Ahhhh responsibility. Such a tricky word. Leadership is another. There are definitely some sensationalizing in the media going on. Its not like we ask for it. NO WAIT, WE DO ASK FOR IT.
As far as responsibility is concerned, I believe that the only individuals not responsible are the children. Everyone else has some responsibility in their fates. Having said that,
I believe that there are a significant number of cases where the physical toll taken on themselves (and the CNN case simply defies logic. Hell her brother a mile down the road left) doesnt warrant much sympathy except for the children involved. However, most of the $$ to be spent will be in the rebuilding phase and EVERYONE deserves to get that since even if they left, they would have lost everything they left behind. There will be no rebuilding untill they clean up. So as far as the rescue efforts are concerned, there is actually little cost associated with that (maybe a 100 million). Those unable to get out (nursing homes, children, even animals) should have been the responsibility of the USG period. And they failed. The unfortunate result so far is that our leaders (all the way down to parents) have failed to show leadership and take responsibility for this.
It is true that this was a devestating hurricane and the toll was to be too high regardless, but there are definately some legal responsibilities that were not carried out and for that, they should pay. But the people that deserve that will probably not see a dime.
The biggest issue I have is the total lack of a coherent plan prior to "attack". If there was, then there would have been better security at the "shelter" sites, better coordination of relief supplies, and less loss of life directly related to the "6 days" after. The arrogance from our officials is simply overwhelming at this point. Unless something changes, you can damn sure expect this type of response the next time a catastrophic event occurs and Homeland Security kicks in.