Let Louisiana do the rebuilding.

[rcajun90]

Mitch Landrieu the Lt. Governor of Louisiana gave an interesting proposal to Congress today. He basically proposed that the federal government keep the proposed 200 billion dollars in aid and let Louisiana keep all of its oil, gas, agricultural and fishing revenue. Apparently Congress didn’t really like that idea. He also reminded Congress that the same proposal was given ten years ago to allow Louisiana to fix its coastal erosion problem and its levee systems but it was denied back then. If they would have said yes, this disaster might have never happened. I guess America needs Louisiana.

:cof:

 

[Annie]

Mitch Landrieu the Lt. Governor of Louisiana gave an interesting proposal to Congress today. He basically proposed that the federal government keep the proposed 200 billion dollars in aid and let Louisiana keep all of its oil, gas, agricultural and fishing revenue. Apparently Congress didn’t really like that idea. He also reminded Congress that the same proposal was given ten years ago to allow Louisiana to fix its coastal erosion problem and its levee systems but it was denied back then. If they would have said yes, this disaster might have never happened. I guess America needs Louisiana.

:cof:

I am not finding anything quite like that. I find one article that mentions,

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1129702292198130.xml

Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu was even more direct, telling members he knows some members of Congress are worried about sending money to Louisiana. But, he told them, "Louisiana does not have a corner on the market in terms of public corruption," and took out a sheet of information from a Justice Department Web site showing seven states with members on the House subcommittees had higher numbers of public corruption convictions than his state.

"Just as no member of Congress would like to have themselves painted by the actions of a few, nor do the people of Louisiana," said Landrieu, who described Louisianians as people of "faith, family and country."

there were 255 similar hits...

 

[rcajun90]

I am not finding anything quite like that. I find one article that mentions,

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1129702292198130.xml

there were 255 similar hits...

I heard the speech on WWL radio during my break at work. Perhaps it wasn't Mitch but it sounded like him. I know what I listened to but I can't find a reference to it on the website.

http://www.wwl.com/

 

[Annie]

I think that the government should help LA get on its feet again, but to rebuild all? Sorry, I don't think that should happen. I do think LA needs to take a real good look at what was in NO, move all that wasn't tourist related to other areas, drastically cutting the size of NO. At the same time, LA will be able to rebuild the tourism business in the city, since those business bring in the dollars necessary to rebuild if disaster were to strike again.

There is no reason to have so many people living in an area that is that dangerous. Baton Rouge is not so far a drive or public trans. commute, that people could live in one area and still work in NO. Many people travel over 40 miles for work.

 

[sitarro]

I think that the government should help LA get on its feet again, but to rebuild all? Sorry, I don't think that should happen. I do think LA needs to take a real good look at what was in NO, move all that wasn't tourist related to other areas, drastically cutting the size of NO. At the same time, LA will be able to rebuild the tourism business in the city, since those business bring in the dollars necessary to rebuild if disaster were to strike again.

There is no reason to have so many people living in an area that is that dangerous. Baton Rouge is not so far a drive or public trans. commute, that people could live in one area and still work in NO. Many people travel over 40 miles for work.

I agree Kathianne, that was my original point before I started giving r such a hard time. Drastic changes have to be made or it WILL happen again. We all pay for the mistakes and corruption in higher taxes and insurance cost. If all of the federal dollars were actually spent on the job they were given for maybe the levees would have been built correctly instead of the levee board spending it on airplanes and casinos.

The Mississippi being what it is, the Army Corp. of Engineers have been fighting an uphill battle for decades.
Look at a map, the river shouldn't be making that right angle turn to New Orleans from Baton Rouge, it is and will continue to be the biggest threat to that city. It doesn't take an engineer to know that there is something wrong when you stand in the French Quarter and can see a large part of a cargo ship traveling well over your head(not masts or even the wheel house but 3/4 of the side of the ship).

The Sierra Club needs to be held accountable for the lawsuits they filed that prevented the needed work being done to the levee. The city also needs to be held responsible for spending rediculous amounts of money on pathetic football team owner's whims rather than the safety of their population. Let's see, should we spend a couple hundred million on luxury boxes for an already overpriced, underused playground(superdome?) for multi millionaire kids or use that money to fix the pumps that keep New Orleans dry?

New Orleans needs to get their priorities figured out and get a real administration that does the work for the people rather than continue to build silly tourist traps. New Orleans doesn't have the luxury other cities have to waste money on teams that in reality bring very little revenue to the city. I remember a report on the revenue brought to Denver from having the Broncos fill Mile High Stadium every home game, it was a little over a million dollars a year cleared after all of the cost of putting on the games(in the early 90s). I would guess new Orleans doesn't do much better with the Aints.

Elect a Mayor on qualifications rather than skin color, that would be a good start. Don't allow the poor to live in areas that you can't get out of, they may want to live in the city but it just isn't realistic. Quit pretending that you can build like any other city, other cities aren't guaranteed flood zones.

I understand the sentimentality but it is just that, get real for once. The only reason people go to New Orleans is for the party atmosphere, build on that and strengthen that, bring in the casinos and quit pussy footing around, turn it into the Vegas of the south and let the idiots that want to get drunk and loose money gambling pay for the city.

I haven't been there in twenty years and I will never return, it boring! Give me the western half of the country any day. If I need to be in a Port City I'll go to San Francisco or Seattle, both are much prettier and have a wealth of things to do besides eat and drink. But my real loves are Arizona and Colorado, give me Flagstaff or Steamboat and I'm a happy camper.

 

[rcajun90]

I agree Kathianne, that was my original point before I started giving r such a hard time. Drastic changes have to be made or it WILL happen again. We all pay for the mistakes and corruption in higher taxes and insurance cost. If all of the federal dollars were actually spent on the job they were given for maybe the levees would have been built correctly instead of the levee board spending it on airplanes and casinos.

"You don't know what you are talking about. We have been asking for the money to make the levees stronger since the 1960's. The federal government said no. According to the speaker on the radio that I think was Mitch, we even asked if we could keep all our oil revenue for a few years so we could build them ourselves and they still said no. Perhaps it was corruption or the fact that this disaster hasn't happened in the nearly 300 year history of the state. BTW do you really think the state built Harrah's or the riverboat casinos? You are assuming and speculating. Also we have been begging for money to help stop coastal erosion which has destroyed the bufferzone New Orleans once had from the coast. The government response was a trickle of what was asked for."

"The Mississippi being what it is, the Army Corp. of Engineers have been fighting an uphill battle for decades.
Look at a map, the river shouldn't be making that right angle turn to New Orleans from Baton Rouge, it is and will continue to be the biggest threat to that city. It doesn't take an engineer to know that there is something wrong when you stand in the French Quarter and can see a large part of a cargo ship traveling well over your head(not masts or even the wheel house but 3/4 of the side of the ship)."

What the hell are you talking about? The French Quarter is the highest point in the city and it didn't flood one drop. Are you talking about the river bank?
There is nothing unusual about that. That bend or crescent has been there since 1718 and never has overflowed its banks. It was the 17th street canal levee that broke which is a good twenty miles from the Mississippi river.

"The Sierra Club needs to be held accountable for the lawsuits they filed that prevented the needed work being done to the levee. The city also needs to be held responsible for spending rediculous amounts of money on pathetic football team owner's whims rather than the safety of their population. Let's see, should we spend a couple hundred million on luxury boxes for an already overpriced, underused playground(superdome?) for multi millionaire kids or use that money to fix the pumps that keep New Orleans dry?"

Apparently you are out of the loop. Benson was threating to move the Saints because the state wasn't willing to give him the money he was demanding. The Superdome has been paid for since the 1970's and it did more than host the Saints. Everything that your civic center holds it held plus I believe it has held more superbowls which generates millions of dollars than any other stadium. Also don't forget about the Sugar Bowl.


"Elect a Mayor on qualifications rather than skin color, that would be a good start. Don't allow the poor to live in areas that you can't get out of, they may want to live in the city but it just isn't realistic. Quit pretending that you can build like any other city, other cities aren't guaranteed flood zones."

Again for the 20th freaking time, only a small portion of the city flooded and it hasn't done that in 300 years! Los Angles and San Fransico are built on fault lines. I bet the big one will hit those areas before New Orleans floods again. Also I see Wilma has a chance to hit Tampa. Should we abandon the whole state because it is a freaking Hurricane zone?


"I haven't been there in twenty years and I will never return, it boring! Give me the western half of the country any day. If I need to be in a Port City I'll go to San Francisco or Seattle, both are much prettier and have a wealth of things to do besides eat and drink. But my real loves are Arizona and Colorado, give me Flagstaff or Steamboat and I'm a happy camper.

"

Arizona? Like that state would even be there without us drying out the west.
Aren't they suppose to start having water shortages in the next 30 years because they have created artificial cities like Phoneix in the middle of the desert? What idiots.
http://www.uswaternews.com/archives/arcsupply/tarifac7.html

 

[Gunny]

I think that the government should help LA get on its feet again, but to rebuild all? Sorry, I don't think that should happen. I do think LA needs to take a real good look at what was in NO, move all that wasn't tourist related to other areas, drastically cutting the size of NO. At the same time, LA will be able to rebuild the tourism business in the city, since those business bring in the dollars necessary to rebuild if disaster were to strike again.

There is no reason to have so many people living in an area that is that dangerous. Baton Rouge is not so far a drive or public trans. commute, that people could live in one area and still work in NO. Many people travel over 40 miles for work.

No problem with your ideas, but an interesting point has been raised. Just WHAT is it we get from the Federal gov't that is worth what they take from us (the states)?

Let LA keep their profits. Let TX keep our oil, refined gas, agricultural and livestock products. What are we funding?

Congressperson living in relative luxury in DC and free trips home at our expense so they can accomplish gridlock?

In short, I don't think the Federal gov't is currently earning its keep.

 

[rcajun90]

No problem with your ideas, but an interesting point has been raised. Just WHAT is it we get from the Federal gov't that is worth what they take from us (the states)?

Let LA keep their profits. Let TX keep our oil, refined gas, agricultural and livestock products. What are we funding?

Congressperson living in relative luxury in DC and free trips home at our expense so they can accomplish gridlock?

In short, I don't think the Federal gov't is currently earning its keep.

Well we do get a great army out of the deal. Also we got and are getting money to keep the great interstate system going but thats about it that I can think of. Louisiana could probably afford to go it alone. Texas would probably better off going it alone. When you think about it, its about ten states that support the other 40. Maybe we could create the nation of Texana? :happy2:

 

[Annie]

Well we do get a great army out of the deal. Also we got and are getting money to keep the great interstate system going but thats about it that I can think of. Louisiana could probably afford to go it alone. Texas would probably better off going it alone. When you think about it, its about ten states that support the other 40. Maybe we could create the nation of Texana? :happy2:

I guess I am just of the belief that the smaller we keep the federal gov't, in our case if we could get the federal gov't smaller, it would be less intrusive and better able to do the things it's qualified for, such as that army you mentioned.

If the state's had more of their money, guess where the people's interest would be focused and demand for accountability?

 

[rcajun90]

I guess I am just of the belief that the smaller we keep the federal gov't, in our case if we could get the federal gov't smaller, it would be less intrusive and better able to do the things it's qualified for, such as that army you mentioned.

If the state's had more of their money, guess where the people's interest would be focused and demand for accountability?

I was just joking about the texana thing. However I was shocked and dismayed by the response of some of the people on this board about rebuilding an American city and region that has given so much to this country. I then realized this board represents only a handful of people and the general American population has opened up their hearts and wallets to us. Those that want to live and do in a desert or mountain region couldn’t do it with out the farmers of the Midwest or the offshore oil workers of Texas and Louisiana. We are one nation, one people and we must help each other in good and bad times. :usa:

 

[Annie]

I was just joking about the texana thing. However I was shocked and dismayed by the response of some of the people on this board about rebuilding an American city and region that has given so much to this country. I then realized this board represents only a handful of people and the general American population has opened up their hearts and wallets to us. Those that want to live and do in a desert or mountain region couldn’t do it with out the farmers of the Midwest or the offshore oil workers of Texas and Louisiana. We are one nation, one people and we must help each other in good and bad times. :usa:

Well I've given as much as I can to the Red Cross/Salvation Army. My classes sponsored a family-raised $2500. That's only 52 kids and 3 teachers. The other classes also did fundraisers. We have purchased and sent school supplies and jr. high materials to a Catholic school in Baton Rouge that has taken in 38 students, with no tuition.

I am all for 'responsibly' rebuilding NO, but with the way the land lies, just don't think 1/2 a million citizens living there permanently is such a grand idea. It's a tourist mecca, I agree there. As for the natural resources and the workers, they don't have to live 8-12 feet below sea level, to work there.

 

[rcajun90]

Well I've given as much as I can to the Red Cross/Salvation Army. My classes sponsored a family-raised $2500. That's only 52 kids and 3 teachers. The other classes also did fundraisers. We have purchased and sent school supplies and jr. high materials to a Catholic school in Baton Rouge that has taken in 38 students, with no tuition.

I am all for 'responsibly' rebuilding NO, but with the way the land lies, just don't think 1/2 a million citizens living there permanently is such a grand idea. It's a tourist mecca, I agree there. As for the natural resources and the workers, they don't have to live 8-12 feet below sea level, to work there.

First thank you and now that we are starting to get back on our feet it's time to help the folks where that God awful Wilma will hit. I don't totally disagree with you on rebuilding New Orleans. The 9th ward maybe shouldn't be rebuilt. There wasn't much there anyways besides projects. There is higher ground not very far away from that area. The Metairie area for the most part didn't flood and there's at least 100,000 people living there as I type. The Northshore of the lake didn't flood at all except of course right around the lake itself. We have something like 250,000 people living here right now. The levee system has worked since they were built (I believe in the 50's but not sure) so if we updated them and built them bigger and stronger I don't see why the rest of the city couldn't be repopulated. Also few people mention that the many pumping stations designed in the 1960's failed which could have taken the pressure of the levees and who knows even the old ones might have worked and we wouldn't be talking about this. Donald Trump a man I would believe would be in the know says it can be done.

I'm not even going to go through the other major cities lying on faults, prone to flooding or are in hurricane zones. You have done your part and I'm grateful. One of the best things I've seen is some payback by people that remember when we helped them. There were NYC police down here in little old Covington Louisiana doing what they could do to help as we did after 9/11. The remembered the fire engines we gave them and the gumbo crew that provided them meals at ground zero.

I guess what I'm saying is first populate the high grounds which people are already doing. Built a modern levee and pump system to populate the rest of the city.

 

[Gunny]

First thank you and now that we are starting to get back on our feet it's time to help the folks where that God awful Wilma will hit. I don't totally disagree with you on rebuilding New Orleans. The 9th ward maybe shouldn't be rebuilt. There wasn't much there anyways besides projects. There is higher ground not very far away from that area. The Metairie area for the most part didn't flood and there's at least 100,000 people living there as I type. The Northshore of the lake didn't flood at all except of course right around the lake itself. We have something like 250,000 people living here right now. The levee system has worked since they were built (I believe in the 50's but not sure) so if we updated them and built them bigger and stronger I don't see why the rest of the city couldn't be repopulated. Also few people mention that the many pumping stations designed in the 1960's failed which could have taken the pressure of the levees and who knows even the old ones might have worked and we wouldn't be talking about this. Donald Trump a man I would believe would be in the know says it can be done.

I'm not even going to go through the other major cities lying on faults, prone to flooding or are in hurricane zones. You have done your part and I'm grateful. One of the best things I've seen is some payback by people that remember when we helped them. There were NYC police down here in little old Covington Louisiana doing what they could do to help as we did after 9/11. The remembered the fire engines we gave them and the gumbo crew that provided them meals at ground zero.

I guess what I'm saying is first populate the high grounds which people are already doing. Built a modern levee and pump system to populate the rest of the city.

You're still pitting yourself against Mother Nature. I lived in Miami for years and it was just a fact of life. All the levees and pumps in the world cannot hide the fact that NO's and LA's political infrastructures/emergency response preparedness were ineffectual.

Something y'all should remember when you vote.

 

[rcajun90]

You're still pitting yourself against Mother Nature. I lived in Miami for years and it was just a fact of life. All the levees and pumps in the world cannot hide the fact that NO's and LA's political infrastructures/emergency response preparedness were ineffectual.

Something y'all should remember when you vote.

Something that will be remembered when we vote. We might not even wait to vote. Check out the videos. She is at best an idiot.
http://impeachblanco.org/

You can't hide from the wrath of Mother Nature. One day a cat. 5 will hit Miami,
Tampa Bay, Houston etc. One day the big one will hit Los Angles or San Fransico. Will we rebuild those cities? Of course we will.

 

[Annie]

Something that will be remembered when we vote. We might not even wait to vote. Check out the videos. She is at best an idiot.
http://impeachblanco.org/

You can't hide from the wrath of Mother Nature. One day a cat. 5 will hit Miami,
Tampa Bay, Houston etc. One day the big one will hit Los Angles or San Fransico. Will we rebuild those cities? Of course we will.

Please check out what your US Senators first inclinations were, when funding was being discussed. The reps you have are ill serving you sir or madame.

 

[rcajun90]

Please check out what your US Senators first inclinations were, when funding was being discussed. The reps you have are ill serving you sir or madame.

I'm not sure what you are talking about. Can you tell me or give me a link?

 

[Annie]

I'm not sure what you are talking about. Can you tell me or give me a link?

http://www.usmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?p=345453#post345453

 

[Gunny]

Something that will be remembered when we vote. We might not even wait to vote. Check out the videos. She is at best an idiot.
http://impeachblanco.org/

You can't hide from the wrath of Mother Nature. One day a cat. 5 will hit Miami,
Tampa Bay, Houston etc. One day the big one will hit Los Angles or San Fransico. Will we rebuild those cities? Of course we will.

You are too defensive where rebuilding NO is concerned. My point is that the odds are high enough. I sure wouldn't build below sea level and trust a piece of machinery to keep the water out. One thing about machinery -- it all breaks down sooner or later.

btw .... Miami was hit by Andrew. Not only did the Gov of FL check the appropriate boxes with the Feds beforehand, but he he had the Guard on its way beforehand.

I'm not talking to the fact that hurricanes strike. Of course they do, and will. I'm talking to the fact that state and local officials who are prepared aren't sucking wind pointing fingers everywhere when the shit hits the fan.

Blanco's blind, extreme partisanship and Nagin's catering to the NO tourist trap owners cost y'all BIGTIME.

And dude, from the Kingfish through today, LA isn't exactly known for its honest politicians. Don't you think it's about time y'all did some housecleaning?

 

[rcajun90]

You are too defensive where rebuilding NO is concerned. My point is that the odds are high enough. I sure wouldn't build below sea level and trust a piece of machinery to keep the water out. One thing about machinery -- it all breaks down sooner or later.

Very true that machinery will break down. It's one reason why I hate to fly. I grew up on boats and I know that all to well. There are areas of New Orleans that shouldn't be rebuilt. However you guys don't know the geography of the area. There are about 100,000 people living in dowtown Ne w Orleans right now because it wasn't flooded. The levees protect a suburban area that doesn't have to be reinhabited. Those levees can be built better than the present system. Way too defensive? I don't think so. It really upsets me that fellow Americans are debating if we should or shouldn't rebuild. This is a freaking American city that is very important to the nation.

"btw .... Miami was hit by Andrew. Not only did the Gov of FL check the appropriate boxes with the Feds beforehand, but he he had the Guard on its way beforehand."

Blanco is a moron. Our national guard which many of I know of is in Iraq should have been called in immeditaly. I expected the looting but the sniping at rescue workers was a surprise. I expect more of people perhaps I'm naive.
As far as Andrew, it skirted Miami and it hit here in Louisiana. I remeber it well. Some folks in Flordia are still living in those FEMA trailers. The thing that drives me nuts is people are pondering if New Orleans should be rebuilt and my point is shit happens. Should we evacuate Florida because almost every hurricane strikes there? As far as I know Florida is above sea level but that doesn't protect it from flooding. The entire Gulf Coast is just slightly above sea level. A storm surge will cost flooding.

I'm not talking to the fact that hurricanes strike. Of course they do, and will. I'm talking to the fact that state and local officials who are prepared aren't sucking wind pointing fingers everywhere when the shit hits the fan.

"No doubt that our state government caused things to become worse. I like Nagin and he was elected as a reformer. I'm white and I like him because he was a take charge guy. Only when he started cursing did things get done."

Blanco's blind, extreme partisanship and Nagin's catering to the NO tourist trap owners cost y'all BIGTIME.

And dude, from the Kingfish through today, LA isn't exactly known for its honest politicians. Don't you think it's about time y'all did some housecleaning?

" Hey we reap what we sew. We were the Banana Republic of the U.S. Yes Long through Edwards corrupt governments is a legacy of Louisiana. However, I would have busted Edwards out of jail myself to get him on things in Louisiana. Dictators have a way of doing things. Gunney you have been cautiously compassionate throughout this whole thing. Thank you for the support."

 

[Gunny]

" Hey we reap what we sew. We were the Banana Republic of the U.S. Yes Long through Edwards corrupt governments is a legacy of Louisiana. However, I would have busted Edwards out of jail myself to get him on things in Louisiana. Dictators have a way of doing things. Gunney you have been cautiously compassionate throughout this whole thing. Thank you for the support."

Damn .... I'm going to have to be more careful .......