NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- A New Orleans Times-Picayune editorial urges the end of turf wars in Hurricane Katrina's wake so the task of rebuilding Louisiana can take priority.
The newspaper said the Federal Emergency Management Agency has earned scorching criticism for its slow response to the crisis in New Orleans.
"And maybe it was only a matter of time before officials at FEMA and its parent organization, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, began looking for others to blame," it said.
But the report said accusing other agencies of protecting turf is a "way of running from the stink of death" in New Orleans.
"And if (Gov. Kathleen) Blanco is gun-shy about giving more power over New Orleans' recovery to the likes of FEMA Director Michael Brown, whose previous employer was the International Arabian Horse Association, can anyone fault her?"
The editorial said the immediate priority is getting the reconstruction under way.
"New Orleans needs the unified, able, dynamic leadership that FEMA officials so far have been unable to offer ... Now, though, everyone has to come together to work for the good of the entire community."
