It's not bad enough that FEMA totally bungled the Hurricane Katrina and Rita disasters, and then put many of the survivors into life-threatening trailers reeking of formaldehyde. They now seem determined to make a mess of the recent flood disasters.
A reasonable person would think that after their recent humiliating screw-ups, FEMA would want to redouble their efforts to help those in need and salvage what's left of their reputation. But I guess that's just wishful thinking on my part. They seem determined to continue screwing up.
Two non-profit organizations, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRGLA) and ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), have filed suit against FEMA for denying disaster victims easy access to legal help.
For the last 10 years, TRGLA has had access to FEMA disaster recovery centers. They don't approach anyone, but simply set up a booth and answer questions about legal rights for anyone who approaches them with an inquiry. But FEMA has decided to deny access to the centers to TRGLA recently.
In a way, I don't blame FEMA for denying victims easy access to legal help. If I was as incompetent as FEMA seems to be, I don't think I would want my victims knowing they have legal rights either.
But FEMA is not set up to harm disaster victims. They are supposed to be helping them. They seem to have forgotten that part of their job.
If FEMA would just concentrate on helping victims, they wouldn't have to be afraid of non-profit attorneys informing people of their legal rights. But instead of correcting their mistakes and doing a better job, FEMA seems to be far more interested in hiding their shortcomings.
This not just another Republican mess we can shake our heads at, and wait for a Democrat to get into office and fix. Disasters don't wait for anyone, and when they strike we need a competent and open organization that can respond quickly and appropriately.
America needs FEMA to care more about helping victims than covering up its mistakes. Is there any chance of that happening soon?
TRLA v. FEMA is as much about government accountability as it is about the First Amendment. FEMA selects the lawyers for disaster victims who cannot afford to hire their own lawyers. But the lawyers chosen by FEMA -- in partnership with the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division -- are prohibited from representing victims in suits against FEMA or even appeals from FEMA decisions regarding disaster benefit programs. In the last ten years, TRLA (BTW: NOT TRGLA) has provided legal services to over 2000 disaster victims who had complaints against FEMA or another government agency. That's the reason they don't want TRLA lawyers in "their" centers or taking calls on "their" telephone hotline.
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