What Others Are Saying

The Bush administration's indifference to ordinary Americans' well-being is encapsulated in the latest Federal Emergency Management Agency scandal: Last year, field workers e-mailed Washington that hurricane victims in government-provided trailers were experiencing health problems and suggested testing the trailers for toxic chemicals. Top FEMA officials said no. They feared the results would show a problem, and the government then would have a duty to do something about it.

In China, a leader caught out in such an appalling violation of public trust would be executed. In the United States, exposure should require heads to roll in a figurative sense. But don't count on it happening.

This administration of, by and for cronyism makes no apologies and feels no shame.

Last June, a man in Slidell, La., who had complained about formaldehyde fumes was found dead in his trailer. The Washington Post reported that in a conference call about the death, 28 officials from six agencies recommended an investigation, including independent testing of the trailer's air quality. FEMA's lawyers said no.

Decency was vetoed.

- The Roanoke (Va.) Times