After Katrina, a flood of comments

Re “Bush Tours Damage; 45 Bodies Found at Hospital,” Sept. 13

Isn’t the Senate supposed to vet presidential nominees for federal office? Where were the Senate and its staff when Michael D. Brown was nominated to direct FEMA? Was the Senate in such a hurry to do Bush’s bidding that it did not thoroughly look into this man’s record? Which other of President Bush’s appointments were mishandled?

IRVING LEEMON

Northridge

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Michael Brown’s resignation in the aftermath of Katrina should be counted as “one down and two to go.” Next should be his boss and supervisor during this ordeal and the presumed protector of our homeland “security,” Secretary Michael Chertoff.

As for the third one, any guesses out there?

DEMETRIUS J. MARGAZIOTIS

Pacific Palisades

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A category 4 hurricane hit New Orleans. It was a force of nature, and no one could have stopped it. Thousands of people may have died, and this is not the time to point fingers or make political statements. Shame on all of the politicians who, instead of helping victims, make outrageous statements. This is the greatest country in the world because Americans always help out when disasters like this happen. Thank you to those who are helping out the people of New Orleans and the nearby areas.

ROY SCHAIRER

Hollywood

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It was extremely heartening to read that T. Boone Pickens and his wife chartered a plane to ship displaced pets to California (Sept. 12). People who do not have dogs or other pets do not realize the importance they play in a person’s or family’s life and, indeed, become just like one’s child. It is my hope that bureaucracy will not stand in the way of the transportation of more pets to California and other states. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society should be applauded as well for their efforts.

SUSAN FULLER

Los Angeles

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We have thousands of displaced Americans who need jobs and a fresh start, yet our borders are still open and our corporations are still outsourcing to faraway places. It is time to take care of our own. Maybe the government should make a better attempt to close the borders and offer incentives to the corporations to hire Americans.

CANDY LUDDY

Laguna Hills