episode of PBS Frontline: The Storm (Season: 2005 Episode: 14). https://www.pbs.org/video/frontline-the-storm/ The total run time is 54:34. Closed captioning (CC) is available. Writing Prompts 1. The Skeleton: Using the Frontline video as a starting point, identify a single critical breakdown in disaster preparation that worsened in the initial days after Hurricane Katrina made landfall back in 2005 (FEMA Disaster Event #1603). Provide a brief summary of how the specific breakdown or situation began to worsen and turn into a crisis, specifically in New Orleans (or in the 17 Wards that make up the city). You will need to properly cite a minimum of one scholarly source to support your external findings and to meet the bare minimum research requirements. However, a periodical/magazine/newspaper article would be sufficient for this prompt. Writing suggestion: Intro with at least 2-3 paragraphs of content and citations for background source(s). 2. The Veins: Based on the issue identified above, how has FEMA performed during the past 3 major disaster events: #3554 (TX Winter Storm), #4558, and #4630 (KY Tornadoes)? Specifically, what reforms have been implemented and have they achieved their goals? Feel free to discuss who suggested the reforms, who carried them out, the political motivations, or related news topics. Writing suggestion: 2 paragraphs of social, economic, policy and political analysis with citations for sources. 3. The Brain: What is the best path forward for successful governmental action regarding disaster planning/mitigation/management? You are not expected to become an expert overnight, but you should see what some of them are saying and cite periodicals for current events and/or scholarly sources. Writing suggestion: 2 paragraphs of well-structured current events analysis with citations and use of evidence to propose a course of action. 4. The Heart: The Late, I′ll add Great, Warren Rudman (RIP) was interviewed several times by Producer Martin Smith. He alluded to a few classic themes and problems in American history. He said: “…if 9-11 was supposed to teach us anything…the lack of ‘interoperability’ cost American lives…it is priority 1 and should have been fixed, it poses a danger to the very concept of federalism our government is built on…it poses a threat to democracy (free speech and exchange of ideas)…” What is his message?
