Common sense vs government

Another thing about government: something happens to people, perfectly normal people, when they work for the government. It seems like common sense is gradually driven out of them. They do things that, to the layman, seem almost inexplicable.

Here's an example. 1,000 firemen who headed towards New Orleans after the Mayor asked for help have been waylaid by FEMA. From the Salt Lake Tribune

The firefighters, several of whom are from Utah, were told to bring backpacks, sleeping bags, first-aid kits and Meals Ready to Eat. They were told to prepare for "austere conditions." Many of them came with awkward fire gear and expected to wade in floodwaters, sift through rubble and save lives.

"They've got people here who are search-and-rescue certified, paramedics, haz-mat certified," said a Texas firefighter. "We're sitting in here having a sexual-harassment class while there are still [victims] in Louisiana who haven't been contacted yet."

Again, my mouth is hanging open in disbelief.