Hurricane Katrina

[1972zed]

CoastGuardZ. As a Western Canadian who visited NOLA (and fell in love with the city) a few years back, I have had that Tragically Hip song rattling around my head for a week. Awesome band - and that song you speak of "New Orleans is Sinking" isn't necessarily the best but its a good one. Nice to hear a plug for the Hip from south of the border. One of the most underrated bands out there.

on a more sober note, from a foreign perspective the optics of all this are that the people who had the wherewithall to get out got out, the people who didn't, couldnt. And it appears by the efforts in the aftermanth that the government doesn't care about the "downtrodden". And it appears that the government ignores these people because they don't vote, or at least vote for them. And if they wanted to vote, they would be deemed ineligible.

I guess much of this is the Michael Moore sentiment it will be interesting to see how it all plays out in the political theatre.

[MikeW]

And it appears by the efforts in the aftermanth that the government doesn't care about the "downtrodden". And it appears that the government ignores these people because they don't vote, or at least vote for them. And if they wanted to vote, they would be deemed ineligible.

I think that is out of line. It appears to me that the main group of people that the government is having to help are the "downtrodden". I can't imagine how you think voting is somehow tied to this. If you're somehow claiming that all of the victims stuck in the city couldn't vote then you're just plain wrong. Since you also seem to be claiming that this is tied to party politics please remember that the mayor of New Orleans and the Governor of Louisiana are both democrats and both have just as much responsibility to the citizens as federal officials. This is a massive natural disaster and there is much work to be done. There will be plenty of blame to spread around in the future.

[zguitar71]

Since you also seem to be claiming that this is tied to party politics please remember that the mayor of New Orleans and the Governor of Louisiana are both democrats and both have just as much responsibility to the citizens as federal officials.

The lack of funding for the flood mitigation system including the levees goes back to the Clinton era and beyond. There has been too much complacentcy from all parties.

[MikeW]

The lack of funding for the flood mitigation system including the levees goes back to the Clinton era and beyond. There has been too much complacentcy from all parties.

I agree but as I posted earlier the levee was only designed for a category 3. Even had all the funding been provided it might not have made a bit of difference. Some of the projects are still over 10 years from completion anyhow.

[jmortensen]

Man, already the political attacks are coming from all sides. Bottom line, the city is in a bad spot. Blaming W is like saying Clinton was responsible for the Northridge quake damage in '93, or Teddy Roosevelt for San Francisco's 1906 quake. Kinda retarded to blame the president when you look at it through that perspective, huh?

Seems more logical to hold some of the local govt officials responsible to me. But then they're all Democrats so maybe that won't fly with Chickenwafer. If he's still fighting the 2000 election that's a pretty good sign that reality and politics don't mix for him.

I for one hope they are smart enough not to rebuild NO as it was. They need to raise the city or move it IMO. You can make me into a pariah like Hastert if you want, but I'll take ostracism and common sense anyday.

[CoastGuardZ]

Here, here JMort! You are correct sir. Although raising an entire city or moving seem quite improbable... but on second thought Boston did shove the interstates underground... hmmm?

As you said the design is a local problem not the current administrations.

1972zed... trust me the g'ment is not ignoring the people down there. They have to get to them first. Trees are down, the roads that aren't flooded are packed with debris. If they could drive HumVees and Deuce and a Half's in there to get them they would.

Things are tuff all over down there.

As a side note... I'm a huge Hip fan, got started on 'em when I lived in Buffalo, NY.

Nate

[jmortensen]

Here, here JMort! You are correct sir. Although raising an entire city or moving seem quite improbable... but on second thought Boston did shove the interstates underground... hmmm?

Look how well having the interstates underground seems to be working for Boston.

If Japan can BUILD AN ISLAND to make an airport I would imagine that those same dirt scooping boats could fill in a bowl. Just an idea...

[mlc240z]

I think the scope of the devastation just overwhelmed any preparations they had in place. You can plan all you want, but the best laid plans become really inadequate if the wind shifts and the storm comes ashore 50 miles away. It's just too unpredictable.

As far as the levees and other flood mitigation projects, we're all guilty of the same thinking, even to the local and personal level.

Despite what a lot of people think, there's no money tree. It's a finite pot and everybody chooses what to spend it on based on the needs at the time.

Say, for example, the government has $300 million to spend on NOLA. They already have the current levee system in place and if, before this storm, you went to the people and asked what to spend it on, I doubt few would have said make the levees stronger IN CASE we ever get hit by a storm. In the past, we've weathered everything and it always misses us anyway. That's why a lot of people stayed thinking they'll just ride it out.

They would say been there, done that, we've ALREADY spent all this money (over $450million since just 1995), don't waste it on the same project.

With all the other needs to throw money at, they probably would want roads repaved/improved, welfare assistance increased, job training, a new park, a new stadium or convention center and the jobs that go with it, more police, etc.etc.etc.......

NOONE can predict the future.

I can guarantee a lot of money will be thrown at this now, but you might never get hit by another storm like this.

Unfortunately, people often use hindsight to point fingers at everyone else but themselves.

[MikeW]

Look how well having the interstates underground seems to be working for Boston.

If Japan can BUILD AN ISLAND to make an airport I would imagine that those same dirt scooping boats could fill in a bowl. Just an idea...

Kansai airport itself is sinking faster than planned, just like New Orleans has over the last several hundred years.

[jmortensen]

Kansai airport itself is sinking faster than planned, just like New Orleans has over the last several hundred years.

I knew that was going to come up. I still think it might be a better idea than rebuilding NO as is. There is always my other alternative. Move the city somewhere safer.

[zguitar71]

I agree but as I posted earlier the levee was only designed for a category 3. Even had all the funding been provided it might not have made a bit of difference. Some of the projects are still over 10 years from completion anyhow.

Unfortunatly the plans for the levees are shaped by politics as well. The plans will probably be changed to cover a catigory 5 now, and I bet they get funded. As far as the time frame, being that it is a government job 10 years will probably turn into 20.

I work for the local government here in Missoula as an Arborist. We have delt with FEMA on occasion. Once for a June snow storm that hit the city trees and caused a few million in damage (a lot for a small city like Missoula) and on a yearly basis for the inspection our own levee systems in the valley around the Clark Fork River. The amount of red tape to start the flow of money is incredible. It is a very slow process.

[zguitar71]

There is always my other alternative. Move the city somewhere safer.

I think that is the best idea. The place has been flooded for centuries. The French settled there in the 1500's and instead of moving to higher ground (the 1st flood happened 1 year after they started a settlement there) they started to build levees around the settlement. The same thinking has been in place now for a long time, only it has gotten more technilogically advanced. So I guess we sould really start blaming the French!