Isn't it just one more crime for the endless collection of crimes
perpetrated by this criminal administration? All is connected.
I am not surprised at all!!
Simone
On Oct 27, 2007, at 9:16 AM, Gorelick, Steve wrote:
> The New York Times
>
> October 27, 2007
> Fake News Briefing by FEMA Draws Official Rebukes
> By ERIC LIPTON
>
> WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 - The Federal Emergency Management Agency staged a
> fake news conference this week, with agency staff officials,
> pretending
> to be reporters, peppering one of their own bosses with decidedly
> friendly questions about the response to the California fires, the
> Department of Homeland Security acknowledged Friday.
>
> The action, first reported on Friday in The Washington Post, drew a
> rebuke from the White House and Homeland Security Secretary Michael
> Chertoff, and an apology from the agency official who was at the
> lectern, Harvey E. Johnson, the deputy director.
>
> "We have made it clear that such a stunt will never be tolerated or
> repeated," a spokeswoman for the department, Laura C. Keehner, said on
> behalf of Mr. Chertoff.
>
> The questions from the staff were posed after FEMA gave reporters only
> 15 minutes notice for a news conference on Tuesday, meaning that other
> than television camera crews, no reporters showed up before
> questioning
> began. A toll-free telephone line was provided so reporters could
> listen
> in, but it was not set up to allow questions.
>
> As a result, staff members asked Mr. Johnson a series of friendly
> questions like, "Are you happy with FEMA's response so far?" and,
> "What
> lessons learned from Katrina have been applied?"
>
> Mr. Johnson gave no indication that the questions came from his own
> staff.
>
> "I'm very happy with FEMA's response so far," Mr. Johnson said in
> response to one question, according to a transcript.
>
> Dana Perino, the White House spokeswoman, said the event was
> mishandled.
> "It's not something I would have condoned," she said. "And they - I'm
> sure - will not do it again."
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