Viewed from outside, the lack of quick (re)action was very surprising. A disaster of a similar dimension would have been handled differently over here (one difference of course: a train can carry more than 2,000 people at a time).

in my perception, the blame of incompetence and unpreparedness rests on all levels of government. A governor of a state that is know to be vulnerable by natural disasters has to be prepared to know what and how to do in such a situation. At least one of her staff has to have the knowledge. If she has to be told what to do she is a failure. As McGrath has said either here or in another thread, preparation and planning has to start much more early than 24 hours before a hurricane.

I have not the slightest idea whether governor Blanco is Dem or Rep, white or coloured, but she and not only Bush alone (but him too) has given a lousy job performance in these days.

Wolfgang