"I'm sure this is politically incorrect, but the president flying into the disaster area and declaring that the director of FEMA has done a good job should cause everyone to scream out 'the President has no clue,'" said U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Queens/L.I.) as he blasted the Bush Administration for its woefully late and inadequate response to the disaster caused by Hurricane Katrina.

"This is not meant to be a 'partisan attack' but if there is no criticism of this disastrous response to the disaster, the administration will totally

mishandle the greater challenges to come," Ackerman said.

"I never take joy in publicly criticizing my President but questions about the failure of his leadership in the planning and implementation of rescue efforts --- whether now or when the dust settles-have to be asked," Ackerman added. "If a country knows they're going to be attacked whether by Mother Nature or by terrorists, they must be prepared and it's obvious that the federal government was not prepared."

Ackerman noted that troops and supplies should have been on the ground within a reasonable amount of time.

The Congressman also noted that the federal government should nationalize the Greyhound Bus Company and use them to make short runs to nearby safe railroad terminals so hurricane survivors can be relocated to outer areas on trains. This move would transport more people to safe ground quicker and free up the too few school buses, which are forced to drive to cities far away and make return trips with nobody.

The same trains can also be used to bring in bottled water, food, emergency supplies and medicine. The Greyhound buses would be capable of transporting them to disaster sites once passengers empty out.

"What has the federal government been doing all these years to prepare for a disaster striking a major American city," Ackerman asked. "With all the bureaucratic federal agencies, super czars and homeland preparedness, there seems to be no national or regional master plan to evacuate people, bring in relief and adequately deal with a large scale emergency of this nature. Is there a plan in place for how to deal with the profiteers when the resettling and rebuilding begins? Is there a plan to freeze oil prices?"

Congressman Ackerman also urged better coordination between FEMA and the Red Cross to create lists of those missing, found or deceased in an effort to help constituents calling to find out about friends and loved ones.

"Right now, the government must devote its energy to the rescue and recovery of the affected region and we cannot thank or pay the brave rescue workers enough for the lives they've already saved," Ackerman added. "But we cannot ignore how the federal government has failed to protect the health and safety of its citizens."