Rescue Team

Kos has a measured reaction to the news that the Department of Homeland Security is not allowing Canadian search and rescue personnel into the United States to help in Louisiana.

The report (from a Canadian correspondent:

On tonight's news, CTV (Canadian TV) said that support was offered from Canada. Planes are ready to load with food and medical supplies and a system called "DART" which can provide fresh water and medical supplies is standing by. Department of Homeland Security as well as other U.S. agencies were contacted by the Canadian government requesting permission to provide help. Despite this contact, Canada has not been allowed to fly supplies and personnel to the areas hit by Katrina. So, everything here is grounded. Prime Minister Paul Martin is reportedly trying to speak to President Bush tonight or tomorrow to ask him why the U.S. federal government will not allow aid from Canada into Louisiana and Mississippi. That said, the Canadian Red Cross is reportedly allowed into the area.

Canadian agencies are saying that foreign aid is probably not being permitted into Louisiana and Mississippi because of "mass confusion" at the U.S. federal level in the wake of the storm.

Kos said:

Once the hard-hit region is back on its feet, there better be a full accounting of the preparation and response to this catastrophe.

Too measured. Too mild. The proper response, Markos, is this:

Every life that could have been saved by the DART team, that isn't, is on the head of the Department of Homeland Security and its "commander in chief". Every single one. "Mass confusion" is no excuse, they should have had the arrangements ready beforehand.

As I said earlier, one cannot blame a man for the act of nature. One can, however, demand responsibility of those who did not take the precautions necessary.

We can.

We must.