Incompetence vs. Negligence vs. Conspiracy

In seeing all these posts on ATS about Hurricane Katrina I think we all need to see the difference between incompetence, negligence, and conspiracy. Then using these definitions we can say who falls into each category. These definitions are from dictionary.com

in·com·pe·tence (n-kmp-tns) or in·com·pe·ten·cy (-tn-s)
n.

1. The quality of being incompetent or incapable of performing a function, as the failure of the cardiac valves to close properly.
2. The condition of being not legally qualified, as to stand trial.
3. The inability to distinguish right from wrong or to manage one's affairs.

Incompetence

n 1: lack of physical or intellectual ability or qualifications [syn: incompetency] [ant: competence] 2: inability of a part or organ to function properly




neg·li·gence Audio pronunciation of "Negligence" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (ngl-jns)
n.

1. The state or quality of being negligent.
2. A negligent act or a failure to act.
3. Law. Failure to exercise the degree of care considered reasonable under the circumstances, resulting in an unintended injury to another party.

Negligence

n 1: failure to act with the prudence that a reasonable person would exercise under the same circumstances [syn: carelessness, neglect, nonperformance] 2: the trait of neglecting responsibilities and lacking concern [syn: neglect, neglectfulness]



con·spir·a·cy Audio pronunciation of "Conspiracy" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (kn-spîr-s)
n. pl. con·spir·a·cies

1. An agreement to perform together an illegal, wrongful, or subversive act.
2. A group of conspirators.
3. Law. An agreement between two or more persons to commit a crime or accomplish a legal purpose through illegal action.
4. A joining or acting together, as if by sinister design: a conspiracy of wind and tide that devastated coastal areas.

Conspiracy

n 1: a secret agreement between two or more people to perform an unlawful act [syn: confederacy] 2: a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act (especially a political plot) [syn: cabal] 3: a group of conspirators banded together to achieve some harmful or illegal purpose