Professor Sam Crane has yet again received another accurate answer from the Yi. Perhaps his sincerity has already become apparent therefore the Yi likes to talk to him. This time he asked, “What does this second hurricane suggest for President Bush’s hold on the Mandate of Heaven?"
Since he had covered the main essence of the prognostication in his blog, ‘The Useless Tree’, one just added in a bit more there for discussion purposes that of the relationships in the three lines change in Hexagram 3 Chun / Difficulty at the Beginning, which changed it to Hexagram 7 Shih / The Army.
(Readers who are interested to read Sam's clear interpretation and a comment by Steve Marshall can access the blog through the Links section.)
On the three lines change, one suggested that the first line of Chun represents the new FEMA director, the second line to represent the Homeland Security Secretary and the fifth line, the US President. Since the first line changes, the helper is about to be or has already been appointed by the President. The problem depicted is therefore not with the helper but the chain of command and the attitude of the President. If the three parties are not persevering, it could lead to unemployment (which confirms Sam’s interpretation about the President’s precarious position).
This is a time of chaos created by the storm and the people are already grumbling because of recent failures of Government. There is a real need for someone strong to capture the people’s hearts and awaken their enthusiasm to work towards the recovery. But this person needs full authority and the confidence of the ruler to perform his duties well.
The second line is depicted as weak and could possibly hinder the recovery process; probably making the recovery period longer than necessary (in line with the depiction of ten years). Therefore the Yi advises that this friend’s help should not be accepted.
The commentary in the fifth line fits the President’s current position to a T:
“An individual is in a position in which he cannot so express his good intentions that they will actually take shape and be understood. Other people interpose and distort everything he does.” And Yi’s advice to the US President, “He should then be cautious and proceed step by step. He must not try to force the consummation of a great undertaking, because success is possible only when general confidence already prevails.” [W/B]
And who else can help him restore the confidence of the people? None other than the person in the first line of Hexagram 3 who later becomes the second line ruler of Hexagram 7 Shih / The Army and reports to the real ruler (the President) in line five.
In conclusion, the Yi is advising that FEMA, if it is leading the recovery and rebuilding process, be brought back up to ministerial level and no longer be part of Homeland Security. This not only shortens the chain of command, it gives full authority to the new head of FEMA to enable him to employ assistants and properly perform his duties in the field. Of course a righteous general having the full confidence of his humane ruler, always does the job well if left unhindered.
Obviously, similar to Sam’s previous divination on the redevelopment of New Orleans, the US President will decide what he wants to do with his men and his rule. It is his right. Therefore we remain blameless.
(Relevant entries in September: 'A note on Hexagram 2 Kun and its top line' and 'A method to interpret 'multiple answers' from the Yi')
2 comments:
WASHINGTON - If analysts agree on anything when it comes to the federal agency responsible for handling disasters, it's that it lacks the money to prepare for calamities that are not literally on the horizon. Much else about the budget of the Federal Emergency Management Agency defies consensus — or even comprehension.
Unlike most parts of the government, FEMA is different at different times — small in size and budget when nothing much is going on, swelling to huge and expensive when a disaster strikes.
That lets FEMA spend money when it also has plenty of political capital to cash in, because Americans want the government to do all it can when they see people hurting from hurricanes, floods or other disasters.
But FEMA's heavy dependence on emergencies to get the money coming in leaves it struggling to do a thorough job on preparation.
Disasters can be planned for, said Peter S. Davis, a professor at the University of Memphis, "but that requires consistency in funding."
Davis, a FEMA emergency housing manager in the late 1970s, contends FEMA's transfer into the Department of Homeland Security "led to a slow, inadequate and poorly coordinated response to a predictable event."
news.yahoo.com
In the news, a few minutes ago. (Extracts)
SAN ANTONIO - Military officials told President Bush on Sunday that the U.S. needs a national plan to coordinate search and rescue efforts following natural disasters or terrorist attacks.
Bush said he has been interested in whether the Defense Department should take the lead in disasters "of a certain size."
"It's clearly the case in a terrorist attack," Bush said. "It's going to be a very important consideration for Congress to think about."
Bush got an update about the federal hurricane response from military leaders at Randolph Air Force Base. He heard from Lt. Gen. Robert Clark, joint military task force commander for Hurricane Rita, and Maj. Gen. John White, a task force member, who noted confusion in search and rescue operations after Hurricane Katrina.
With Katrina, "we knew the coordination piece was a problem," White said. "With Rita, we had the benefit of time. We may not have that time in an earthquake scenario or similar incident."
"With a national plan, we'll have a quick jump-start and an opportunity to save more people," White said.
Bush thanked White for his recommendations.
news.yahoo.com 36 mins ago
It looks like Professor Sam Crane has a two days' head start with information provided by the Yi?
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