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Hearing this, Brady sought the assistance of Dan Hubbell, who edits an electronic newsletter for the towboat industry. Hubbell attempted to explain how the relief operation could use the assistance of industry watercraft. He talked to two Coast Guard officials, two New Orleans city council members a woman on the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus and even a reporter. He also posted the information on his Wheelhouse Report site. Every word fell on deaf ears.

Brady also sent messages to Alaska's lone congressman Donald E. Young. Young is currently Chairman of the House Transportation committee and soon to be Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. "Young and I go way back, as young bucks we both worked freight and passenger vessels on the Yukon River and he held the same license as I. He has not responded as of yet, but that is understandable."

Not all tugboats were idle. American Electric Power did use its boats in an effort to help evacuate New Orleans. Tugboats from its river operations unit ferried evacuees from the flooded city to dry locations on the opposite side of the Mississippi River. They even put out a press release on their efforts, which has received very little attention.

So there is the sin of omission. Granted it was not only the failure of the media to follow up on a significant story, but also the failure of everyone to act upon the offer for assistance or to utilize the hundreds of boats only a cry for help away.

One final note to this story, almost after the fact.... On September 10, as I put the finishing touches to my copy, Fox News Channel carried an Alert that FEMA leadership was planning to utilize the resources on the Mississippi River.

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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA.

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