>I appreciate the comments, but step back and look at the enormity of the situation. No plan would have been sufficient. In time there will be help, but you cannot expect the federal government to be anywhere instantly. It just is not going to happen. Could you imagine being the person who wanted funding to cover a plan that would take care of this prior to the hurricane. You know as well as I that funds are not around that would have even come close to handling this situation or to possible cover all situations that would ever hit the US. Lets be realistic about expectations before we start blaming anyone. It just does no good at all.
>
>You want to talk about something, why don't you talk about the pros and cons of rebuilding a city that is in a location that makes it vulnerable to disasters like this.

< rant >

I have been in NOLA a few times. I'd go visit anytime, but live or invest in property where you have a lake and a river 6 Ft over your head and only stopped by a levee? Built by the Corps of Engineers that had their funding cut by this Administration? Have to be crazy. If you'd ask me, I wouldn't rebuild. But that is their decision and they will rebuild.

Anyway, it is not the time to talk about rebuilding. As I said, the Feds are not prepared. Even though the President today said so, he, and Congress are as responsible as anybody if not more. Not only for cutting funding but by not predicting worst case scenarios.


>Could you imagine being the person who wanted funding to cover a plan that would take care of this prior to the hurricane. You know as well as I that funds are not around that would have even come close to handling this situation or to possible cover all situations that would ever hit the US.


The money and the troops are in Iraq. They should be here. We are "nation building" in Iraq, giving them billions. When FEMA takes over the building and insurance issues, they will offer them low-interest loans at maybe 2%. Loans? We should give them the free money we give Iraqis. We should do "nation building" in the Gulf Coast.

The President was in San Diego watching a game and playing with a guitar as reported in the media. At the same time there were people dying being shown in the news. It took him two days to "cut short his vacation" and three to visit the place today. Sounds like "My Pet Goat" all over again. The Pentagon is good at playing war games and planning worst case scenarios. Where is this one?

Congress is also to blame. The President asked Congress to go into session to approve a $10 billion emergency package. They are all on vacation and just today coming back. Yet when they had to vote on the Terry Schiavo issue, they met on Palm Sunday, at night, without problem!

Corporate America also should be ashamed. Many people are offering help. Red Cross is getting lots of money and oofers of volunteers from people. Yet where are the Hotels, Airlines, Cruise Ships, Oil Companies?

Carnival Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Lines have been asked to send a cruise ship to house people. They are still thinking about it. Airliners left New Orleans on Saturday. They wanted the planes out for safety. They could have filled them with people and stayed there a little longer.

Companies that GM and Ford are now hurting. So they reduced the price of their cars. Re-portedly General Motors is losing 1200 per car to regain market share. Hats off to them. You would think the Oil Companies would do a public service in this time of need and reduce their profits a tad and reduce the price of gas? But noo! They were making a very good living when oil was $30/gallon. They are making obscene profits (in the order of billions a month) at $70. Couldn't they afford a little good will and reduce prices at the pump? You may say it's not them but speculators. They are increasing the prices on futures. So Wall Street is also to blame. Greed. And the poor people suffer.
< /rant >