Criticism of government response to Hurricane Katrina
The term was coined Katrinagate based on Watergate, in order to focus the government of U.S. President George W. Bush in connection with the disaster management after Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, alleged omissions in a catchy word. The semantic link between two terms is the role of the press to be as a means of uncovering scandals that otherwise would run the risk covered up.
Hurricane Katrina has had a devastating impact, which were attributed in part to its strength in part to the special geographical conditions of the region and part of an allegedly hesitant reaction of those responsible. President Bush interrupted his vacation until the third day, which was considered by many observers as out of place. As for days after the storm, tens of thousands in the city had to wait for help, accusing the mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin, in an interview with the station WWL- TV in drastic words, the U.S. government to have failed.
Eight days after abatement of the hurricane were more than 125,000 National Guard troops deployed to help people in the disaster area and to prevent looting. The disadvantage, however, was that there were 36% of the National Guard of Louisiana and Mississippi in Iraq at this time. Abzukommandieren additional troops to the region, although seemed to be no problem, but Critics counter that it is precisely the well-equipped combat troops - which can operate autonomously by armament, vehicles, communications equipment and own field kitchens - were missing. There is also criticism that the National Guard would be deployed in Iraq for combat operations. However, the main task of the National Guard consisted rather to provide assistance during natural disasters.
From African-American side of the government was accused of racism, since most of the still after days waiting to help population was black. The historian and sociologist Mike Davis denounced in an interview SZ 5 September 2005 the removal of the black population than deportation to.
About the news magazine Der Spiegel was hawked on 8 September 2005, that the breaking of the protective levees in New Orleans was part of a civil protection exercise. This put to the conclusion that FEMA was incompetent at the now occurring disaster.
Consequences and reception
After the press initially lenient dealt with the President, criticism became increasingly loud as the full extent of the disaster became apparent. In particular, a columnist for the New York Times, Maureen Dowd, impressed with your article United States of Shame the tone of criticism. At various levels - including the president himself - a political investigation was demanded. Observers predicted the fact that the U.S. press could use Katrinagate to change course benevolent non-critical coverage of the government since September 11, 2001. The President, meanwhile, has promised to the victims of the disaster, also significantly increase the relief of the originally approved $ 10.5 billion, which is due to the immense damage, but sure to take advantage of the critics the wind out of the sails. However, going from the announced support amounting to $ 51.8 billion ( 41.6 billion euro ) 1.4 billion U.S. dollars to the armed forces and 400 million on a pioneer corps. The remainder is the FEMA.
At a press conference on 13 September 2005, President Bush finally took responsibility for " potential breakdown " when Krisenmanagemant at the federal level. Previously, the head of FEMA, Michael Brown, has been replaced. It remains to be seen whether omitted this step allegedly stirred up by the press criticism and allegedly threatened by the political authorities into action.