by Kevin Caruso
September 3, 2005
President George W. Bush ordered the deployment of 7,000 additional troops to help the survivors of Hurricane Katrina.
Bush is now acknowledging that federal efforts have been inadequate to date.
"Many of our citizens are simply not getting the help they need, especially in New Orleans, and that is unacceptable," said Bush in a live address.
Bush has been harshly criticized for responding too slowly and inadequately. And the criticism is on target -- Many people have died while awaiting water, food, or medicine.
And innumerable people are still waiting to be evacuated.
The 7,000 troops will be deployed over the next three days.
Bush said that the troops will be under the military command. (U.S. law does not allow military troops to be used in a domestic law-enforcement role.)
The 21,000 National Guard troops currently in Louisiana and Mississippi are under the command of state governors. (National Guard troops can be used for domestic law enforcement.)