Over a year ago a horrifying event referred to as Katrina wrecked havoc on somewhere I once called home. Hurricanes were not uncommon in the fall, hurricane season, and we had hurricane parties every time the wind blew to make light of it. While everyone who had even heard of New Orleans knew that one day there was going to be a hurricane big enough to rain hell on a city 500 miles under sea level, surrounded by weak levees and covered in canals and bayous Katrina was still a horrible shock. Even though the United States is the most industrialized nation in the world New Orleans today still suffers from the ravages of Katrina. Thousands whose homes, businesses, and lives were destroyed left the city as there was not nearly enough (or any) money or aid to rebuild. Thousands stayed because there was nowhere else to go or because leaving New Orleans was worse than staying. There was no contingency plan.
This is good:
-The U.S. Maritime Administration has given final approval to a $1 billion liquefied natural gas port proposed by McMoRan Exploration Co. of New Orleans. This will help bring MUCH needed cash to what was once a vibrant city.
-The SAINTS are in the PLAYOFFS. They’re quite the Hollywood story right now, cross your fingers for them.
This is bad:
-There have been over 17 murders in the city of New Orleans already. That’s more than days in this year. Yes, I am aware New Orleans was never the safest of cities but this is beyond belief.
-Curfew is a possibility for the city…Carnival starts soon…a curfew in the city will deter tourists from coming. Tourists bring money. Money helps the economy. The New Orleans economy has been shot to hell.
-People have never been buried underground as being under sea level would float bodies away. There are crypts, with bronze/brass urns for flowers and such. Thieves have been stealing the urns. Who steals from the dead?
-Antoine’s, one of the oldest restaurants in the city, is in danger of closing. Its about five floors or so, fancy as can be, fabulous food and been around since the mid 1800s, people have weddings and celebrations there all the time. And now it might close. Because there is nobody left in the city anymore. And anyone who is there can’t afford it.
Notice how the bad outweighs the good? Got $5? Good. Do me a favor. Go to http://www.bushclintonkatrinafund.org/ and help give people something to go home to.
