Michael Brown Replaced

Michael Brown, the much-praised-by-President-Bush director of FEMA, has been removed from his job as the overseer of the Katrina relief efforts. The Coast Guard Vice Admiral Thad Allen has taken over the duties he once tried to fulfill.

Telling is this article from Donklephant, by Justin Gardner, where it is made clear the Mr. Brown’s only job in any emergency management capacity was serving as an assistant city manager with emergency services oversight. That’s right – assistant. See his bio here.

What is interesting about this is that during this stint in high-level emergency management, from 1975 to 1978, “overseeing” the division, is that he was a student! Yes I can see a student being given such a responsibility at that young age. Bill Dashner, the former city manager of Edmond says that Mr. Brown was loyal, and wrote some speeches for him. Yes, definately qualifying material for the head of FEMA.

Justin goes on to point out that 5 out of the top 8 officials at FEMA have little to no experience in handling disasters! This is quoting the Washington Post article:

FEMA’s top three leaders — Director Michael D. Brown, Chief of Staff Patrick J. Rhode and Deputy Chief of Staff Brooks D. Altshuler — arrived with ties to President Bush’s 2000 campaign or to the White House advance operation, according to the agency. Two other senior operational jobs are filled by a former Republican lieutenant governor of Nebraska and a U.S. Chamber of Commerce official who was once a political operative.

Thankfully for the survivors of Katrina, someone with real experience has taken over the post of overseeing the Katrina relief efforts, Coast Guard Vice Admiral Thad Allen, who was already overseeing the New Orleans relief and rescue efforts.