Smokin' Emails

The cybersleuths at The Smoking Gun have published emails sent by disgraced FEMA Director Michael Brown around the time that Hurricane Katrina was breaching levees and flooding New Orleans, leaving people trapped on rooftops and living on K-rats in the Superdome. What was Brown doing? Apparently, he was worrying about his wardrobe, trying to find someone to take care of the pooch, and bemoaning the bad food he has to suffer on the road. Oh, and it seems he also felt trapped in his job.

You may remember that on September 2nd, the man who appointed Brown do his job commended him on television. Speaking before cameras in the Mobile Regional Airport, President Bush said, (to quote the White House transcript): "Again, I want to thank you all for -- and, Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job. The FEMA Director is working 24 -- (applause) -- they're working 24 hours a day." Two days later, Brown got an email from his press secretary reading: "Please roll up the sleeves of your shirt...all shirts. Even the President rolled his sleeves to just below the elbow. In this crises (sic) and on TV you just need to look more hard-working...ROLL UP THE SLEEVES!"