Posted by zeugma on November 3, 2005, at 17:25:23
In reply to Re: ?? » alexandra_k, posted by Dinah on November 3, 2005, at 16:37:17
> Didn't you read the link I sent? Or heard what I said about two sides of the canal being built differently?
>
> There's something that stinks to high heaven, but it's local not national.
>No. it's a national problem as you explain later.
> On the other hand, regardless of where the money's going (because not all our money is going to Iraq, you know), I think the US is going to write off New Orleans. President Bush's administration has pretty much said they're going to rebuild to Category 3 levels only. They're also not going to spend the dollars that need to be spent to build up the marshes. Without the marshes, we're a coastal city. We can't survive as a coastal city. We're too low. So at this point, I'd say that anyone who comes back to New Orleans or who stays here does so without national help and without much care from the government. But I don't think it has anything to do with race or income. I think it just has to do with the fact that they just don't care.>>
Someone mentioned that they read al Jazeera or something for 'balance.'
But our current leaders indict themselves quite well. Not rebuild deltas? Let the environment go to hell? I live in New York, and we are far from immune to hurricanes and next year it might be Hurricane Gamma that takes us out. But there won't be charges of racism etc. leveled at President Bush. New York is not mostly black. It's mostly Democrat.
>
> Perhaps we could get some of the money we get by increasing taxes enormously on any oil or natural gas that depends on Louisiana for production. I'd hate to see us do that to the rest of the country, but if we're not important to them, we're not important and we'll have to do whatever we have to do to look after ourselves. Or else lose all our investment in our homes and businesses and just leave the city, like it looks like the feds just as soon we do. Either that or have several more Katrinas that will cost more than the flood protection.>>You indict the current administration far better than I could in a torrent of words. It is an error to suppose that New Orleans is the only city that could have been vulnerable; last time I looked at a relief map of Florida I didnt see Alpine heights.
I have no doubt that the national Guard performed heroically. But it is a fact that most of the Louisana National Guard was in Iraq when the hurricane hit.
It is also a fact that Michael brown, FEMA director at the time of the hurricane, had beetr things to do than listen to the pleas of the official he sent to N.O. to investigate what was happening. Hate to use the cliche, but 'fiddling while Rome burned.'
I must say one thing in favor of President Bush, however.
Most public officials pretend sadness over departing subordinates who have lost favor with the public and so have to go. Better off whithout the fool who made me look bad, they think. But I believe Bush was quite sincere in his estimation of brown's competence and compassion.
Competence and compassion. I can add foresightedness to that list.
-z
-z
poster:zeugma
thread:574039
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20050924/msgs/575080.html