FEMA's Faux News Conference

Agency Employees Sat In For Reporters At Press Conference On Wildfires

(AP)  The White House scolded the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Friday for staging a phony news conference about assistance to victims of wildfires in southern California.

The agency - much maligned for its sluggish response to Hurricane Katrina over two years ago - arranged to have FEMA employees play the part of independent reporters Tuesday and ask questions of Vice Adm. Harvey E. Johnson, the agency's deputy director.

The questions were predictably soft and gratuitous.

One question, for example, posed by the deputy director for public affairs, queried “what it means to have an emergency declaration as opposed to a major disaster declaration,” a question only a bureaucrat could love, reports CBS News senior political correspondent Jeff Greenfield.

“I'm very happy with FEMA's response,” Johnson said in reply to another query.

White House press secretary Dana Perino said it was not appropriate that the questions were posed by agency staffers instead of reporters. FEMA was responsible for the “error in judgment,” she said, adding that the White House did not know about it beforehand and did not condone it.

“FEMA has issued an apology, saying that they had an error in judgment when they were attempting to get out a lot of information to reporters, who were asking for answers to a variety of questions in regard to the wildfires in California,” Perino said. “It's not something I would have condoned. And they - I'm sure - will not do it again.”

She said the agency was just trying to provide information to the public, through the press, because there were so many questions.

“I don't think that there was any mal-intent,” Perino said “It was just a bad way to handle it, and they know that.”

FEMA gave real reporters only 15 minutes notice about Tuesday's news conference. But because there was so little advance notice, the agency made available an 800 number so reporters could call in. And many did, although it was a listen-only arrangement.

On Tuesday, FEMA employees had played the part of reporters. Johnson issued a statement Friday, saying that FEMA's goal was “to get information out as soon as possible, and in trying to do so we made an error in judgment.”

“Our intent was to provide useful information and be responsive to the many questions we have received,” he said. “We can and must do better.”

Officials at the Homeland Security Department, which includes FEMA, expressed their concern.

“This is simply inexcusable and offensive to the secretary that such a mistake could be made,” Homeland Security spokeswoman Laura Keehner said Friday, referring to DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff. “Stunts such as this will not be tolerated or repeated.”

Keehner said senior leadership is considering whether a punishment is necessary.

[slim1h2o]

What a joke.....

[undermyboot]

Eliminate Congressional oversight. Eliminate Court oversight. Finally, eliminate press oversight. Looks like these Bushie authoritarians have their schemes for one-party government and an all-powerful Presidency well underway.

"Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter." - Jefferson, Thomas 3rd President

%u201CThat propaganda is good which leads to success, and that is bad which fails to achieve the desired result. It is not propaganda%u2019s task to be intelligent, its task is to lead to success.%u201D- Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Propaganda Minister

[signof4]

Geez....you''ve just described what happens at the democrat debates to a ''T''!

[jjp735i]

As we can see FEMA has improved!! Now they are faking news so they look good. More Bushit...........

[getit1776]

You''re doin'' a heck of a job, Bushie.

[susanhelit]

What a shock. I guess they''re learning lessons from the top - only speak to an audience of shills and fans.

[signof4]

...amazing, the implcation being that it does not also happen at the republican debate...such blindness
Posted by SHURCH4TRUTH at 01:48 PM : Oct 26, 2007

Only on your part. The republicans aren''t the ones afraid to go on debates with lib moderators (ala Chris Matthews, George Stephanopolis, etc.).....but the DEMS won''t debate on Fox.

Keep searching.....you''re not THERE yet!

[rushlimpdrug]

but the DEMS won''''t debate on Fox.
Keep searching.....you''''re not THERE yet!
Posted by Signof4

Your stupid.
You are where no one but the *** sheep feed.
Fox people are total losers.
Pathetic shoeless myopic azzkissin'' backscratchers.

[fredgrad2000]

Only on your part. The republicans aren''''t the ones afraid to go on debates with lib moderators (ala Chris Matthews, George Stephanopolis, etc.).....but the DEMS won''''t debate on Fox.

Good point!! And the only reason you loons hate Fox News is because you don''t like anyone to hear anything other than your blame America first, ignore any good news (no coverage of Iraq this month where great improvements have been registered again or of the medal of honor given to an Afghan-based NAVY SEAL), pro-democrat, hate-bush worldview. Fox News is no more right than CNN or NBC or CBS are left (and in fact less so if you''re actuall intelligent enough to assess it). And the point above is valid even if you looney lefties don''t like it. The GOP has debated in front of Chris Matthews (Jimmy Carter''s speechwriter) and a liberal editorialist (not even a journalist); the Dems won''t even debate with the news people at Fox (Chris Wallace, Brit Hume, etc), much less put themselves in front of right-wing "Chris Matthews" such as Sean Hannity and John Gibson.

[greeneyes222]

Ever watched an unedited press conference? Many so-called journalists can neither reason nor ask a pertinent question.

[jsilver2th]

I have a hard time believing this was some kind of accident...

Rehearsal maybe? Have a little press conference to keep the public calm...

Sure helps eliminate the questions you don''t want to answer...

[toolmangler-2009]

Not eggzactly PC was it?

[barbaraf4]

My only surprise is that we found out about it.

[condumism]

Posted by Signof4
but the DEMS wont debate on Fox.

Why should we! We are not Fascists is are the FOX Infotainment Channel. Nor are Dems braindead enough to listen to all the lies that eminate from the only station in the USA to duplicate the Nazi German propoganda machine in the late 1930s. The FOX Infotainment Channel is for losers, people that can not even be honest with themselves about the real world around their self-centered pathetic lives.

[j-whitman]

jh6379,,,, Me too.. LOL ------ Like the Bush administration lacky''s interviewing themselves & calling it news

[j-whitman]

fredgrad2000,,,,, Give us a break, Your GOP won''t even debate War Funding

[l8c6]

Why should any respectable statesmen debate on a tabloid?

[jetranger7]

Typical Repulsive Arrogrant Republican thing to do, is to Stage their own event, create and Manufacture Lies, kinda like the Faux News Channel does !! Why I see another FEMA Director needing to be Fired, Immediately, I do not want my Tax Dollars going to support Idiots like this, Mr. Dumb FEMA Director, Your FIRED !!!! Outta there-NOW !!!!!!!

[slim1h2o]

Why should any respectable statesmen debate on a tabloid?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by l8c6 at 03:29 PM : Oct 26, 2007

And who do you consider a "statesman" ? oh sarcasm, I get it!

[marcodele]

Faux News: Fair and Balanced! (only if you''re mentally imbalanced)

[yankeerebel7]

You just gotta lol @ liberals who are constantly having meltdowns over Fox News. No conservative viewpoints allowed for them. In the same way they fear open market capitalism....they fear, and often loathe, the marketplace of ideas.

[marcodele]

Ya'' gotta love the right wing neocon nutjobs who can take a joke about Fox News and instantly deduce that the person must therefore have a fear of open market capitalism. See how their little brains work! It''s amazing.

[nolalou]

In New Orleans, we know what FEMA means! Federal Excuse Making Agency! (but I''ve also seen Fix Everything, My A**)

[bareemperor]

...and Dubya put all the fires out with his bare hands!

Just when I think this administration has hit bottom, they surprise me again!

Having Bu$h as a leader is like having the flu while fighting morning sickness, while undergoing chemotherapy....

[nolalou]

BareEmperor said "Having Bu$h as a leader is like having the flu while fighting morning sickness, while undergoing chemotherapy.... "

True, then FEMA will hold a press conference to say they have applied a new band-aid!

[logicanada]

When the news channel constantly becomes the news item you just gotta know there are problems. Sounds like collusion and more Faux propaganda.

[finewoven]

FEMA''s goal was "to get information out as soon as possible, and in trying to do so we made an error in judgment."

Noooooo, an error in judgement. Not FEMA. But you have to give them credit for admitting it, huh?

[trillion1]

Since bush got the WH there hasn''t been one bit of information coming through there that hasn''t been doctored to fit his rosey outlook. The fact that FEMA pulled this incredibly stupid even by right wing standard. I see a promotion in chertoffs future.

[bareemperor]

Yer doin a FINE job down there, Brownie, or Cherkoff, or whoever''s in charge of FEMA today...

[inventagod]

Where is that well known pack of Bu$h apologists who stream into these boards to tell us that this is all the Libs/Dems fault?
Sure is quiet here...

[mcvet]

Just when you think this Administration has hit rock bottom, they manage to go on down. Yesterday we have a great view of the VeePee just sleeping like a little baby at a Cabnet Meeting on this horrible even and now we have a FAKE News Conference! Wow! How insulting is that? Sieg Heil Bush!!

[kansas1946]

Actually, this is so silly, juvenile, and goofy, that there is hardly anything to say about it. Just more fodder for Saturday Night Live. Poor FEMA. "Heck of a job, whoever."

[l8c6]

You just gotta lol @ liberals who are constantly having meltdowns over Fox News. No conservative viewpoints allowed for them. In the same way they fear open market capitalism....they fear, and often loathe, the marketplace of ideas.

Posted by yankeerebel7

Joker, right wing fascists are about totalitarianism, not a market of ideas. Compromise and negotiation are considered weak amongst the sociopathic right wing absolutes.

[slipster01]

"Wow! How insulting is that? Sieg Heil Bush!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Posted by MCVet at 05:33 PM : Oct 26, 2007"

MCVet Shut the fvck up with the Nazi ***. You don''t like it, leave the country. You just troll that phrase all over the boards hoping to get noticed, or to relive your glory days in WWII. Miss your old buddies, huh? Seig this you worn-out excuse for ***.

[slipster01]

"Wow! How insulting is that? Sieg Heil Bush!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Posted by MCVet at 05:33 PM : Oct 26, 2007"

MCVet Shut the fvck up with the Nazi ***. You don''t like it, leave the country. You just troll that phrase all over the boards hoping to get noticed, or to relive your glory days in WWII. Miss your old buddies, huh? Seig this you worn-out excuse for ***.

[slipster01]

"Wow! How insulting is that? Sieg Heil Bush!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Posted by MCVet at 05:33 PM : Oct 26, 2007"

MCVet Shut the fvck up with the Nazi ***. You don''t like it, leave the country. You just troll that phrase all over the boards hoping to get noticed, or to relive your glory days in WWII. Miss your old buddies, huh? Seig this you worn-out excuse for ***.

[slipster01]

"Wow! How insulting is that? Sieg Heil Bush!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Posted by MCVet at 05:33 PM : Oct 26, 2007"

MCVet Shut the fvck up with the Nazi ***. You don''t like it, leave the country. You just troll that phrase all over the boards hoping to get noticed, or to relive your glory days in WWII. Miss your old buddies, huh? Seig this you worn-out excuse for ***.

[wonder25]

I knew it was phoney--none of the reporters were stupid enough to blame global warming. The ''real'' reporters ALL did--like friggin'' sheep. So did Harry Reid. So did Pelosi. So did Al Gore (whose song on my CONSERVATIVE music CD is called ''Hot Air.'')

Real reporters? No-AP., UP, Reuters are ''phoney reporters.'' Check the drift at www.

conservativemusiconline.com

[wonder25]

Al Gore: "Actually, I invented the Santa Ana Winds."

Press Corps: (gushing...applause...signed cocktail napkins)

Who needs what some call ''real'' reporters?

www.conservativemusiconline.com

[wonder25]

(From the song ''Hot Air'' on former Police Captain Lance Morrison''s album ''Blaming America First:''

" Get your sun screen, grab your shades.
Cats on tin roofs must evade
The heat that in my estimation''s new
And Al Gore''s blamin'' me and you.
Broken clock right twice a day.
Hot or cold we''re gonna pay
cause if its hot then he''s a sage,
and if its cold its ''climate change.''....

--hear ot @ www.

conservativemusiconline.com

[rickstas]

wonder25:

Did you read the article or are you just stupid?

[wonder25]

Gee, I really care about you Rick something...

[wonder25]

Perhaps you might look at the point I AM making...the ''real reporters'' from AP, UP, Rueters ALL wrote the same articles yesterday...''Is global warming behind the fires?'' ''Was there enough gearto fight the fires ot was it all in Iraq?''

How could every ''real'' reporter write the same stories? I wonder. I''ll take fake reporters, fake Nobel Lauriets, thus my point about Gore and the press. Like it or not, and I''ll refrain from calling you stupid. My song at conservativemusiconline.com makes the point that a gushing press is no press at all. Bash away.

www.conservativemusiconline.com

[hazelknows]

they are as phoney as there news conference.... its a perfect fit for this administration

[wonder25]

(From the song ''''Hot Air'''' on former Police Captain Lance Morrison''''s album ''''Blaming America First:''''

" Get your sun screen, grab your shades.
Cats on tin roofs must evade
The heat that in my estimation''''s new
And Al Gore''''s blamin'''' me and you.
Broken clock right twice a day.
Hot or cold we''''re gonna pay
cause if its hot then he''''s a sage,
and if its cold its ''''climate change.''''....

--hear ot @ www.

conservativemusiconline.com

[bareemperor]

Bu$h undoubtedly ordered the FEMA ''press conference'' to co-inside with his photo-op.

I think both the White House AND FEMA are sooooo busted! If there even are real reporters in America, they should be all over this one!
This fiasco speaks volumes about the current administration...

[wonder25]

Thanks for mentioning President Bush. His courage is omnipresent on my CONSERVATIVE music CD. Hope you like it, including you people pretending to be liberals...keep it up, you inspire conservative voting!! Priceless stuff, really. Hear the truth about Hlllary (have you ever seen she and Ward Churchill in the same room?), Edwards (who is ''uncomfortable'' around gay men--what a whip)and others. hear it all at www.

conservativemusiconline.com

[inventagod]

WONDER25 gives spammers a bad name... Promoting his NeoCon music on the CBS board is as sad as it gets....

[wonder25]

Ooooh...I caught the mandatory ''neocon'' reference just on the way out. Don''t forget ''war profiteer,''''shrub,'' ''Nazi,'' and all the other original thinking that IS the liberal Scrabble vocabulary. Now I must go. i don''t think you''re an airhead because you''re a Liberal dude....i think you''re an airhead from what you wrote though....

[scratch057]

That''s our Fema...standing around with its Johnson hanging out.