That is the only message I can take from the fact that the chief of disaster recovery for Louisiana’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness was in New York this week speaking at a symposium.

Speaking at a symposium in New York, Arthur Jones, chief of disaster recovery for Louisiana’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said he was caught off guard by the violence in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina….
Jones said the flow of aid to the city was delayed because officials were not able to guarantee the safety of American Red Cross workers and other volunteers.

Thats strange Mr. Jones, I thought you told the Red Cross to stay out of the city:

The state Homeland Security Department had requested–and continues to request–that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans following the hurricane. Our presence would keep people from evacuating and encourage others to come into the city.

In other news, Blanco is complaining that FEMA isn’t collecting the bodies fast enough, yet:
Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesman David Passey said the state asked to take over body recovery last week. “The collection of bodies is not normally a FEMA responsibility,” he said.

So once more the state of Louisiana screws up and lies about it. But its still all George Bush’s fault.