I don't really feel that the appointment of the VP is another layer. It is simply a matter of good politics and making sure the White House has a face in that region for the voters to see they are activity involved in the recovery activity. Like it or not this is what the average voter wants to see. How many times has the media asked over the past several days "Who's in Charge"? Well here is your answer.

Over the past two years working at the State level I have shielded myself with facts, figures, plans and resources and forgot about the human side. I have actually, until the other night, gotten to the point where catastrophic events such as this are a matter of routine programming…meaning get to the EOC stand up this, do that etc. This in turn placed that barrier around me in which I forgot about the 3 year old boy looking me in the eyes. I had to wonder the other night looking at his little eyes if he was wondering who I was and how I was going to help. I managed to find a teddy bear at the local Wal-Greens and give it to him. All the while he was hiding behind mom peeking out just enough to try to figure out who this man was and why did he come into my world.

I think we sometimes get so wrapped up in our planning to these events that we forget that we must focus on the needs of “real people” and the “human factor”. The political world overshadows the real world and real needs. Look at your kids, your wives (husbands) your family, everything that you own as ask yourself this “If I were to lose it all and have nothing and be told I must temporary move to another state would you really give a damn who or what was in charge?” No you would want to “self preserve” and rebuild your life as quickly as possible.

Everyone including everyone one of us on this list failed. We have spent billions on Terrorism prevention and preparedness but we have robbed Peter to give to Paul. Quit sending funding overseas to other countries and give back to those OEM at the State Level. Don’t create more bureaucracy by funneling funding through State DHS offices but give it to the States directly to give local EM what they need. One area the Feds could improve in “don’t take the majority of tax dollars but leave them at the State Level for providing their own needs and their own protection use”. We have communities here in Oklahoma that have not have EWS systems that were purchased in the 1950's for the old Civil Defense. However, we can send billions overseas to foreign countries to improve their life styles and not take care of our own citizens.

Working the State EOC for the past several days I am appalled at what our State Senators and Federal Representatives have allowed by the deterioration of this facility. They are working with limited funds all the while watching as “terrorism prevention” builds up something that may never be used. It just makes me sick and sick to be an American.

Who failed in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama? WE ALL DID!