Weapons of mass confusion

The U.S. claims it's too preoccupied by Katrina to take care of softwood lumber for now. Fair enough, as long as it's dealt with as soon as possible once the immediate emergency subsides. But is Katrina any particular reason to avoid accepting aid to the affected areas?

Planes are ready to load with food and medical supplies and a system called "DART" which can provide fresh water and medical supplies is standing by. Department of Homeland Security as well as other U.S. agencies were contacted by the Canadian government requesting permission to provide help. Despite this contact, Canada has not been allowed to fly supplies and personnel to the areas hit by Katrina...

Canadian agencies are saying that foreign aid is probably not being permitted into Louisiana and Mississippi because of "mass confusion" at the U.S. federal level in the wake of the storm.

Canada has since made concrete offers to help through DART, through the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration, and possibly through other means. But the only Canadians already on their way are members of a provincial force from B.C., at the request of Louisiana's state government, as well as Ontario power workers who appear to have travelled on their own.

According to the what seems to be the most recent information, the U.S. federal government is still "assessing its needs". Shouldn't a country completely focused on minimizing and recovering from a disaster have at least some handle on its needs this long after the disaster strikes? And how many people who could be helped by foreign contributions are going to suffer as a result of the lack of organization?