# Brownie did a heck of a job. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 3, 2005, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318 "2005-11-03T17:51:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318/41 "2005-11-04T04:15:14Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > **Metacom** , I see your point, but take into consideration this: He cleary took the time and energy to reply to the emails on daily minutiae. The vastly more important emails were ignored or only garnered a dismissive reply. Exactly. Taking the time and energy to reply to emails on daily minutiae: OK. Not handling the important emails: Not OK. I don’t think the “daily minutiae” emails should figure in to the picture at all. Bash the guy for being incompetent, not for needing help choosing a shirt. Comments like “he couldn’t even make a decision about his fucking SHIRT” just sound shrill and petty to me. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318/42 "2005-11-04T08:47:35Z")
> [@Metacom](#): > > Comments like “he couldn’t even make a decision about his fucking SHIRT” just sound shrill and petty to me. I don’t think it’s that he _needed_ advice about dressing that rankles – it’s that that appeared to be a more immediate concern to him, and one of the few things that actually engaged him. If this digest is an accurate sampling of his electronic correspondence, he was neglectful of everything except for his appearance. I sincerely hope this sumbitch is held criminally responsible. “Can I quit now? Can I come home?” is just run-of-the-mill petulant slacker-speak – but “I’m trapped now, please rescue me,” crosses the line into irony so appalling that someone ought to have his head nailed to the floor for it. ---
**Author:** ![T\_SQUARE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@T\_SQUARE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T_SQUARE)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318/43 "2005-11-04T09:53:18Z")
Is this a valid sample of the e-mails? I don’t want to defend the guy, but if you made a PDF file out of some of my e-mails over the years I would sound like a fuck-tard as well. Also, do we agree that Blanco and the NOLA mayor royally screwed up as well? Brown says it was the locals, the locals sed it was the feds. I tend to think the government failed the people on all three levels. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318/44 "2005-11-04T12:01:07Z")
[To the tune of _John Brown’s Body_:](http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/johnbrown/brownbody.html) Mike Brown’s emails are a motherfucking shame Mike Brown’s emails are a motherfucking shame **But his paycheck still comes in!** _Chorus:_ Jesus, Jesus, what a fuck-tard! Jesus, Jesus, what a fuck-tard! **He’s getting paid by us!** He’s gone away from NOLA and resigned his former post He’s gone away from NOLA and resigned his former post **But he’s still getting paid!** _Chorus_ He is a guy who ought to be cock-punched He is a guy who ought to be cock-punched **Instead of getting paid!** _Chorus_ Mike Brown fucked up his entire term Mike Brown fucked up his entire term **He still makes more than me!** _Chorus_ The imbecile ought to clean up the entire Astrodome The imbecile ought to clean up the entire Astrodome **Using only his tongue!** _Chorus_ (If anyone wants to attempt the more complex versions, I’d love to see it.) ---
**Author:** ![RobuSensei](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@RobuSensei](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobuSensei)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318/45 "2005-11-04T13:39:18Z")
Scary thought: If these are the _best_ examples they can come up with, I shudder to think of what the un-released e-mails might say. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318/46 "2005-11-04T14:15:49Z")
Late Friday afternoon is typically the time when administrations make press realeasesthat they’d just as soon not have to see in print (I think the term is “Friday Night Dump”). My guess is that you’ll see (or not see, because it is Friday night) the following press release from FEMA today: “Michael Brown, former Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, resigned his temporary appointment with the Agency this afternoon, effective immediately. 'I am proud of my accomplishments as FEMA director,” Brown said, ‘And have decided to step aside in order to spend more time with my family.’ Brown has been in a temporary capacity with the Agency, providing consultive services to new director, Michael Chertoff." ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318/47 "2005-11-04T14:40:18Z")
My mom lives in the same development as this guy (Cameron Station). Anyone want to know what kind of dog he has? -Joe, hits that the answer is ironic ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318/48 "2005-11-04T14:42:16Z")
(and then he hints it) -Joe ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318/49 "2005-11-04T14:53:16Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > Anyone want to know what kind of dog he has? A Baltese Devastation Watcher? Or a Mongolian Whiner? Oh. I know. An Arabian Crony. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318/50 "2005-11-04T15:01:04Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > A Baltese Devastation Watcher? Or a Mongolian Whiner? Oh. I know. An Arabian Crony. No…I said ironic! -Joe, could use a tiny keg of brandy right now ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318/51 "2005-11-04T15:03:59Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > -Joe, could use a tiny keg of brandy right now A five-star french mastiff? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318/52 "2005-11-04T15:11:41Z")
I agree that the short sleeve and fashion god business is irrelevant. But the “anything I should do or tweak” comment is instructive. It does show a boss who has no real idea how to proceed, and is waiting for a hint from his subordinates. That’s a really crappy appopintment Bush made, and I’m very glad to guy is out. Not so happy he’s continuing to draw his salary; based on these emails, it’s hard to imagine precisely what ‘expertise’ he has that’s so necessary. Brown’s appointment and tenure was a huge screw-up. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318/53 "2005-11-04T15:20:13Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > A five-star french mastiff? Fine, fine, it’s a St. Bernard. Maybe that’s why Dubya picked him - he figured a guy with one of them cartoon rescue dogs would be good at the job. Or maybe he just liked the idea of a dog carrying around booze. And no, I’m not joking about Brownie’s dog. Or my mother. -Joe, actually has a mother, believe it or not ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318/54 "2005-11-04T15:26:29Z")
Cock punched! Hahaha ha ha ha ha ha (sigh) ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318/55 "2005-11-04T16:31:20Z")
> [@Metacom](#): > > Exactly. > > Taking the time and energy to reply to emails on daily minutiae: OK. > > Not handling the important emails: Not OK. > > I don’t think the “daily minutiae” emails should figure in to the picture at all. Bash the guy for being incompetent, not for needing help choosing a shirt. Comments like “he couldn’t even make a decision about his fucking SHIRT” just sound shrill and petty to me. Brown’s constant attention to daily minutiae (rolled up sleeves, shirt color, dog sitters, how to “tweak”) to the detriment of the important things is **exactly** the point. He had no leadership ability, no sense of to priorities, nothing. The emails are the evidence of this. He was grossly incompetent and should have never gotten the job. He should have been fired outright. ---
**Author:** ![Yamirskoonir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/c0e974/32.png) [@Yamirskoonir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yamirskoonir)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318/56 "2005-11-04T16:46:58Z")
I AM A FASHION GOD. Mom’s ex was a Nordstrom’s aficionado as well. This news merely confirms my belief that a lot of flaming assholes shop there. …oh shit, supervisor’s coming. Better roll up my sleeves!!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318/57 "2005-11-04T16:58:32Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > That’s a really crappy appopintment Bush made, and I’m very glad to guy is out. Not so happy he’s continuing to draw his salary; based on these emails, it’s hard to imagine precisely what ‘expertise’ he has that’s so necessary. My guess is that he is currently an expert on not giving interviews to the press that would reflect badly on the administration. ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318/58 "2005-11-04T22:44:53Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > Brown’s constant attention to daily minutiae (rolled up sleeves, shirt color, dog sitters, how to “tweak”) to the detriment of the important things is **exactly** the point. Then it’s a stupid point that doesn’t make any sense, because paying attention to the daily minutiae weren’t detrimental to the important things. Unless the spend 12 hours a day doing nothing but writing short, one-liner emails on non-work related topics, they just don’t fucking matter. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318/59 "2005-11-04T22:59:23Z")
> [@Metacom](#): > > Then it’s a stupid point that doesn’t make any sense, because paying attention to the daily minutiae weren’t detrimental to the important things. Unless the spend 12 hours a day doing nothing but writing short, one-liner emails on non-work related topics, they just don’t fucking matter. Bull fucking shit. one of the points (to me, at least) was, for example, the email that sat in his fucking in box for 4 days before he forwarded it on - the one where folks w/respirators and medical equipment were wanting to know where to go, where they’d be needed. Brown had time to reply to fucking emails about his goddamn shirt, but it took him 4 motherfucking people harming days to **forward** on one mother fucking email offering actual fucking assistance where and when it was fucking desperately needed? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318/60 "2005-11-04T23:00:11Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > I too use a knife. But instead of rolling I fold the dough loosely, then cut with a VERY sharp meat cleaver. (Dull knives tear and smush.) Sometimes if I’m bored I sit in front of the TV and roll little odd sized noodles out between my hands. They’re variably lumpy and have pointy ends. They serve up purty that way. I’m not sure why, but this mis-post somehow seems to be entirely apt for this thread. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownie-did-a-heck-of-a-job/329318.md?page=4)