Define "works".

It would work as well as it does for healthcare

Bush appointed former FEMA director Michael "you're doing a heckva job " Brown states that Obama acted too soon .

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/1...p_ref=politics

You can't make this stuff up..

You've hit the nail on the head here. It reminds me of Michael Moore's observation that Americans are in a constant state of alarm. To make it past the background levels of hyperbole, I suppose there's no other choice than going yet further over the top.

This is a cultural difference I struggled with a lot when I first lived here. Now, I suppose I have learnt to tune it out. If we recast the point as "isn't it a shame that the constant fear-mongering by the media in the US has desensitised people to vital warnings", then I tend to agree.

For the record, I absolutely support the gravity that the authorities gave this situation. There is no way they should have lightened up their measures and I see the 'lack of disaster' as testament to their efforts. The media pack, however, leaves a lot to be desired.

In other words badly.

The man is clearly challenged in the common sense area. Of course everyone knows what an abject failure he was, so there is that.

That is a pity. I hold no brief for Brownie, but he was the wrong man in the wrong position. When FEMA was included in Homeland Security, Chertoff took the FEMA people and re-assigned them to the HS side of things. He put everything into prevention and nothing into mitigation. Brown was unqualified for the job but even if he had been, the result would have been the same, Brown couldn't get in to see Chertoff. The problem with Katrina was that nobody was in the lead. Ray Nagin (Mayor of New Orleans) didn't talk to the governor, the governor didn't talk to FEMA, they assumed that FEMA would move in but FEMA needs to be invited in by the governor, not that they were ready but...

As to Romney wanting to close FEMA and put the responsibility on the states, The states would have to form a cooperative to replace it because they couldn't each carry on and maintain the reserves that FEMA does. Plainly ridiculous.

I agree. Two people were killed by a falling tree about one mile away from where we live.

We have no power, no heating, no cellular service...almost every shop/gas station/biz is closed. We have roof damage and several large trees down...including a huge 100+ft fir tree. Insurance doesn't cover cost of removing the trees.

We are driving around at the moment and have picked up cell service. Lost count of the number of trees dangerously over hanging the roads. The only thing stopping them from dropping on the ground is the power cables they are resting on. Hopefully when they do drop no-one is underneath them.

We haven't seen any power company trucks around...so not expecting power anytime soon. Still we are both safe...that's the main thing.

My neighbour had three trees crashing through the roof of their house. They have three small children and were visibly in shock yesterday morning. Their driveway is blocked...my husband drove one of our cars over for them to use.

Scary stuff!

Thanks for checking in - I was wondering how you were getting on as you had been quiet for a while.

Glad you are safe and sound...

Glad to hear you are safe and well, I was a wee bit concerned having not seen any posts from you. Hope there is no more to come and you soon get power etc back.

We drove past one of the few gas stations in NJ that's open. The queue was horrendous. Vehicles blocking a dual carriageway trying to join the queue...several fender benders as people are trying to push their way in.

Saw one house that was almost cut in half by two large trees that had fallen through the roof. Hope the occupants are OK.

We are lucky in this area because we are not prone to flooding. It must be hell for those poor people.

Thanks for checking in. Relieved to hear that both of you are safe. Must have been really scary.

Linesmen from canada are either on their way or have arrived to help get the power back on in different areas.

How is the gasoline situation? After the earthquake and tsunami I experienced last year in Japan, there was an extreme shortage as roads etc had been destroyed so deliveries couldn't be made to gasoline stands (for the same reason there were food shortages)

Thank you, that was the point I was trying to make but badly. You have said it far more eloquently.

I'm sorry if anyone thought that I was trying to make light of the suffering of individuals and their communities, that's really not what I was trying to do. And Jerseygirl, I'm very glad you're ok.

On another point, how do those of us not affected help those who are? In the UK you'd normally have an appeal going by now, or at least be able to send money and/or goods via the WRVS or other local organisations. How do we do that here?