Those in Power Taking Advantage of a Tragedy? Duh, Of course!

Disturbing and outrageous news left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina just doesn't seem to run out. I thought the stunned surprise we all had at the incompetence and indifference of those in charge of the Katrina relief and rescue efforts was finally starting to subside but here's some great news on how politicians are already taking advantage of the situation:

Congress appropriated $62.3 billion in emergency financing after Hurricane Katrina struck. So far, a total of $15.8 billion has been allocated from a FEMA-managed disaster relief fund, of which $11.6 billion has been committed through contracts, direct aid to individuals or work performed by government agencies.

An examination of the contracts granted to date and interviews with state and federal officials raised concerns about some of the awards.

Some industry and government officials questioned the costs of the debris-removal contracts, saying the Army Corps of Engineers had allowed a rate that was too high. And Congressional investigators are looking into the $568 million awarded to AshBritt, a Pompano Beach, Fla., company that was a client of the former lobbying firm of Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi.

The investigators are asking how much money AshBritt will collect and, in turn, what it will pay subcontractors performing the work, said a House investigator who did not want her name used because she was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

While it seemed like a creative solution at the time, the leasing of cruise ship space for Katrina evacuees has turned out to be a ridiculous waste of money and resources. I don't buy the argument that these questionable contracts are merely a result of motivated people trying to get things done for one simple reason: These friends of the rich will likely end up with handsome profits while the average people from the storm devastated areas are being legislated into poverty and unfair wages.

If you can stand to be further sickened by the whole Katrina rescue fiasco, check out this really comprehensive summary of the Katrina aftermath in New Orleans. Yeah, it's a couple weeks old but I finally got around to linking to it ok?