Here is a letter written by Governor Blanco, August 27, two days before the hurricane hit.

Here is the link to the Office of the Governor. http://www.gov.state.la.us/Press_Release_detail.asp?id=976

And here is a segment of the letter:
Pursuant to 44 CFR 206.35, I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments, and that supplementary Federal assistance is necessary to save lives, protect property, public health, and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a disaster. I am specifically requesting emergency protective measures, direct Federal Assistance, Individual and Household Program (IHP) assistance,Special Needs Program assistance, and debris removal.

Here is a timeline of events complete with links to the proper documentation (DOD, White House, Office of the Governor.)

This is in ref to Bob's comment on 2 Sep about not donating to the Red Cross. I have worked with the Red Cross with Hurricane Ivan and Katrina and have to say that a lot of these people would have nothing if it was not for the Red Cross. Granted it may not be much but it is a start for immediate needs. I tell people if you can not donate monetary please give your time if you can. So Bob, just remember that it could be you and it would be the Red Cross giving you a place to stay or funds to help pay for a place to stay. Food to eat and clothing. It has to come from somewhere. Maybe you have another organization that one can donate to. If so let us know. Thanks

I'm sure those months-old "news stories & packages" on the sidebar tell nothing of her capabilities. I notice plenty of Bush-bashing there and a pattern of sending a letter to "A" through "B" and then claiming proudly to have sent a letter to "A". How stupid would Bush look if he had authorized billions of dollars to "improve wetlands on their coast" just in time for hurricane season? How does Blanco explain all the hoopla over millions for pelicans and nuttin' done for the levees?

Mountain Girl,

Sorry. Not impressed. I've read the rest of the letter.

The language you quote is nothing more nor less than boilerplate from the Stafford Act, cut and pasted as a justification for the declaration. It's how you ask for the Act to cut in and have the feds send money. It would have been the same for an upstream levee break endangering a few farmers, or for a tornado in Missouri, for that matter. And--

From the Stafford Act, paragraph 5170b:

3. Work and services to save lives and protect property

Performing on public or private lands or waters any work or services essential to saving lives and protecting and preserving property or public health and safety, including--

A. debris removal;
B. search and rescue, emergency medical care, emergency mass care, emergency shelter, and provision of food, water, medicine, and other essential needs, including movement of supplies or persons;
C. clearance of roads and construction of temporary bridges necessary to the performance of emergency tasks and essential community services;
D. provision of temporary facilities for schools and other essential community services;
E. demolition of unsafe structures which endanger the public;
F. warning of further risks and hazards;
G. dissemination of public information and assistance regarding health and safety measures;
H. provision of technical advice to State and local governments on disaster management and control; and
I. reduction of immediate threats to life, property, and public health and safety.

What did she ask for? A. Debris removal. and nothing else!

Everything else she asks for in the letter is monetary -- grants and/or loan guarantees, mostly the former. The letter is typical Louisiana politics, saying basically "send money and garbage collectors, we're fine otherwise." If not, why didn't she ask for something from items B through I? Not even "dissemination of public information"?