FEMA Chief Relieved of Katrina Duties
WASHINGTON – FEMA Director Michael Brown is being removed from his role in managing the Bush administration’s Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and is returning to Washington.
Brown, who has been under fire for the federal government’s slow response to the storm that devastated much of the Gulf Coast region, will be replaced by Coast Guard Vice Adm. Thad W. Allen, who was overseeing New Orleans relief and rescue efforts.
Asked if he was being made a scapegoat for a federal relief effort that has drawn widespread and sharp criticism, Brown told The Associated Press after a long pause: "By the press, yes. By the president, No."
Note that he is not being fired (and why not? – I ask); he’s merely being moved out of harm’s way. Or the media’s.
I love Michelle Malkin’s positive spin. She asks if Brown’s removal means that Bush is a wimpy pussy responding to public and media pressure. She then answers her own question:
Answer: No. It makes him someone who has put accountability over cronyism in a time of crisis. Good for him.
In other words, cronyism is okay, but not in times of crisis. And kudos for Bush for recognizing that cronyism has it’s proper time and place, but not now.