We had our first post-9/11 task and we've miserably failed.

We've had our first test, and we've failed miserably,

We did everything possible to prevent this happening but we have failed miserably.

You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is 'never try'.

You tried your best and failed miserably. The lesson is: never try.

Many of these recommendations proposed by the 9/11 commission one year ago might have made a difference in saving lives and preventing loss of lives in this hurricane.