News-Record.com

Well so much for not politicizing this tragic event. And given how slow and disorganized the rescue time has been up till now, and I am not putting all the blame on the government given the magnitude of this but this event has probably only encouraged the terrorists to come after us.

I've always considered "as long as we're fighting them there we don't have to worry about them here" a bizzare bit of magical thinking. It flys in the face of logic and reality. Why do we have the massive Homeland Security apparatis if we don't have to worry about them here? Why did this theory not work for Britain & Spain?

I think it shows the weakness of the arguments for the Iraqi war that people have to resort to such dubious justifications to support the case for this conflict.

Hayes,

A hurricane hitting New Orleans, a San Francisco earthquake, and a major terrorist attack on New York were the 3 most discussed potential disasters facing this country. I do blame the government for the slow pace of assistance. That's what we hire them for and they failed the test. Yes it is a massive problem but not unforseeable. This has been discussed for years. Books have been written about it. The response has been to cut funds for levy maintenance and send the Louisiana National Guard halfway around the world.

Marshall, the funds for the levy maintainence has been lacking since 1969. There has been virtually nothing done to enforce or build up the levy's that have been sinking since Camille . The levy's built prior to 69 and were built to withstand a cat 3 storm and NO and La felt safe. Cutting any funding in the past 6 years, because as it goes in Government circles, use it or lose it, had nothing to do with what just occured in NO.

And the chest thumping goes on!

Shalom

Yet another person blaming Bill Clinton. Quit living in the past, and hold this administration responsible for the decisions they've made.

You're wrong mr produce.

The Army Corps of Engineers have had their New Orleans levee upgrading budget cut nearly 80% over the past few years. They had on the table, a project to upgrade the levee system, but didn't have the money for it.

Had they had the money and upgraded the levee system like they wanted to, many, many lives undoubtedly would have been saved. But, this is just what I've read from many sources.

If this is how we respond to a natural disaster, God help us if a small-yield nuke goes off in a major American city.

And I say that in the belief that the local authorities didn't do enough to evacuate New Orleans before Katrina hit.

What Terrorist are being in Iraq? Did not think they found any terrorist or WMD.
Why would the Gov. respond any faster when people are shooting at the helicopters there to help.
I saw Al and Jessie on TV bad mouthing the help being so slow. I do not see them there trying to help anyone. The Red Cross is in need of help. Jessie , Al and Skip. Shout up and help.

Hardly since 1969 Harper when the Camille hit and all knew then that they would barely hold under a Cat 3. Please furnish some facts with the 80% number. I don't find any reference in the ACOE pages about the budget being cut that much over any period of time. If that were true the Corp would just have to shut down. Aint happening. Facts please , not crystal ball reading.
I lived there and was stationed there and in the area for a good while. I still have enough memory left to remember what happened in 69 and the years following. Nothing happened then so it ain't too hard to remember. The levy's have been sinking for over 30 years, you would think that somewhere in time someone might have thought to have dumped a few loads of dirt on top of them, now wounldn't you. I believe hugh, also live there during that time and has addressed part of the problem in another thread.

With all the hot air that Al and Jesse put out they could have helped dry half the water out of the city. But you won't see them there doing jack crap. All they can do is whine and schreech like a fish wife.

MRProduce:

From June 6th:

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4200/is_20050606/ai_n14657367

"In fiscal year 2006, the New Orleans district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is bracing for a record $71.2 million reduction in federal funding.

"It would be the largest single-year funding loss ever for the New Orleans district, Corps officials said.

"... a study to determine ways to protect the region from a Category 5 hurricane has been shelved for now."

"SELA's budget is being drained from $36.5 million awarded in 2005 to $10.4 million suggested for 2006 by the House of Representatives and the president."

ALSO:

from http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001051313

"In early 2004, as the cost of the conflict in Iraq soared, President Bush proposed spending less than 20 percent of what the Corps said was needed for Lake Pontchartrain, according to a Feb. 16, 2004, article, in New Orleans CityBusiness."

... now certainly the effect of even fully funded projects would take years to accomplish, but they say timing is everything in politics .... and you can BET if Bushy had supported 100% of the requested funding, the Neocons would be SHOUTING to the rooftops praises of Bushy's foresight.

"It's impossible to defend something like this happening in America," said former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

"No one can be happy with the kind of response which we've seen in New Orleans," said Republican Govenor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts.

JDR, thanks for the evidence to support your statements! I wish others would do likewise!

Shalom

Rockefeller-I think I love you! Great posts.

"Rockefeller-I think I love you!"

I'd say get in line, Ms. K., but the queue is really short ...

Thanks!