Having it both ways

The media has made a lot of noise about hurricane Katrina. Many others have pointed out the distortions, half-truths and outright lies the media indulged in. But they all made a lot of noise about the slow response of FEMA.

So now FEMA is making some efforts to prevent more tragedies by redefining the flood-vulnerabilty maps for some areas in Louisiana. This will make it more difficult to get flood insurance and mortgage money to build in flood-prone areas. This is a preventive step in the right direction, right?

Not according to this article. While on the surface, it appears to be just straight reporting, the tone of it is bemoaning the decision to force these poor folks away from their way of life. While I have sympathy for folks who are going to have to leave homes their families have owned for generations, I can’t see the rest of us subsidizing their way of life. (Federal flood insurance is a massive boondoggle we all pay for).

So the media can have it both ways - again. They can bitch and moan about FEMA taking steps to avert problems while still harping on FEMA’s poor response to problems. Nice!