Rivelazioni di un dirigente FEMA al programma YV della ABC Nightline

NIGHTLINE: FEMA Whistleblower: Chertoff Impeding Rescue NOW!
Whistleblower: Chertoff Impeding Rescue NOW!
by Levity
Tue Sep 13th, 2005 at 13:42:57 PDT
On last night's Nightline, FEMA staffer Leo Bosner appeared, careful to say he was giving his personal views, not the agency's official ones. He spoke quietly but did not mince words:
"Right now as we talk, unfortunately, Homeland Security is actually impeding - in my view - impeding the rescue effort. As I mentioned, we're running a 24/7 operation down there and we're trying to do the best we can at FEMA. And we're getting held back because we're bombarded with telephone calls, day and night, from Homeland Security, saying, `Oh, Secretary Chertoff has a press conference coming up, uh, stop everything and get us this information: Can you tell us exactly how many pounds of ice have been delivered to such and such county,' or, `Why are the number of rescues different from what they were six hours ago?' They're impeding the effort right now."
Below: some of the strongest whistleblowing I've ever seen on Nightline.
And it's all the more impressive because Leo Bosner is very low key and credible. He was answering Nightline's questions. About Michael Brown's new replacement as FEMA director:
"I've never met Chief Paulison. I've heard good things about him. He's a former Fire Chief. As far as I know he's the only top executive at FEMA who does have an emergency management background. I don't think it really resolves a lot of the long term problems at FEMA, but it's a good first step."
"Unless things get cleaned up pretty soon, a lot more FEMA employees are going to be retiring or leaving in the next few months. ...We're in this mission because we care about trying to protect lives and property in disasters. We've been pushed aside by Mr. Chertoff and Homeland Security, who've drained our staff and drained our budget, and now our leadership doesn't even seem to understand what a catastrophic plan is."
"As far as the politicalization, that's been something that baffles me. I'm not a politician, I'm a civil servant. And Democrats and Republicans alike in their ranks have plenty of well-qualified people to do these jobs. But instead we pick Congressmen who haven't won re-election - college friends of college friends - and it's starting to show."
Bosner has been speaking out quietly for weeks. On September 2nd, he politely explained that FEMA director Michael Brown, who finally resigned yesterday, is "a nice guy, very caring and sincere... I don't think he has the qualifications for the job."
But Brown's incompetence and his departure represent just the tip of the iceberg, and replacing him will solve very little. Let's hope while Bush suddenly starts "taking responsibility," Bosner doesn't receive the administration's usual whistleblower treatment - a demotion or other attack.
Final question to Bosner: Are you an optimist or a pessimist about the future of FEMA?
Long thoughtful pause:
"Well, you're asking me to look into the future. I would hope, I would hope that the administration would realize they need to take this seriously, make FEMA an independent agency, and put someone in charge who has an emergency background. If they do that, I can be an optimist. If not - I'll take my retirement."

www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/13/164257/615