Cronyocracy unveiled

Internal email within DHS at Katrina-landfall shows FEMA bush-cronies posturing and pouting:

President Bush established the White House Task Force on Hurricane Katrina Response a day later and Chertoff designated Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response -- FEMA chief -- Mike Brown the principle federal officer (PFO), putting him in charge of the relief effort.

Brown perceived it as a step down.

"Demote the Under Sec. to PFO?" FEMA press secretary Sharon Worthy wrote Brown on Sept. 30 (sic - I presume Aug. 30 is meant). "What about the precedent being set?"

"What does this say about executive management and leadership in the agency?"

Brown's one-word response: "Exactly."