Conversely, the lack of bribing Texan authorities would explain why a (possibly) similar level of malfeasance led to more criticism and more immediate disappoin

Conversely, the lack of bribing Texan authorities would explain why a (possibly) similar level of malfeasance led to more criticism and more immediate disappointment. I think, by your reasoning, it _would_ be fair to compare with Katrina response, and they were also criticized for financial mismanagement in their Katrina response.