With as many Mardi Gras parades and balls as ever, revelers are bringing much-needed revenue to New Orleans this week, but after that, it’s back to the reality that recovery is still a long way off. Before Hurricane Katrina hit, New Orleans had a population of almost 450,000. Currently its population is just under 200,000 — and may be decreasing.
A recent survey of commercial movers has shown that more people are moving out of New Orleans than in, the New York Times reported. Many people would like to move back to the city they love, but the reasons not to return are numerous and include the lack of jobs and city services, high insurance and taxes and, most important, a growing crime rate.
Post-Katrina New Orleans is such a huge mess on such a grand scale that it is going to take strong leadership and an organized effort to even find the road to recovery. But one has to wonder: If half of Las Vegas, Cleveland, Long Beach or Kansas City (cities of similar size to New Orleans) had been wiped out 18 months ago, would they still be struggling to survive?
Posted by Patrice Hein
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61 Comments
Hell if it were Vegas, it would have been cleaned up in a week… Every branch of the military would have been there within seconds of landfall…
Donald Trump himself would have been flying over the city within hours…
So, yea… Each of those other cities would have been re-built within a year or so… Long Beach would have just plowed all of the debris right into swamp to make more real estate…
Its time for most of NOLA to be flooded by the Mississippi and reclamed. That city wont recover, its redicilious to promote living in an area that is as much as 7′ below sea level. When your roof line is below sea level, I think there is something wrong with this picture.
Its estimated that within 20 years the cost will be knocking at NOLA’s door, litterally.
“estuaries and marshlands on the gulf and near the mouth of the Mississippi River have been sinking at a rate of some 6,200 hectares)per year since the 1930s. ”
This is because the Mississippi used to flood and deposit silt into the swamps and marshes allowing them to stay at or above sea level. With the diversion and canalization of the Mississippi, it no longer floods and no longer deposits silt which allows the swamps to slowly sink into the ocean.
So, answer, get rid of NOLA!
And of course, the dominionists were out in full force trying to stop the Mardi Gras revelers from enjoying carnivale. I like the part about the catholic church being “roughed up” by the fundies.
“Aggressive religious zealots showed their asses today at Mardi Gras
I went down early and enjoyed a beautiful stroll through the quarter and ended up at Jackson Square where the religious zealots were carrying their big signs and telling us we were all going to hell.
The catholic church got ruffed up pretty bad by these knuckleheads and they were confrontational, I thought more so than usual.
I enjoy watching the freak show but some folks out for a good time at Mardi Gras (imagine that) take offense at all the histrionics of those who have decided our fates for us.
I particularly enjoyed the dueling megaphones in front of St Louis Cathedral which almost came to blows. Its truly amazing how christ’s children can be so fiesty.”
New Orleans:
Pre-Katrina: ShitholePost-Katrina: Shittier Shithole
New Orleans:
Pre-Katrina: ShitholePost-Katrina: Shittier Shithole
As the first poster pointed out, those cities are not positioned below sea level. In a hurricane zone. With not just the possibility, but the CERTAINTY, sooner or later, of just such a disaster again.
Yes, Long Beach has a similar situation with regard to earthquakes. And massive rebuilding there would be equally stupid, for the same reasons.
It makes no sense to rebuild those parts of NOLA that are below sea level. Buy out the owners of the properties below sea level, at good money, and turn those areas into parks and wildlife habitat. Rebuild only on sustainable ground.
GMC, I agree with you (again); how about extending this not only to Long Beach, but to the East Coast, specifically those areas, while not below sea level, are certain to be hit again (and again) by hurricanes over time. Not only Florida, by the way; I’m thinking about areas in North Carolina, e.g., where “living on the beach” or whatever is more prized than survival, as nearly as I am able to comprehend.
VT -
While I agree, in principle, those places at least are not below sea level; the surge will come in, but will go out again. NOLA has to be pumped out – constantly.
If you were told that in the place where you want to build your house that you would have to pump your property constantly to keep the groundwater from taking over and swallowing up your property, wouldn’t you choose to place your house elsewhere?
DUH.
As to the folks on the barrier islands – if you choose to live there, I expect YOU to carry the cost of insuring the property. Don’t live on a sand dune and then expect the taxpayers to bail you out when the hurricane wipes you out.
DUH again.
Vaughn & GM
I wouldn’t say they “can’t” live there, just that we (John Q Taxpayer) won’t insure them. Basically a build there at your own risk type thing and self insure yourselves.
Also as Florida has learned, build stronger buildings. An interesting article I saw recently was that the damage from each hurricane is less and less even though there were more hurricanes. That’s because the buildings are being built to withstand Cat 4 and 5 hurricanes now.
Something else interesting was that with the big, strong high rises along the coast, “takes” the brunt of the storm and dissipates some of the storms force, thus saving some of the smaller buildings inland.
When it comes to NOLA, I would say keep the central core, the French corridor and the areas that have “recovered”. Areas that are still devastated should have the levies blown and allow the river to reclaim it.
Tony and GMC; agree with your comments on the burden of insuring being on the individual choosing to build on the barrier islands, e.g., and not rely on federally subsidized insurance to cover the risk.
NOLA; agree with GMC on the issue of building where constant pumping is needed; Tony, I need to give your position a bit more thought. One issue with NOLA, IIRC, is the port, the need to have it operable for importation of oil and LNG, together with facilities to handle the oil produced from the off-shore platforms. I believe that some parts of the port are below sea-level, but do not know for sure.
Vaughn…
I dont say get rid of the port, i agree with your comments there… Infact i would like to see it increased in size… International Air/Sea port as well as make it the worlds largest refineries…
But the deal is that the companies that operate there have to deal with what ever issues arrise themselves and not to expect the government to bail them out.
Than I would like to see the rest of the land absorbed into the swamps…
Perhaps the question should be, “If New Orleans had elected a different mayor, would things be any better today?”
NOLA can be rebuilt. If any cognizant thinking had occurred post-Katrina, the areas which are below sea level (including, but not limited to the 9th Ward( should have been confiscated, with a initial payment of, say 50% of the estimated actual average value to each owner. Each property individually would be adjusted to actual value as soon as possible, and the difference paid to the owner.
Bulldoze everything into a giant landfill. Cover it with soil, and “roll” the hell out of it. Then add more topsoil, and roll it some more, and so, for at least five years, until it reaches a minimum of sea lever + 6 feet. And, of course, replace the levees, piered into bedrock, not sitting on shifting sand and silt.
Once accomplished, this land would be sold to developers, who would be standing in line to b get their bids in, and NOLA would be reclaimed, repopulated, and bigger and better than ever.
A slow process? It sure as hell would be, ten years at best. An expensive project?Certainly no more than is being spent right now, ineffectually, and worse than that, a doomed effort,as stated by many of you above.
Then, “Heck of a job, Brownie” might have some meaning. Unlike Cleveland, Kansas City and Long Beach, NOLA is worth saving.
Flettwood,
I believe that since you call the mayer into question and that he’s black that makes you racist. Be prepared for that.
“replace the levees, piered into bedrock,”
I don’t think that would be possible rm. Way too deep. However, they might be able to use supports designed to ‘float’ in the sediments.
We also need to stop preventing nature from replenishing the marshes that should be protecting NOLA. That blame falls squarely on the Corps of Engineers.
Fleetwood – Yes, I believe the situation WOULD be different.
When GWB told Nagin to evacuate – a wise man would have done so – AND used the buses that were previously determined for that purpose.
But – no one can accuse Nagin of being wise, now can they?
What I find most interesting is how the folks who refused to leave their homes before the levees broke got all high-and-mighty afterwards, seemingly insulted that the President of the United States did not show up at their front door, personally, in the Presidential limo – whisking them away to safety.
“When GWB told Nagin to evacuate – a wise man would have done so – AND used the buses that were previously determined for that purpose.”
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/08/28/hurricane.katrina/
This contemporary CNN report indicates that both Bush AND Nagin were urging NOLA residents to leave on Sunday. It was not Bush telling Nagin to leave and then him failing to do so, as you erroneously allege here.
Ben: You certainly know better than I do, but I was told you could be into bedrock at about 40 feet. That was purely anecdotal, however. “Floating supports” would certainly beat hell of of what they have now. The C of E is the root cause of all of this.
SOB: Fleet is a racist. But, he could wear a sheet and a funny dunce cap, and Ray Nagen could be a white Aryan Nazi, and Nagen would still be a piss poor excuse for a garbage collector, let alone mayor of a major American city.
Ben: You certainly know better than I do, but I was told you could be into bedrock at about 40 feet. That was purely anecdotal, however. “Floating supports” would certainly beat hell of of what they have now. The C of E is the root cause of all of this.
SOB: Fleet is a racist. But, he could wear a sheet and a funny dunce cap, and Ray Nagen could be a white Aryan Nazi, and Nagen would still be a piss poor excuse for a garbage collector, let alone mayor of a major American city.
Not sure without maps. When they built the new chem building at MIT (on fill by the Charles River) they drove an entire ‘curtain’ of piles down into the mud. I also saw a Discovery show about how they did the causeway across Lake Ponchetrain. BUT, you are absolutely correct that they must not repeat the mistakes of the recent past. The Corps should get a good slamming for this.
Nagin is an incompetent mayor when it comes to safety planning. See this link as evidence:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/05/11/new.orleans.evacuation/index.html
It is not necessary, however, to rewrite history along a partisan agenda to make that point…
1.) I find it hilarious that Catholics are upset about Mardi Gras since it is a celebration of Fat Tuesday right before Lent, it’s origins being the Catholic faith.
2.) “how about extending this not only to Long Beach, but to the East Coast, specifically those areas, while not below sea level, are certain to be hit again (and again) by hurricanes over time.”
This really wouldn’t be possible because hurricanes are so large and cover so much area. You would lose so much of the east / southeast of the US by doing that. Not to mention that most people in these areas take care of themselves, build their buildings with these conditions in mind, leave when they should (of course there are always a few idiots), and rebuild without blaming everyone else for their problems.
3.) I seriously believe with all of my heart that the results of Katrina would have been much different if it hadn’t of been for the ignorant actions of Mayor Nagin and the Gov. of Louisiana (can’t remember her name).
rm-Where do you get off calling me a racist? You can apologize any time. SOB was right.Nagin’s color has nothing to do with anything.
Hey, rm-Is AFN a sexist?
Kathleen Babineaux Blanco is the governor of Louisiana.
Fleet: You’ve made too many racist comments on other subjects, I can’t help but think you are. I don’t apologize for that belief.
If forgetting someone’s name makes one sexist, we’re all in trouble. Most of all, me.
Oh, and Fleetwood? I reckon you must now be “hater” too…perhaps
Ugh.
rm-Please to be quoting anything I’ve said to lead you to your idiot belief that I’m racist.
If AFN calls the Gov ignorant, does that make him sexist? That was the question.
That’s an especially funny scenario to think that I could possibly be sexist for calling a female governer ignorant since I am a woman… But I get the point that you’re trying to make. My opinion on those two is solely based on actions.
AFN-Tell it to rm.
Fleet: Contrary to what appears to be your hugely over-inflated dementia of self-importance, I do not keep a log of your every utterance, lest they be historically valuable. Maybe I have you confused with your compadres GNutz or the Cap’n. If that’s true, then I apologize.
Hey, capn-Have you heard we are compadres now? Who’d a thunk it.GolfNut is no racist either, but I hear he’s articulate and clean.
Speaking of being a racist, looks like the Eagle has added another White person to the editorial group in Patrice Hein. Pitiful.
jed and the rest of you Living Wage crowd-Maybe you could find out how much she makes. I’d bet it’s just above “squat”.
I saw that new intern picture too. Dang, not milfy whatsoever.
rm – if forgetting a name doesn’t make you sexist what does forgetting an anniversary date make you?
“Speaking of being a racist, looks like the Eagle has added another White person to the editorial group”
How does that make them racist? Or am I missing the sarcasm there?
“I saw that new intern picture too. Dang, not milfy whatsoever.”
Wow, what a gentleman, guess I don’t need to ask what your initials stand for…
Ben: Fundamentally “screwed”, pardner, in the worst sense of the word! :)
“Speaking of being a racist, looks like the Eagle has added another White person to the editorial group”
afn-It makes them hypocrites, not racists. One the one hand they will editorialize one way, then hire another way.
Anyone know what an intern is paid at the Eagle?
I haven’t been reading this paper or blog for very long so maybe I’ve missed something, but I would say that only makes them hypocrites or racist if they hired her over someone of another race who was better qualified. We (or at least I) don’t know who she was up against for the job or even if there was anyone else at all. No clue what they’re paid but it could possibly be nothing, some internships are unpaid.
Unpaid? Why would anyone work for free? Why would anyone work for anything less than a Living Wage?
College students work internships for the experience. That is the whole reason for an internship, to learn about business in the real world. Many companies offer unpaid internship, it just depends on how bad you want/need that experience. I was just lucky enough to have a paid internship.
rm – and/or dead!
;^)
“Anyone know what an intern is paid at the Eagle?”
I think I read that they pay $500 per month to their interns. Which is not real bad money for an internship.
Thank you for the info on the internship program.
Now, what is the difference between working as an intern for cheap (to get the experience) and working as a worker for cheap (to get the experience).You have to start somewhere. Eventually, one works up to a Living Wage. One shouldn’t be GIVEN a Living Wage.
Game, set, match.
You’re welcome. Didn’t realize you were playing tennis.
Seriously,I believe you are correct on your point here. Paying the dues, whether through work or education, is what is required.
Dad-gummit, failed to follow my very good advice…
What advice Steven?
“Unlike Cleveland, Kansas City and Long Beach, NOLA is worth saving.”
I’ll agree with that.
GSheridan,
Re: Your comment about people refusing to leave. Maybe learning about the history and culture of NOLA will help you understand the people who were born and still live there. You might also pay attention to who “refused,” as you put it, and why.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/04/opinion/04rice.html?ei=5090&en=ce2f33f8719dba9c&ex=1283486400
And I’ve never been a huge fan of NOLA. Still, I’m devastated by what the people there went through and what our administration DIDN’T do.
“Still, I’m devastated by what the people there went through and what our administration DIDN’T do.”
You should save your devastation for what the local and state goverment did NOT do. It is their job first and foremost. You people who depend on the Federal goverment get what you deserve.
Here in the flatlands, when a tornado tore the crap outta our town, the feds would not let people rebuild in a flood plain.The flood plain in question is protected by a levy that has NEVER been breached………BUT NOOOOO!!
I don’t care what color you are, or how rich or poor you are, NOBODY should be moving back into that death-trap.AND…….whay are the fed rules different in NOLA than thay are in Kansas?
Anybody moving back into that ought to have their head examined.And/or taken out of the gene pool.
woody, that would be why I refused federal assistance after the tornado.The last thing I wanted was beaurocrats and politicians getting involved in my situation.
tracy– That would make you a racist. And a dope.
“What advice Steven?”
You will soon know…
What a bunch of lovely Americans inhabit this blog. Real patriots. So christian. Turn your backs on your fellow Americans. The great thing about NOLA is we get visitors from all over the world. We get to take them on tours of the devastation and tell them why the levees failed. Yes, the world gets to see how America treats their own tax paying citizens. Stay in your little group and talk amongst yourself. The world sees the truth.
doc, there’s christian blogs out there by the thousands.Steven, OKwoody….whatever
So whadya suggest doc?ya suggest that in our town we let em move back into danger, and THEN bitch cause the govt didn’t save them?Same for NOLA.You wanna live there below sea level? Go for it.Just don’t blame me cause the govt let you live in a death trap.HA!
doc – if you paid any attention you would have noticed that at least some of us were discussing ways to help NOLA recover. In my case my hesitation to want to see rebuilding without major changes is proffesional – I see that as setting you up for a repeat.
Ben, crossed posts…..ditto.
Given the shifting post-Katrina demographics that are emerging in New Orleans, and how this suggests that by 2008 Louisiana will be firmly esconced as a majority Republican state, I’ll call Bush’s post-Katrina policy what it is: the ethnic cleansing of New Orleans.
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/02/20/louisiana/index_np.html
Heckuva job, Brownie, indeed.
With the Mardi Gras season rapidly approaching, I want to share with you four real cool websites I found for the perfect Mardi Gras party invitations,
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I was so lucky to find these sites with all unique and fresh looking Mardi Gras invitations cards. They allow you to add your own wordings, offer suggested wordings and sayings, and the preview your personalized cards before you buy. And, they ship the same day you approve your order. Try any of these sites, and I am sure you will love them as I do.
With the Mardi Gras season rapidly approaching, I want to share with you four real cool websites I found for the perfect Mardi Gras party invitations,
http://www.cardspersonalized.comhttp://www.cardsshoppe.com/productlist.asp?catid=39http://www.holiday-invitations.com/Mardi-Gras-Invitations-Cards/browse-26.htmhttp://www.invitations-shoppe.com/Invitations_Cards/Mardi_Gras_Invitations_Cards-5-1.htm.
I was so lucky to find these sites with all unique and fresh looking Mardi Gras invitations cards. They allow you to add your own wordings, offer suggested wordings and sayings, and the preview your personalized cards before you buy. And, they ship the same day you approve your order. Try any of these sites, and I am sure you will love them as I do.
Mardi Gras is always so special and so much fun. Since I always give a big Mardi Gras Party, I am always looking for that ’special’ Mardi Gras party invitations. This year I not only found one place, but three great places to buy Mardi Gras Party Invitations that can be personalized, http://www.cardsshoppe.com/productlist.asp?catid=39, http://www.holiday-invitations.com/Mardi-Gras-Invitations-Cards/browse-26.htm and http://www.invitations-shoppe.com/Invitations_Cards/Mardi_Gras_Invitations_Cards-5-1.htm. I added all three sites to my favorites and ordered from http://www.invitations-shoppe.com and was very pleased. I got lots of compliments, and was so happy. It made the holidays extra special!