They Can't Say They Didn't Know

Further proof that the federal government must carry the greatest blame for the lack of response to Hurricane Katrina. FEMA's own Hurricane Pam project, begun last year in Baton Rouge, LA, reveals:

"Federal support must be provided in a timely manner to save lives, prevent human suffering and mitigate severe damage," the report says. "This may require mobilizing and deploying assets before they are requested via normal (National Response Plan) protocols."

On the defensive, White House officials have said Louisiana and New Orleans officials did not give FEMA full control over disaster relief. The so-called Hurricane Pam plan, which was never put into effect, envisions giving the federal government authority to act without waiting for an SOS from local officials.