No sooner has the news of the Michael Brown’s hurricane relief disaster disappeared from the news, than history is about to repeat itself.
Michael Brown was appointed by President Bush as one of thousands of cronies. “Brownie” had no applicable experience in disaster recovery and was quickly replaced after his poor performance in the Katrina recovery effort with Vice Admiral Thad Allen from the Coast Guard. Vice Adm Allen knew about disasters – he had related experience. Soon, even though it was a mistake to put someone in charge without related experience, it appears that President Bush still has plenty of cronies to appoint. (I guess the Vice Adm forgot to send in his check?)
According to an article on page A7 of the November 2, 2005, Houston Chronicle by Alexis Grant, Donald Powell will be replacing the Vice Adm “by the end of the year.” Check out Mr. Powell’s qualifications. Like “Brownie” being a crony is ranked higher as a job requirement than experience. In fact, according to Alexis Grant, Powell became a member of a group referred to as the Pioneers after “he raised at least $100,000 for the presidential campaign” for President Bush.
It’s a good thing the hurricane season is about over – but will there be a sense of deja vu all over again after the first hurricane hits America next year.
Andy Hailey