Ghostwriter

I've been able to write the entirety of this post during the rain delays during tonight's Twins game versus the Orioles.

There's been a lot of talk lately about who will be come the new director of FEMA. Louisiana senator, David Vitter, has successfully blocked the nomination of Craig Fugate, the former head of Florida's emergency response agency, until he can guarantee FEMA support in New Orleans, a legitimate request...almost. It seems that it takes a major natural disaster to get the state of Louisiana to accept the help that they are given. I say that because Louisiana, especially New Orleans, is resistant to any support in making emergency preparedness plans on the part of FEMA until after Hurricane Katrina, when Governor Blanco hired former FEMA director James Lee Witt to oversee the reconstruction efforts. James Lee Witt, while the director of FEMA, was the same person to inform the city of New Orleans that they were grossly unprepared for a major natural disaster, such as, say, a hurricane.

So, does it really matter who is appointed as a FEMA director when New Orleans has a long track record of not accepting help from FEMA to create emergency management plans? It's easy to understand why FEMA is hesitant to dole out blank checks. Additionally, why does it suddenly matter who is appointed to the role of FEMA director? Nearly four years after Katrina, is New Orleans having a change of heart? Perhaps you should rally for FEMA to be a legitimate department again instead of a bastardized subdivision of the Department of Homeland Security. That, in my opinion, is much more important than holding a new director hostage in return for a big check. I think it's time for Mr. Vitter to give up the ghost and pick his battles more wisely.

Currently in heavy rotation:


Cat Power - Rockets

The Plastic Constellations - Best Things

Defiance, Ohio - Condition 11:11