Charles,

Glad to see you blogging again.

I don't have anything intelligent to comment on about your blog.

Pam

It will take time but it will rebuild and the people will be stronger for it all. It reminds me so much of the flood in Rapid City, SD when my Dad was living there in the early 70's .....no where near the magnitude of destruction as in New Orleans, but over 200 people lost their lives when a wall of water came down the once small peaceful creek that ran through the city.

When the gov't came in to help with the rebuilding, they wouldn't allow people to build homes within a certain distance of the creek. In the case of New Orleans, with the area being under sea level, the only way they should be allowed to rebuild is if the govt. can guarantee that they can engineer levees that will hold back water. That's a pretty tough guarantee when they have no idea of the strength of the next hurricane to hit the area.

Sarah

I, TOO HAVE BEEN WATCHING. WATCHING SO MUCH, I FINALLY HAD TO TURN IT OFF BECAUSE IT WAS MAKING ME SICK. THIS COUNTRY HAS MORE PLANS TO DEFEND ITSELF AGAINST THE ENEMY, BUT HAS NO PLAN AGAINST THE WRATH OF MOTHER NATURE. GRANTED, THIS WAS AN UNUSUAL HURRICANE WITH MULTIPLE CATASTROPHES, BUT LOOK AT SOME OTHER CATEGORY 5 HURRICANES THAT HAVE BLASTED OTHER AREAS. I COMMEND ALL THOSE VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE TRYING UNDER THE MOST ADVERSE OF CONDITIONS TO SAVE LIVES.

MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL THE FAMILIES WHO ARE SEPARATED AND DON'T KNOW WHERE MISSING RELATIVES ARE. I KNOW IT'S MUCH WORSE THAN EVEN THE TV IS REPORTING. THANK GOD OUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVEN'T LAUNCHED INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS TO BLAME SOMEONE.

THIS WILL BE A TOPIC OF INTEREST FOR A LONG TIME TO COME. I COULD GO ON AND ON, BUT I JUST DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT IT FOR A WHILE

MARTY

For all the money we've spent on the Homeland Security Department and planning for diseasters, it's hard to believe there couldn't have been a faster response. The 'worst case scenario' for New Orleans was laid out on paper three years ago that included the levees not holding so it's not like they didn't know what could and did happen! I hope the next few days brings more organization to the three states involved.

Charles, it will be years before it really ends in my opinion.

Jean

When Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin and wiped that city out over 20 years ago the OZ government used its powers and evacuated the whole area. Then sent in troops to supervise a huge army of volunteers and only let the residents back in when there were buildings to house them and services such as water and electricity.

It must be tough to be barred from returning to your home but it was the surest way of preventing looting and further deaths. There is sense in staging an orderly return rather than letting it all just happen.

We do pray for the people of New Orleans and all the other affected areas. And for those in authority as they try to sort out the present mess and get people back to their homes. It will be a long time before the city and surrounds are back to a semblance of normal again. And some people will be better off re-building their lives else where.

Trauma seems to bring out the best in some people and the worst in others doesn't it? We have been shocked by the coverage of the looting and youth on a rampage. I guess it is excellent for the media but disheartening for those trying to keep their spirits up in difficult circumstances.

God bless all who offer help in this situation.

I read that it has been known for sometime that New Orleans could not withstand a hurricane above 3. They have asked for the money to reinforce dams, but it was not forthcoming. Too may "more important" priorities. And the authorities knew this hurricane was coming. Why wasn't there a plan built to go door to door, insist people leave, and provide transport, temp housing outside of the danger zone, food, water, etc.

I know hindsight is always better than foresight. But, the planners were definitely not on the ball. Now more life will be lost than necessary, more money will be spent, and so on. It boggles the mind.

NEW ORLEANS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PACES. IT BREAKS MY HEART ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE LOST FAMILY, FRIENDS AND MUCH OF THE BEAUTY AND HISTORIC PARTS OF THEIR CITY.

MY HEART ACHES FOR THEM.

KIM