of 2001, Governor Bush appointed Mr. Fugate to serve as Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. On December 18, 2006, Governor Elect Crist appointed Director Fugate to his administration, the role he continues today.2004 saw the largest response to disasters in Florida history with one tropical storm and four hurricanes (Charlie, Frances, Ivan, and Jean) impacting the State.2005 again was a record setting year for hurricanes, Florida was impacted by four hurricanes, three that made landfall, (Dennis, Katrina, and Wilma), and two tropical storms. Hurricane Katrina became the most costly natural disaster during its second landfall on the Louisiana and Mississippi Coast. Florida’s State Emergency Response Team launched the State’s largest mutual aid response under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact or EMAC in support of the impacted states. Hurricane Wilma made landfall on October 24 on Florida’s SW Coast becoming the 3rd costliest storm in Florida’s history.
Filed under: Uncategorized
--Graphic by Freedom Fairy
--Graphic by Dances With Pumas
"This is not culture. This is not custom. This is criminal."
Thanks, Uppity. Craig Fugate = James Lee Witt x 10 in terms of experience and handling Emergency Situations.
2004 was a HORRIBLE YEAR for Florida Hurricanes. Mr. Fugate made “Brownie” LOOK good.
I was on the phone to someone in Tallahassee a few weeks ago. They had called me to check my availability for the North Florida Floods. I asked him at that time “What’s up with Craig?” He said they were ALL wondering what was taking so long. I joked that “maybe he had paid his taxes”
I regret that joke now. This is the ONLY APPOINTMENT (except MAYBE HRC) Zer0 has appointed who is actually QUALIFIED to do the job. And – he is a helluvaniceguy.
I was on the road with the State Emergency Response Team for 4.5 months working these storms in an ESSENTIAL position, and Craig Fugate’s hand was there the whole time. I worked directly for one of his support Managers. Craig Fugate KNOWS Disasters.
David Vitter is one. And he should be ashamed of himself.
FF,
It may be Craig’s saving grace. working for the Obowma administration hasn’t exactly made Hillary a better person…
Good post. When Ike hit Galveston/Houston – we didn’t wait around for help from FEMA – we just started cleaning up and fixing up for ourselves. LA is a great example of people being dependent on the government. Mr. Fugate sounds like a refreshing addition to FEMA.
A Politician pandering for money. Why does this not surprise me? This idiot is nothing more than a turd stain. He is playing with people’s lives so that he can play politics.
What a Turd!
[...] From my blog. [...]
Vitter is a troublemaker.i hope he gets fired.
http://www.huffingtonpost.xxx/caryl-rivers/elizabeth-edwards-the-gre_b_202335.html
VERY OT, but the latest blast this aft by the HuffPo
at just after 2 PM today has me very livid. WTF
else can they do to Elizabeth Edwards? She is
dying, for God’s sake.
It is titled “Elizabeth Edwards, the green-eyed monster?” The author of this shit-and-run “work
of art” is a woman, Caryl Rivers. It’s such a vicious attack, you’d think Liz is an uber-conservative Ann Coulter, but then, Chris Mathews invited Coulter
to take swipes at Elizabeth on “NOBALLS.” What
is wrong with you, Chris? You let Coulter run all
over you.
Liz invited this? Really? Merely by publishing
a book telling HER story? She brought it on
herself? You can’t be serious. You’d think Liz
was behind the wheel and drove John to
the affair.
What’s wrong with Liz, the dying woman, telling
HER side of the story? She was already raked
over the coals last year for knowing about it,
but choosing to suffer in privacy as a sacrifice
for HIM.
A lot is wrong with her, according to Maureen
Dowd of the failing NYTimes:
“Now Saint Elizabeth has dragged him [her
husband John] back into the public square
for a flogging on Oprah and in Time and at
bookstores near you.” (This is the same
Mo Dowd who mocked John for getting $400
haircuts.)
And Dowd speaks of Elizabeth’s desire “to
prosecute her husband and his former girlfriend
now in public, while still taking the marriage
“month by month.”
In The Daily Beast, Tina Brown says that
Edwards’ new book, Resilience, “just drags
us back into the messy aftermath of the
election season at a time when we are now
busy trying to get on with a collapsing
economy and save our own lives.”
Guess who captured Brown’s sympathy?
“It almost made me feel sorry for the Democratic twinkie John, who was always under the illusion
that he was the next JFK,” she wrote. (good grief)
Awwww….Tina feels for HIM. (sniffle)
Wow….Is this another version of Uppity’s stellar
column “Which Woman Will We Blame Next?”
about the criticism heaped on Sarah Palin after
McCain lost…It wasn’t John’s fault at all, but
HERS!
And there’s the same pattern of women turning
on other women. Way to go, girls! Kick Liz right
into that grave. Men circle the wagons for each
other, as Uppity said. Women turn on each other.
Just terrific.
At the very end, Rivers of HuffPo softens:
“Elizabeth Edwards has taken hold of the one
power she has left–being able to tell her own
story. She’s not thinking of her husband or her
children or the other woman or the other
woman’s child. She’s claiming something
for herself. Judge her if you will–for being
too trusting, too ambitious, too willing to
serve her husband’s ambition, too smart,
too angry, whatever.
But let her have her say.”
Unbelievable. Rivers finally says that after all
the previous crap she threw at Elizabeth.
–H
LA is a great example of people being dependent on the government. Mr. Fugate sounds like a refreshing addition to FEMA.
Bull…fucking…shit!!!!
Look a little further beyond New Orleans, like in my parish of St. Bernard. And don’t forget that when Ike hit Galveston, you didn’t have water sitting for weeks in the affected area. It went it…it went out. You weren’t behind Federal levees and floodwalls that failed.
Also, when you submit tons and tons of worksheets to FEMA, get a pending approval on the cost of repairs to be paid by FEMA and then they change their minds, or that person leave and then next one takes their place and says “nope” to the worksheet costs and you have to start over it gets frustrating.
Here’s what Vitter sent out in an email to his constituents; note I did not say supporters.
One other thing: A lot of lessons were learned from Katrina and so many things were changed afterwards on the actions that states take to get ready and respond. And I won’t forget Gov. Rick “good hair” Perry and the storm the year after Katrina in that massive fuck-up of the evacuation of Houston where traffic was tied up for hours and a bus caught fire killing a bunch of old people from a nursing home.
Vittter’s email:
Feel better?
Fredster – I worked four MAJOR Hurricanes with this man. My OPINION of him comes from my EXPERIENCE with him as my boss….
Vitter, in this comment, sounds just like the thug in the White House: “Last week I sent the acting Administrator a letter of good faith stating
that I would lift my hold on the nominee if FEMA would agree in writing to
my requests,”
MITIGATION is the problem. Bush TOTALLY POLITICIZED FEMA, so did his daddy during Hurricane Andrew – where people were guarding what was left of their belongings with shotguns for three days while these holier than thou snot nosed political bastards got their sct together. The ONE AND ONLY ACT that they are REQUIRED TO DO as President, and that is to protect Americans…from external and internal threats.
James Lee Witt was a real Emergency Manager. Bush TOTALLY F***ed UP FEMA, and then “looks like a nazi to me” Chertoff was having a constant pissing contest with “Brownie.”
The people be damned. More elitist BS – Just like Obama. But this is the ONE THING he has done right, and for Vitter to hold up Fugate’s nomination for his old fights is self-serving and ridiculous. So long as we, as a country, continue to build and live in flood zones, whether it be The LA Delta Islands, Houston, built in a swamp and where I lived for years, or on the banks of the Mississippi or in earthquake and wildfire zones, we will have catastrophic consequences when mother nature does what it does. The Federal Government, and the Stafford Act were never meant to be a bank for those who CONTINUE to make bad choices.
I am so annoyed at this statement of Vitter’s, “We had enough problems with FEMA during the last administration. We don’t
need the same old FEMA under this new administration.”
For him, who cheated on his wife and wears diapers while doing it to be the sole judge and jury as to the forward looking function of this new director is nothing but self-serving and patently offensive.
I have worked in disasters since Hurricane Andrew. With the American Red Cross and the State of Florida. I am a former employee of the DHS and I wanted to work for FEMA SO BADLY after I returned from responding to 9-11 in New York until BUSH SCREWED WHAT HAD BEEN A STELLAR AGENCY into the ground. Your response, as well as Vitter’s, shows the ignorance of the over all Agency (how it was) and the selfless dedication of those who go into that work.
The culture of the Agency with BUSH’S Federal Response Plan was destroyed from within. I had to take the FEMA Exam for the FRP and I remember I called my boss and expressed my concerns that this was all about who had the biggest dick, and RESPONSE was no where to be seen. Within weeks, we had Katrina, and the FRP worked exactly as written.
I lived in Galveston as well, and was in New Orleans a year after Katrina. Although very different, the destruction to the families and businesses involved was equal to THEM. It sounds like you had a LOUSY experience, or those you know did – but believe me, it is MY estimation that Craig will bring this Agency BACK to the Pre-Bush status, and that we as a nation will be really prepared to respond.
That being said, remember, Hurricane Katrina DESTROYED 93,000,000 NINETY THREE MILLION square miles of the gulf coast. No matter how much money, nor how many personnel nor how many volunteers, government and relief organizations are involved…NO ONE GROUP can handle that much destruction.
The United States Coast Guard were the real heroes in Katrina. They didn’t have to wait for paperwork. They just went. That is they way I believe Fugate will run the Agency.
He has a lot of rebuilding to do, both in functionality and morale, but Vitter needs to get out of the way and let him do so and stop grandstanding ….
It is a distraction Hal. EE is going to dye. That is a fact. Edwards camp knew about the affair. Anthony said it best, “The only thing I can think of that could be more dishonorable and despicable is to throw Mrs. Edwards under the bus, making her a pinata for the press just to distract us from Edwards’ true function in the Iowa primary.”
The HuffyPoo is a pile of sh*t. Those people had better hope and pray that they never have to walk in EE’s shoes for even a minute, because they are incapable.
FF: I’m not knocking Mr. Fugate. But I’m not happy with a blanket statement about we how had to deal with Katrina. It was totally different from the aftermaths of other hurricanes because other areas are not protected by levees and floodwalls and water stayed in there for weeks to be pumped out.
My parents and I lived in St. Bernard for over 30+ years and never had a thought about levees, not just being overtopped, but collapsing!! That wasn’t FEMA, it was the Corps of Engineers and we in SBP tried for years to get that thing closed.
We did not stay for Katrina, The Friday before it hit I saw on TV at work it was not moving up the gulf coast of FL, saw the projected path and called my mom to tell her to start packing stuff up. We left on Sunday before it hit. And really, I have little sympathy for people who had the means and ability to evacuate and who did not. All you had to do was to see that thing on radar with the size and Cat 5 status and you knew you had to get away from it.
What bothered me was it wasn’t anyone from the U.S. government who were the first into St. Bernard Parish, it was the Canadians! Yea Mounties!! But you are also right about the Coast Guard, they were the heroes of that storm.
The Stafford Act is in desperate need of revision because it was never set up to handle the wide scale destruction that came from Katrina.
We aren’t back to the area yet; the momster is still in the nursing home and she wants to go back. Me too, because i just love the area and the lifestyle. So it looks like we’ll be heading back, right at the start of another hurricane season.
Oh, and I think Vitter is a douchebag. He’s doing this stuff for 2 reasons: 1, he’s an asshole. 2. He’s up for reelection. Sadly it looks like he’ll get back in.
UW: Do I feel better? Nah, but I hate blanket statements about an area or the people.
FF said:
Your response, as well as Vitter’s, shows the ignorance of the over all Agency (how it was) and the selfless dedication of those who go into that work.
My response was based on what I read about all the nonsenses that went on with the payments for damages to infrastructure. I’ve seen similar things before because I worked for the Feds for over 30 years. Sometimes it seems no one wants to make a definitive decision. From what I read the parish government could call 3 to 4 people and get 3 to 4 different answers on things, due to interpretations of the Stafford Act. (see my comment above)
The Act needs to be completely overhauled or thrown out and something new developed.
Fredster – thanks so much for clarifying. Really. I have been to SBP and I understand your desire to return. I worked in Gulfport (MISS) for a month almost exactly a year after the storm and was horrified about the destruction. I drove all along the coast and then to NO and it looked like a nuclear wasteland in so many places. Yes, the ACE were in charge of the levees, and they were in bad shape all over.
I really feel for you. I hope you and your mom can get home soon, and I hope you will be safe as the new hurricane season arrives. You were smart to leave, and it is a shame so many people are still so uneducated when it comes to the strength and power of these storms. I live on an island near the mouth of Tampa Bay. When Hurricane Charlie, the first of the four storms of ‘04 was tracking up the coast, where I live was the projected landfall sight as little as 12 hours before it came ashore in Port Charlotte, south of me. I will NEVER forget the resignation I felt when I packed up all I could in my car…the pictures, the papers, some art work and the animals and left my home…furniture stacked on furniture and the Electrical Main pulled out of the box….
I called my sister in Atlanta and said “This time tomorrow I may really need some help” and off I went to the highest, driest place I could find with a friend…to wait. I had been called by the state 72 hours before to check my availability for response. I told them I was available…if I still had a home.
I feel your pain. Honest.
I agree that portions of the Stafford Act need to be revamped, but I also believe we need to be much more proactive in mitigation efforts in this country. We are broke already as a nation. Another Katrina, a 9/11 or something worse will do well to take us down the tubes completely….especially with this bunch of neophytes in charge.
Pray Craig gets the thumbs up. At least he wont be getting his shirt starched and monogrammed while people are dying.
XO
FF
Two things, Fredster,
1. I’m surprised that there aren’t torches and pitchforks chasing after Vitter and others of rank in that state. A lot of money passed through their hands but it didn’t reach where it was supposed to go. And of course they knew of the danger for decades but so long asTHEY were on High Ground, they just figured it was no big deal. Everybody else was expendable.Ditto for the Federal Level as well.
2, Aunt Uppity loves you.
2A. Every time I see you use “Momster” it tugs my heart. This is because that is exactly what I called my mother. It was a running joke for many many years and I never knew anyone else who called their Mom Momster.
Freedom Fairy and Uppity:
I hate to say it but probably Vitter is going to get back in. So far there’s no one to run against him and he has over 2 mill. in his reelection fund. I have no idea who might run on the Dem side. I **do** wish we still had open primaries in the Congressional races but the state did away with it.
I know they are building smarter in SBP. They have gotten 3 or 4 fire stations rebuilt and living quarters are upstairs and the bldgs. are designed with breakaway walls on the bottom so if water does come in, the walls break open and the water flows through w/out damaging the bldg. structurally.
Some people who rebuilt where they got big surges in the water that pushed their homes off the slabs have rebuilt with the houses on pilings. The only problem with that is that what the ins. pays for elevation is nowhere near the cost. We got our permits in, in time, so we don’t have to elevate. And, in comparative terms, we only got 5 feet of water but it didn’t surge in. The house is still sound structurally so we will just repair it.
Back to Vitter: Sadly when you get out of the nola area, and head north you can’t tell northern LA from, say, Miss or Ala. Same mindset. Vitter will probably coast in.
LA is turning more and more red, but these days I can’t tell much difference in the parties.