Before Katrina, it was a longstanding tradition in our country for political officials to wait until the last minute to warn, to take action, to evacuate. No more. With Irene, you had mass evacuations - mandatory ones - issued days ahead of time. That was the right thing to do.
"A general talks storm lessons since Katrina". Interview with Ashley Fantz, www.cnn.com. August 29, 2011.