Polticians and New Orleans

As a resisdent of Louisiana I am ashamed to say New Orleans is a part of the state. Instead of picking themselves up(not waiting for goverment aid) and rebuild the city themselves. We never hear about Rita cause they did not wait for the govenment to "rescue them".

Do you reject politics, and all its works, and all its empty promises?

I do.

We never hear about Rita cause they did not wait for the govenment to "rescue them".

This was P.J. O'Rourke's conclusion as well:

Hurricane Katrina was a blessing to liberals, a consecrated opportunity to make advocates of small government look small, to enlarge largess with a public dole of private goods, to expand the elemental purview of politics to include earth, water, air, and (with gas at $3) fire, and to shrink the reputation of a despised president.

Hurricane Rita, with its sensible actions by state and city officials, orderly evacuations, lack of looting and minimal loss of life, was not a blessing. One's heart went out to liberals, watching their disappointment as Rita failed to destroy Galveston, flood Houston, or wipe Crawford off the map. How can liberals make sure that America never experiences another Rita?

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/006/150mzfsd.asp?pg=1

No, I don't think people who suffered at NO got what they deserved and my prayers go to people suffering in NO, so there is no need for indignant accusations of callousness.

Actually, quite a lot has been done to protect against future hurricanes, but only because Katrina and Rita caused quite a lot MORE damage. Overall, we (I am a life-long New Orleanian, living Uptown) still do not have in place the protections we had before the storm, much less the minimal Cat 3 defenses that the Federal Government undertook to provide decades ago. There is plenty of blame that can be assigned to local government, especially for racial pandering (I'm thinking of both the DA and the mayor) and incompetence in leadership. But the Federal government also has failed us -- first because of defective flood protection structures; subsequently because the reality has not kept up with promises. Two years on and almost nothing has been done to restore the coastal marshes and barrier islands that, long term, are our only real hope in this world (though I hasten to mention my gratitude for Divine protection continues through the intercession of our Lady of Prompt Succor). The Corps has foot-dragged on closing the MRGO, the Road Home program is grossly under-funded, and in general the lack of stern urgency on the local level is matched by reptilian indifference on the part of the Federal Government.

What we really need is massive Federal help now on the Coastal erosion issue. New Orleans and the rest of Louisiana below I -10 is in extrem danger. I don't think people realize what a National security this is and will no till a Hurrican hits the area around Port Fouchon and the country goes into a recession.

Please keep in mind. It is not only federal aid on which people are waiting. Residents are also dealing with insurance scams and shams. Companies not wanting to pay policy holders. Other companies tying to split hair. THey give excuses like, "Sorry, your house wasn't damaged by water. It was damaged by wind, which isn't covered on your policy. If the wind had not blow out your windows and doors your house would not have flooded...just ignore that 8 foot water line in your living room -- the wind did that too"