It seems a lot of we members of the "chattering class" are weighing in on FEMA in light of Katrina. FEMA is racist. FEMA in incompetent. FEMA shouldn't exist. FEMA is a pork-barrel. FEMA could do better if we weren't in Iraq.

A lot of those opinions seem about right, as far as they go. I'd like to think that the racism charge -- that FEMA has delayed because so many stranded in New Orleans are black -- isn't true. It's unknowable, but it seems highly unlikely that the bureaucrats at FEMA simply don't care about these unfortunate souls because of their skin color to this observer.

Of all government functions, the notion that an agency could provide support and leadership during a profound crisis like Katrina strikes me as reasonably benign. Sure, there may well be some crowding out of organizations like the Red Cross, but it does seem that the Feds are the only institution that, in theory, could RAPIDLY mobilize the resources necessary to, at least, triage the situation.

From a humanitarian perspective, it strikes me as reasonable to support FEMA at this critical juncture. Fingerpointing about specific mistakes and how contracts are let in carrying out this operation sucks the energy out of the effort, IMO. For now, let's agree that saving lives is the first order of business.

I suspect 99% of Americans would gladly earmark a portion of their tax dollars specifically to FEMA. In concept, its charter likely rings true for just about everyone, including me.

-Robert Capozzi