CNN Headline News has just shown a video clip of Aaron Broussard, the President of Jefferson Parish, New Orleans, crying inconsolably as he sat facing the camera with a government seal behind him. He was being interviewed on NBC's Meet the Press.
[EDIT: Broussard blamed federal officials, saying that "bureaucracy has committed murder". He demanded a Congressional inquiry and said that federal officials responsible should be fired immediately.^1]
Then, his voice hoarse from grief, Broussard grew upset as he further condemned the response of government officials to the destruction caused by Katrina. All week, he said, the elderly mother of a staff member sought rescue, and all that she received were promises. She drowned on Friday night, said Broussard. Instead of rescue, what he saw were officials holding press conferences, he said. "I'm sick of these press conferences! For God's sake! Shut up and send us somebody!" he said. Near the end of the clip, he hung his head in a futile attempt to compose himself as tears filled his eyes.
The official said that both Katrina and the failure of authorities to respond in a timely manner were responsible for the devastation in Jefferson Parish.
Source: CNN Headline News.
[EDIT 1 at 7:07 p.m. (Pacific) -- identification of Pres. Broussard and minor changes.]
[EDIT 2 -- see Note 1.]
[EDIT 3 at 8:52 p.m. (Pacific) -- correction of quotes.]
[EDIT 4 at 3:16 a.m. (Pacific) September 5, 2005 -- minor changes.]
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Note 1: [EDIT 2 at 7: 33 p.m. (Pacific) -- insertion of bracketed language and augmentation of quote. Source: MSNBC.]
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