Iraq invasion and occupation, Gulf Coast hurricane disaster have links
Steve Hammons
November 01, 2005
There seem to be some similarities and paradoxes regarding the Pentagonīs preparedness for invasion and occupation of Iraq and FEMAīs preparedness and response in the hurricane Katrina disaster on the Gulf Coast.
In Iraq, civilian officials in the Pentagon went in with inadequate personnel, inadequate supplies and inadequate equipment.
This occurred despite warnings from experienced four-star generals, military professionals and experts, the State Department and others about the need for adequate resources to prevent disaster.
In the Gulf Coast hurricane zone, FEMA went in with inadequate personnel, inadequate supplies and inadequate equipment.
This occurred despite warnings from experienced emergency and disaster experts about the need for adequate resources to prevent further disaster.
In Iraq, mayhem and anarchy spread in Baghdad and large parts of the war zone. It has become very costly, in money and blood, to try to get the situation there under control.
In the Gulf Coast region, mayhem and anarchy spread in New Orleans and large parts the hurricane zone. It became very costly, in money and blood, to try to get the situation there under control.
Is it incompetence, arrogance or part of some strange and covert agenda that these events have unfolded this way?
Is there some value in creating this kind of disorder and disruption that we average citizens do not understand? Did the disorder and violence serve some purpose or plan?
Are there reasons that Baghdad and much of Iraq were allowed to spiral down into mayhem, death and destruction?
Are there reasons that New Orleans and much of the Gulf Coast were allowed to spiral down into mayhem, death and destruction?
The other obvious connection is that thousands of National Guard troops who would be on hand to help in disasters at home are halfway around the world, trying to secure Iraq.
They are bravely trying to accomplish this difficult and dangerous mission.
Of course, the hundreds National Guardsmen who have been killed or terribly injured in Iraq are not able to help with disasters at home.
A paradox exists between the Iraq and Gulf Coast situations too.
It was not urgent or necessary for government officials to send the military, resources, supplies and equipment into Iraq. Yet, they did it.
However, it was urgent and necessary for government officials to send the military, resources, supplies and equipment into the Gulf Coast region after Katrina. Yet, they did not do it.
Wars and invasions as well as disaster response, are the subjects of much training, preparedness, planning and drills.
Despite this, both the Iraq occupation and Katrina response had serious flaws and failings.
There was reportedly much discussion and planning for the invasion of Iraq, but not for the aftermath. And it has not gone well.
There was reportedly much discussion and planning for a disaster such as Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath. And it has not gone well.
AUTHOR NOTE TO READERS: Please visit my Joint Recon Study Group blog.
In Iraq, civilian officials in the Pentagon went in with inadequate personnel, inadequate supplies and inadequate equipment.
This occurred despite warnings from experienced four-star generals, military professionals and experts, the State Department and others about the need for adequate resources to prevent disaster.
In the Gulf Coast hurricane zone, FEMA went in with inadequate personnel, inadequate supplies and inadequate equipment.
This occurred despite warnings from experienced emergency and disaster experts about the need for adequate resources to prevent further disaster.
In Iraq, mayhem and anarchy spread in Baghdad and large parts of the war zone. It has become very costly, in money and blood, to try to get the situation there under control.
In the Gulf Coast region, mayhem and anarchy spread in New Orleans and large parts the hurricane zone. It became very costly, in money and blood, to try to get the situation there under control.
Is it incompetence, arrogance or part of some strange and covert agenda that these events have unfolded this way?
Is there some value in creating this kind of disorder and disruption that we average citizens do not understand? Did the disorder and violence serve some purpose or plan?
Are there reasons that Baghdad and much of Iraq were allowed to spiral down into mayhem, death and destruction?
Are there reasons that New Orleans and much of the Gulf Coast were allowed to spiral down into mayhem, death and destruction?
The other obvious connection is that thousands of National Guard troops who would be on hand to help in disasters at home are halfway around the world, trying to secure Iraq.
They are bravely trying to accomplish this difficult and dangerous mission.
Of course, the hundreds National Guardsmen who have been killed or terribly injured in Iraq are not able to help with disasters at home.
A paradox exists between the Iraq and Gulf Coast situations too.
It was not urgent or necessary for government officials to send the military, resources, supplies and equipment into Iraq. Yet, they did it.
However, it was urgent and necessary for government officials to send the military, resources, supplies and equipment into the Gulf Coast region after Katrina. Yet, they did not do it.
Wars and invasions as well as disaster response, are the subjects of much training, preparedness, planning and drills.
Despite this, both the Iraq occupation and Katrina response had serious flaws and failings.
There was reportedly much discussion and planning for the invasion of Iraq, but not for the aftermath. And it has not gone well.
There was reportedly much discussion and planning for a disaster such as Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath. And it has not gone well.
AUTHOR NOTE TO READERS: Please visit my Joint Recon Study Group blog.
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