Now It All Makes Sense

There's been much written this week about the qualifications -- or lack thereof -- of the director of FEMA, Michael "Brownie" Brown, who is essentially the nation's top crisis manager.

And by now most of you know that prior to getting the nod as FEMA general counsel from his college pal Joe Allbaugh in 2001, he spent 11 years as Commissioner of Judges and Stewards for the Arabian Horse Association (a job from which he was fired, by the way), while also working as an estates and family lawyer. (Some divorce proceedings can reach Category 3 intensity, as we know.)

He later rose (how'd that happen?) to deputy director of FEMA, and took over the top spot in '03.

But before dismissing his gig at the horse association as not relevant to his current duties at FEMA, review this description of the purpose of the AHA from its Web site:

Purpose: AHA is a 46,000 member equine association that registers and maintains a database of more then one million Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses. It administers more than $4 million in annual prize money, produces national events, maintains official event records, recognizes more than 400 Arabian horse shows and distance rides and provides activities and programs that promote breeding and ownership. In addition, our Commissioner of Judges and Stewards is responsible for managing large-scale national catastrophes including terrorist attacks and natural disasters. [emphasis mine]

Well, there it is, then!

(Okay, not just "emphasis mine," but also "job description mine." Sorry.)