Michael Brown, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, resigned today “in the best interest of the agency and best interest of the president,” three days after being relieved of duty in responding to Hurricane Katrina.

His decision was not a surprise. Brown was abruptly recalled to Washington on Friday, a clear vote of no confidence from his superiors at the White House and the Homeland Security Department. Brown had been roundly criticized for FEMA’s sluggish response to the hurricane, which has caused political problems for Bush and fellow Republicans. He also was accused of padding his resume, which Brown denied Friday.

The president ducked questions about Brown’s resignation. “Maybe you know something I don’t know. I’ve been working,” the president said to reporters on an inspection tour of damage in Gulfport, Miss. Bush said he planned to talk with Brown’s boss, Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff, from Air Force One on the flight back to Washington.

“There will be plenty of time to figure out what went right and what went wrong,” Bush said. — Associated Press

Well, it’s about time. Next Chertoff, then Bush.

Security expert Bruce Schneier warns that we aren’t spending homeland security money properly.

Meanwhile, back in New Orleans, authorities have very quietly backed off of their forced disarmament and evacuation orders. The order was decried as un-American and illegal.

The city is beginning to show signs of life as people return to the French Quarter and other less hard-hit areas to begin rebuilding their homes, businesses and lives.

Passenger air service resumed to New Orleans today, and so did garbage pickup service.

“You see the cleaning of the streets. You see the people coming out,” said the volunteer with the bullhorn, Norman Flowers. “The people aren’t as afraid anymore.”

Mr. Flowers, deployed by the Southern Baptist Convention, stood in the bed of a pickup truck on Canal Street, leading police, firefighters and relief workers in song, punctuated by the exuberant honk of a firetruck nearby.

“This is a sign of progress,” said New Orleans resident Linda Taylor, gesturing at the impromptu gathering. “Last Sunday, I couldn’t find any church services. This Sunday, people have gathered together to worship.”

Numerous residents were able to visit their homes for the first time, however briefly, as floodwaters receded and work crews cleared trees, debris and downed telephone poles from major streets. — Washington Times

In the blame game, New Orleans mayor C. Ray Nagin says there’s plenty of blame for everyone. Including, I suppose, a few people who took their $2,000 debit cards and went to Louis Vuitton.