Former FEMA director Michael Brown spreading the blame
(28.09.2005)

The former director of Fema (The Federal Emergency Management Authority), Michael Brown, has placed the blame for the slow response to Hurricane Katrina on Louisiana's governor and the Mayor of New Orleans.

Michael Brown was giving testimony at a special Congressional committee when he made the accusation and added "I know what I'm doing, and I think I do a pretty darn good job of it"

Unfortunately for Michael Brown, not too many others shared his opinion and he was relieved of control in the Katrina relief and resigned (or was forced to quit) 3 days later.

President Bush had selected Brown for the job and even complimented him on doing a "heck of a job" shortly before he was relieved of command. It was revealed that Brown lacked the experience for the position and this played a part in his downfall. Clearly his appointment was more a case of "jobs for the boys" than a position gained on merit and we dare say Brown is not the only person who has been placed in a position he doesn't deserve.

Unfortunately, unqualified people can often go unnoticed until their abilities are put to the test and sadly it took one of the worst natural disasters in America's history to find Michael Brown out. But it would be wrong to place all of the blame on his shoulders, many others were found lacking in this disaster and even the President should accept blame for appointing such a person in the first place.

Perhaps, if a more normal system of selecting a candidate was used, instead of allowing those with the most voting power to force a selection through, maybe people with the right qualifications would receive the job?

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