Short of the Century

I really hope I'm completely wrong about this, but this story that Michael Brown, former FEMA head during the Katrina debacle is starting a disaster-planning firm, has me shaking my head ruefully.

Perhaps Brownie feels deep down that he wants to make amends, to perform a kind of penance, for the poor handling of the Katrina aftermath. I say this because of his quotes at the end of the story about how his family still loves him. My goodness!

Look, I'm quite sure that Brownie learned some things about disaster preparedness. But why would anyone actually hire him to consult on the matter? He's for the foreseeable future the poster child for what NOT to do during and after a disaster. It'd be like hiring Bernie Ebbers for corporate ethics consulting or Martha Stewart for sound and ethical stock trading practices. Maybe Newt Gingrich on how to approach your spouse about a divorce or Bill Clinton on how to conduct extra-marital affairs.

Brownie may want to be thinking about a Plan B, for, to me, Plan A has "disaster" written all over it. But, like I say, I hope I'm wrong.

-Robert Capozzi