Some people have far too much time on their hands:
New Orleans has rebounded, with a tourist industry and elements of its infrastructure rebuilt, but the Census Bureau estimates that its population is only 75% of what it was ten years ago. And the city is still working its way through some of the storm's horrors: The Times Picayune this evening is leading its website with the story of the guilty plea of one of several police officers accused of firing on unarmed civilians during Katrina.
I'll tell y'all what I told my husband:
For starters, Hurricane Katrina happened damn near five years ago. New Orleans was far from the only city "devastated" by it--as anyone who paid the slightest bit of attention knows, Mississippi's Gulf coast got hit one hell of a lot harder.
Quite frankly, if, four-and-a-half years later, New Orleans is still struggling to recover from Hurricane Katrina New Orleans, and New Orleans alone, is to blame.
Want proof? Look at this article from Boston.com titled One Year After Hurricane Ike: The Big Picture:
One year after Hurricane Ike tore across the gulf coast of Texas, residents paused on Sunday to observe the anniversary of the costliest natural disaster in Texas history. Destroying or damaging many thousands of houses, including 3/4 of all homes in Galveston, Ike's 110 mph winds caused more than $29 billion in damage, and took the lives of at least 72 in the United States. In Galveston one year later, 75% of businesses have reopened, much of the debris has been cleared, and 95% of the population has returned, but much work still remains to be done as residents continue to rebuild and recover.
Now, if Galveston can recover that well after only a year, why does New Orleans lag far behind after nearly five? (Other, than, of course, the fact that we are Texans and therefore far superior to all other life forms.)
My other comment, upon sending Erik the article: "We've got some of NO's population. I'd be glad to send 'em back." Srsly. As I've said before, we've got a handful of businesses in the city which were started by former New Orleanians, but my experience overall has been less than positive. From the pissy whining I've overheard on the bus to the turf wars going on very nearby between New Orleans gangs and San Antonio gangs (or, more accurately, local and out of town chapters of the same gangs), I ran out of patience for the poor dears a couple of years ago now. I'm more than willing to suggest the city finance some eastbound Greyhounds in the name of helping the ongoing recovery.
3 comments:
Now, if Galveston can recover that well after only a year, why does New Orleans lag far behind after nearly five?
You're not supposed to ask questions like that. You should be asking why the government didn't do enough to help New Orleans. And maybe asking why our Glorious President(tm) hasn't done much more than BUSHITLER!!!!!111one did...oh wait, that wouldn't be a right question to ask either. Fucking pesky narratives. Oh, fuck iiiit....I give up.
Worst is, the levees failed because the people of New Orleans squandered the millions plus they were given to build and maintain the levees. And squandered on anything but the levees, by the way.
Mississippi? Some communities are rebuilding more slowly because they got wiped out completely, but within a year the mess was just about cleared. Big problem here was the insurance companies. They insure for wind but not water damage. Now tell me how you can determine which is which when all you have left is a slab.
Isn't this the part where we're supposed to blame Bush?
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