Gustav and the Federalist System
AP: With Gustav approaching hurricane strength and showing no signs of veering off a track to slam into the Gulf Coast, authorities across the region began laying the groundwork Thursday to get the sick, elderly and poor away from the shoreline.
The first batch of 700 buses that could ferry residents inland were being sent to a staging area near New Orleans, and officials in Mississippi were trying to decide when to move Katrina-battered residents along the coast who were still living in temporary homes, including trailers vulnerable to high wind.
The planning for a potential evacuation is part of a massive outline drafted after Hurricane Katrina slammed ashore three years ago, flooding 80 percent of New Orleans and stranding thousands who couldn't get out in time. As the region prepared to mark the storm's anniversary Friday, officials expressed confidence those blueprints made them ready for Gustav. CONTINUED
Oddly enough, the lesson today in my American Government class was on Federalism, or how US government powers are divided amongst the many--from individual citizen, to town, all the way up the top. The intent of the founders, of course, was to ensure the central government didn't encroach on and seize the rights of the people.
Overall the system's worked well, barring issues like the Dred Scott case (Supreme Court determined the Fed could not interfere with slavery, which were state rights) or the 21 drinking age (no federal law mandates a 21 drinking age, but the fed pressured the states to comply through legal bribery).
But where Federalism usually breaks down is in times of national crisis. Case in point: Katrina (tomorrow, ironically, is the 3-year anniversary of Katrina's landfall on the continental US).
First of all, the combined resources of New Orleans and Louisiana were flat out overwhelmed--but even though the LA National Guard was trained to handle crises, Gov Blanco was reluctant to activate them since she didn't want them federalized (i.e. state military forces taken over by national command and control). Blanco also didn't clearly define here needs from FEMA, to include not requesting federal military assistance.
Transportation, evacuation and medical broke down from lack of coordination at all levels of government. It's a shame the ugly side of the federal system was exposed from lost lives and property, but in the end at least it was a wake-up call. At least on paper Louisiana and federal authorities have a plan; better yet, they've actually trained together. Although I certainly don't want Gustav to strike, if it does I hope we'll see the ghost of Katrina vanish.
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I heard Rush speaking this morning about this, and it appears that it may touch down on the border of LA and Texas. Ya never know, though.
Great post. One thing you forgot. President Bush had been trying to get her to let him help at least 4 days before this avoidable tragedy. Even afterward, she would not give him permission to help. He cannot trespass a state's sovereignty.
Too bad they don't feel the same way about our borders... *sigh*
Posted by: Rosemary | 29 August 2008 at 00:15
From a Guard perspective, Title 32 allows NG troops to supplement and act as law enforcement. Title 10 forces can not do this per posse comitatus, except I think under extreme circumstances (ie, the whole COUNTRY got Katrina'd or something that bad)
You don't necessarily want to "federalize" your Guard troops right away, not if the local and state LE folks need the help.
Posted by: MOGS | 29 August 2008 at 14:55