After investigating the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Tom Kean, Lee Hamilton, and their fellow commissioners highlighted system problems within the federal bureaucracy that prevent the government from responding efficiently in the event of a crisis. Unfortunately, many of their recommendations were ignored or put off — and now Kean and Lee Hamilton are saying “We told you so.” (thanks to reader B.H. for the tip)
America’s response to Hurricane Katrina was hamstrung by well-known system-wide problems that could have been fixed but went unattended and wound up costing lives, the two men who led an inquiry into the September 11, 2001, attacks said.
Former New Jersey Gov. Thomas Kean, the moderate Republican who led the independent panel known informally as the September 11 commission, and his Democratic vice-chairman Lee Hamilton said the response was undermined largely by a lack of command.
They also cited emergency communications problems and a failure to target resources at communities facing the greatest risk of natural or man-made disaster.
“The same mistakes made on 9/11 were made over again, in some cases worse,” Kean said. “Those are system-wide failures that can be fixed and should have been fixed right away.”
Added Hamilton: “I’m surprised, I’m disappointed and maybe even a little depressed that we did not do better four years after 9/11. It says we’re still very vulnerable.”
Now, if only the Republican attack machine can figure out a way to blame this on Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco and New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin. It might be tough, but I’m sure they’ll think of something.