WSJ on our "cumbersome" laws

The WSJ's "Misinformation Slowed Federal Response to Katrina" seems to offer support for (finally!) doing something about all those very archaic laws:

Washington's experience in Louisiana has prompted the White House to seek ways to shoulder locals out of the way if another similar disaster crops up in the future. President Bush has asked Congress to consider mechanisms that would allow him to quickly place the Pentagon in charge of such disasters, making it easier to use assets such as the 82nd Airborne Division, highly trained, regular Army soldiers who specialize in moving to an area quickly and securing it. As it was, cumbersome federal regulations generally prevent Mr. Bush from sending regular Army troops to enforce order in American cities unless they are expressly invited by a state's governor.

It's so much easier in, well, Banana Republics.