"I believe all current issues can be summarized in one topic - communication. In my 19 years in emergency management, I have never experienced a more polarized environment between state and federal government. It seems that the Katrina federal legacy is one of minimizing exposure for the next event and ensuring future focus is centered on state and local preparedness efforts. A perfect example of this attitude is illustrated in the National Plan Review, which was conducted in 2006. The states were told that this was an opportunity for all levels of government to sit together, review plans, identify shortfalls, and develop a strategy to address those shortfalls, both operationally and financially in the future. This seemed like a wonderful concept, right up until the time the national planning report card was published for each state. The entire exercise seemed to be little more than an opportunity for the federal government to tell the press, "we told you states weren't prepared". (Ashwood, Testimony.... on "FEMA Preparedness in 2007 and Beyond," July 31, 2007, p. 2).