Mike Brown Testifies

Former FEMA Director Mike Brown was crucified today.

"My biggest mistake was not recognizing by Saturday that Louisiana was dysfunctional," two days before the storm hit, Brown told the panel.

Brown FEMA got a "bum rap" because many people incorrectly believe it serves as something of a federal rapid-response force.

"FEMA is a coordinating agency" he said.

"Brown said: FEMA doesn't evacuate communities. FEMA does not do law enforcement. FEMA does not do communications."

"Brown said: Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin were not coordinating their efforts and that he should have done more to persuade them to."

"Brown told the committee, FEMA's approach worked in Mississippi and Alabama."

Brown said that "for whatever reason, Mayor Nagin and Governor Blanco were reticent to order a mandatory evacuation."

FEMA cannot order evacuations.

--LynZee