New Orleans will never recover

[MattTheSkywalker]

The following is from CNN

Widespread looting and random gunfire have been reported across New Orleans. Police told CNN that groups of armed men roamed the streets overnight.
Officers told CNN they lacked manpower and steady communications to properly do their jobs -- and that they needed help to prevent the widespread looting and violence now prevalent in the city.

A police officer working in downtown New Orleans said police were siphoning gas from abandoned vehicles in an effort to keep their squad cars running, CNN's Lawrence reported.

The officer said police are "on their own" for food and water, scrounging up what they can from anybody who is generous enough to give them some -- and that they have no communication whatsoever. Police also told CNN they were removing ammunition from looted gunshops in an effort to get it off the streets.


New Orleans will never recover from this. The city is dead. A new one may rise up in 20 years, but it will not resemble the old.

 

[SoreArms]

fuck, that is sad. The "old" NO was a goal destination for me some day (I really wanted to go there for holloween)

 

[eat big]

Well, I had a thread on this yesterday, you should check it out.

 

[75th]

Nobody's fault but the citizens of the area.

 

[gotmilk]

If we rebuild NO, do we have to invite all the CashMoney wannabe's back?

http://www.vh1.com/shared/media/news/images/h/Hot_Boys/sq-hot-boys-99-cash-money.jpg

 

[HumorMe]

I don't think it will either.

 

[spongebob]

New Orleans will never recover from this. The city is dead. A new one may rise up in 20 years, but it will not resemble the old.

well anything is possible. they will take nots from the 1900 galveston storm. they literally pumped sand and soil in and raised the entire city by up to 10ft or so. a massive effort considering. every house was raised on stilts and the sand and soil was pumped in. that an a massive seawall now protects galveston.

but im leaning towards you being right.

 

[lardo5150]

Soooo, why not send in the army, seriously?

 

[jack sparrow]

I don't think it will either.

I second that. The damage is unrecoverable.

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

well anything is possible. they will take nots from the 1900 galveston storm. they literally pumped sand and soil in and raised the entire city by up to 10ft or so. a massive effort considering. every house was raised on stilts and the sand and soil was pumped in. that an a massive seawall now protects galveston.

but im leaning towards you being right.

There will still be something there. NO is still the mouth of the Mississippi river and still a key transit point for goods. It'll just become an industrial city and that's all.

You can't rebuld the history anyway, it would look like Disney World, and that would just be too Geigh.

I'm just glad I saw it before it ws gone. Like the twin towers.

 

[75th]

I second that. The damage is unrecoverable.

They would be able to rebuild if the fuckin ghetto retards would quit attacking those looking to help.

 

[gotmilk]

well anything is possible. they will take nots from the 1900 galveston storm. they literally pumped sand and soil in and raised the entire city by up to 10ft or so. a massive effort considering. every house was raised on stilts and the sand and soil was pumped in. that an a massive seawall now protects galveston.

but im leaning towards you being right.

The smell from Galveston Bay protects mankind....cuz no one can stand the poop smell. Hurricanes shy away from the stench

 

[Gambino]

mts, don't you think america has a history of recovery? galveston, san fran, nyc...do you think NO damage is more severe than these other instances??? Or is it the hoodlum element??

 

[lardo5150]

Serioulsy guys, why dont they bring in the f'n army to put order back and to help out?

 

[spongebob]

You can't rebuld the history anyway, it would look like Disney World, and that would just be too Geigh.

.

yea thats a sad part lost, the history.

isnt jefferson's house located in the area, alabama or somewhere. i havent heard if it was demolished.

 

[jack sparrow]

They would be able to rebuild if the fuckin ghetto retards would quit attacking those looking to help.

Rebuilding wouldn't be a repair job...everything that once stood is unrecoverable in the sense that it is completely destroyed. There is nothing to rebuild. Water damage like this can't be fixed.

As far as the ghetto-tards, they are fucking up the rescue of good folks because rescue teams/good citizens are afraid to help in fear of their lives.

Until someone lays the smack down and takes out the baddies with blunt force, N.O. has little hope.

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

mts, don't you think america has a history of recovery? galveston, san fran, nyc...do you think NO damage is more severe than these other instances??? Or is it the hoodlum element??

Damage is greater and wider than many of the others.

I know the galveston example may resonate, but that never has been and never will be much of a city. (Certainly cannot be compared to NY, NO, CHI or SF).

The area is also much poorer than any of the others you cited.

Combine those factors with an understanding that this can happen again whenever, and developers will take thier insurance money and invest elsewhere.

Add in the human factor - the footage of poor black people committing violence makes potentia donors (even governments) less likely to act to rebuild. I am sorry if this sounds offensive, but to the typical American TV viewer, there is no distinction between footage of warlords fighting in Sudan and NO "refugees". So I don't think you'll see a post 9/11 style red Cross donation.

NO will come back as a shipping city; geography guarantees that. But I don't think it will ever recover to become a "must visit" destination.

Biloxi and others in that area are deader than dead.

 

[gotmilk]

How do you rebuild in Bay St Louis and Waveland if the home owners died?

Seriously.

Do you build a house on the same spot even though the owners passed away?

Some blocks in those area have no survivors

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

Rebuilding wouldn't be a repair job...everything that once stood is unrecoverable in the sense that it is completely destroyed. There is nothing to rebuild. Water damage like this can't be fixed.

As far as the ghetto-tards, they are fucking up the rescue of good folks because rescue teams/good citizens are afraid to help in fear of their lives.

Until someone lays the smack down and takes out the baddies with blunt force, N.O. has little hope.

I am surprised there has not been a martial law declaration; curfews, National Guard etc.

There are legal provisions which preclude using the active Army for this; politically I think it looks bad even if it were to be authorized. No one is clamoring for it.

I suspect (though no one will say this) that there is no martial law because the logistics for supporting that sort of operation cannot be established. (food, water etc for the troops).

 

[curling]

Damage is greater and wider than many of the others.

I know the galveston example may resonate, but that never has been and never will be much of a city. (Certainly cannot be compared to NY, NO, CHI or SF).

The area is also much poorer than any of the others you cited.

Combine those factors with an understanding that this can happen again whenever, and developers will take thier insurance money and invest elsewhere.

Add in the human factor - the footage of poor black people committing violence makes potentia donors (even governments) less likely to act to rebuild. I am sorry if this sounds offensive, but to the typical American TV viewer, there is no distinction between footage of warlords fighting in Sudan and NO "refugees". So I don't think you'll see a post 9/11 style red Cross donation.

NO will come back as a shipping city; geography guarantees that. But I don't think it will ever recover to become a "must visit" destination.

Biloxi and others in that area are deader than dead.

Good post matt. Very good and true I am afraid.

 

[jack sparrow]

I am surprised there has not been a martial law declaration; curfews, National Guard etc.

There are legal provisions which preclude using the active Army for this; politically I think it looks bad even if it were to be authorized. No one is clamoring for it.

I suspect (though no one will say this) that there is no martial law because the logistics for supporting that sort of operation cannot be established. (food, water etc for the troops).

Agreed. Even if they could establish a supply line, the Coast Guard/Army would have to patrol in boats thereby becoming sitting ducks for the baddies.

If martial law were to be set in place, it would require at least some form of Naval air support.

 

[thelion2005]

Soooo, why not send in the army, seriously?

And the other services also. I'm ranting a bit...but why have our troopers in Japan, Germany and Iraq when the citizens of our country need them?

Invade New Orleans! Capture all the citizens, feed and bath them, give them medical treatment and evac them out to safe ground.

Anyone fires at you, return it from a battle ship sitting out in the Gulf.

 

[eat big]

It should be viewed as reconstruction, not restoration.

This was a common misconception of the South after the Civil War.

 

[75th]

If martial law were to be set in place, it would require at least some form of Naval air support.

Which is a big no-no. Posse Comitatus.

 

[HumorMe]

And the other services also. I'm ranting a bit...but why have our troopers in Japan, Germany and Iraq when the citizens of our country need them?

Invade New Orleans! Capture all the citizens, feed and bath them, give them medical treatment and evac them out to safe ground.

Anyone fires at you, return it from a battle ship sitting out in the Gulf.

The sad thing is that some of these people have been relocated to Baton Rouge and are already started causing difficulties there.

There are kind of ganging up and roaming the streets there. Not looking good for Baton Rouge. Lord knows what will happen in Houston.

 

[Lestat]

bush needs to call in the troops

 

[spongebob]

what im talking about doing as far as the military getting involved is air dropping supplies to people. you dont need no authorization to do that. they need food and water.

 

[jack sparrow]

This is not a Mom and Pop neighborhood like many would like to believe...the majority of what was destroyed belonged to those earning low wages and/or were unemployed.

I feel for the peeps who have less than nothing right now more then I'm worried about a city known only for tits and beeds to regain its status as such.

jacks .02

 

[jnevin]

There will still be something there. NO is still the mouth of the Mississippi river and still a key transit point for goods. It'll just become an industrial city and that's all.

You can't rebuld the history anyway, it would look like Disney World, and that would just be too Geigh.

I'm just glad I saw it before it ws gone. Like the twin towers.

I was talking to my brother about this today. It's amazing some of the things we've seen in our lives.

 

[hanselthecaretaker]

There will still be something there. NO is still the mouth of the Mississippi river and still a key transit point for goods. It'll just become an industrial city and that's all.

You can't rebuld the history anyway, it would look like Disney World, and that would just be too Geigh.

I'm just glad I saw it before it ws gone. Like the twin towers.

No more Mardi Gras

 

[gotmilk]

what im talking about doing as far as the military getting involved is air dropping supplies to people. you dont need no authorization to do that. they need food and water.

How about parachuting in troops too? There are large land masses that are flood free. Perfect training exercise but with the urgent need too..

 

[Spartacus]

This is not a Mom and Pop neighborhood like many would like to believe...the majority of what was destroyed belonged to those earning low wages and/or were unemployed.

I feel for the peeps who have less than nothing right now more then I'm worried about a city known only for tits and beeds to regain its status as such.

jacks .02

I agree
big fucking deal about looting walmart

 

[eat big]

I agree
big fucking deal about looting walmart

Yeah, plus Walmart is one of the, if not the largest corporation in America!

 

[jnevin]

Yeah, plus Walmart is one of the, if not the largest corporation in America!

world

 

[Mr. dB]

I think this gloom and doom talk is a bit premature. That city may be more resilient than it now appears, in a few months when the 75% of the population who evacuated are able to return and start rebuilding their lives.

Probably any major metropolitan area would show a similar reversion to animalistic behavior when disaster strips away the thin veneer of civilization and only the poorest and most ignorant are left behind. New Orleans is not special in that regard.

I agree though that developers will blanch at rebuilding some areas. When I see the sea of rooftops poking through the water on TV, I wonder how many of those structures will still be viable when the waters subside? I bet they end up having to bulldoze whole neighborhoods.

 

[XBiker]

IMO, the government's response to this catastrophy has been nothing short of pathetic.

Then again when the citizens of the affected area are looting and destroying their own neighborhood, they aren't helping much either...

 

[jackangel]

how widespread is the looting?

from what your describing, it sounds like a post-apocalyptic world
of little technology and much savagery. like something stephen
king might write about.

 

[akita27]

This was bound to happen when you build a city that is below sea level!

 

[HumorMe]

how widespread is the looting?

from what your describing, it sounds like a post-apocalyptic world
of little technology and much savagery. like something stephen
king might write about.

Even the cops are looting as witnessed on TV last night.

Armed gangs are the ruling class now.

 

[akita27]

Even the cops are looting as witnessed on TV last night.

Armed gangs are the ruling class now.

This is just the true nature of the ghetto blacks emerging. I don't think anyone is suprised. This will become another Somalia.

 

[gjohnson5]

The following is from CNN

Widespread looting and random gunfire have been reported across New Orleans. Police told CNN that groups of armed men roamed the streets overnight.
Officers told CNN they lacked manpower and steady communications to properly do their jobs -- and that they needed help to prevent the widespread looting and violence now prevalent in the city.

A police officer working in downtown New Orleans said police were siphoning gas from abandoned vehicles in an effort to keep their squad cars running, CNN's Lawrence reported.

The officer said police are "on their own" for food and water, scrounging up what they can from anybody who is generous enough to give them some -- and that they have no communication whatsoever. Police also told CNN they were removing ammunition from looted gunshops in an effort to get it off the streets.


New Orleans will never recover from this. The city is dead. A new one may rise up in 20 years, but it will not resemble the old.

Relax Matt... You show your youth on this post. I am in contact with my peoples in New Orleans as I type this. The city will be back on it's feet and these groups of armed gunman will be handled

 

[gjohnson5]

Now that I have your attention...
People are in desparate need. The okie's will be put down. Law enforcement will catch them sooner or later. From what I understand martial law is in place and NO should be allowing residents in by Monday. I will be going in there and I will have alot to say.

 

[75th]

Now that I have your attention...
People are in desparate need. The okie's will be put down. Law enforcement will catch them sooner or later. From what I understand martial law is in place and NO should be allowing residents in by Monday. I will be going in there and I will have alot to say.

Believe it or not, in a case such as this with an impending health epidemic, sooner is a lot different than later. Maybe your peoples might know that as well.

 

[SoKlueles]

Why cant EVERY disaster that happens in the US be chalked down as just disaster???
blame bin laden for 9/11
blame nature for the hurricanes
I mean it never fails.....it ALWAYS becomes political.

 

[John C Calhoun]

I think New Orleans will recover and prosper over time. The tenemants will be razed and a smart developer will put up nice homes, condos, etc. replacing all the ghettos. Don't know how many of you have been to NO lately, but there are parts of it that are absolutely awful and not safe. The leveys will be made stronger and if another hurricane is coming the city will evacuate. Flood insurance will cover the damages just like other coastal communities that are often hit. I suspect the 200,000 or so New Orleans refugees that live in the ghettos will stay wherever they wind up - Baton Rouge, TX, etc. because they will not be able to afford to come back.

 

[Spartacus]

Relax Matt... You show your youth on this post. I am in contact with my peoples in New Orleans as I type this. The city will be back on it's feet and these groups of armed gunman will be handled

I agree
NO will recover/be rebuilt/reconstited/etc

 

[gjohnson5]

I think New Orleans will recover and prosper over time. The tenemants will be razed and a smart developer will put up nice homes, condos, etc. replacing all the ghettos. Don't know how many of you have been to NO lately, but there are parts of it that are absolutely awful and not safe. The leveys will be made stronger and if another hurricane is coming the city will evacuate. Flood insurance will cover the damages just like other coastal communities that are often hit. I suspect the 200,000 or so New Orleans refugees that live in the ghettos will stay wherever they wind up - Baton Rouge, TX, etc. because they will not be able to afford to come back.

Well the main problem is the levees. The town will need to be redesigned in whatever manner we have at our technological disposal. The sinking will need to be addressed. Maybe the atchafalya will need to be slowed in some manner to allow sediment to be dropped in areas around town like mini levees. As we can see a steel reinforced concrete wall about 2 feet wide just isn't good enough for a CAT 5 Hurricane. Multiple points of "pressure release" are needed How the army corps of engineers is going to do this , I have no idea , but there is martial law in New orleans as we speak and the gunmen need to be killed

 

[ChefWide]

a more than difficult call, but SHOULD they rebuild it? what comes with the next catastrophe? its A FRIGGIN SOUP BOWL!

It will never be the city we knew, who can even guage the cost of reconstructing it?

 

[Spartacus]

Yeah, plus Walmart is one of the, if not the largest corporation in America!

and unlike "mom and pop pawn shop" walmart failed to evacuate it's weaponry when they closed the doors
imo very irresponsible

 

[velvett]

Why cant EVERY disaster that happens in the US be chalked down as just disaster???
blame bin laden for 9/11
blame nature for the hurricanes
I mean it never fails.....it ALWAYS becomes political.

I think it's safe to say it's an act of God as most natural disasters. The problem with natural disasters (Acts of God) is that humans are invloved as well as their actions and reactions to such disaster and that is were all sorts of additional problems are spawn.

 

[HumorMe]

I think it's safe to say it's an act of God as most natural disasters. The problem with natural disasters (Acts of God) is that humans are invloved as well as their actions and reactions to such disaster and that is were all sorts of additional problems are spawn.

I wonder if atheists get offended by labeling things "acts of God"?

 

[jackangel]

atheists are most offended by stupidity, i would guess

 

[Spartacus]

hey loss of life was comparitively low measured against other recent natural disasters in other locals
loss of plasma widescreen TVS set new highs
I don't recall any reports of hoisted HDTVs in Indonesia after mr tsunami

 

[Mr. dB]

Why cant EVERY disaster that happens in the US be chalked down as just disaster???
blame bin laden for 9/11
blame nature for the hurricanes
I mean it never fails.....it ALWAYS becomes political.

Uh, 9/11 wasn't a natural disaster, and it certainly wasn't an accident. It was inherently political in nature.

 

[EnderJE]

Uh, 9/11 wasn't a natural disaster, and it certainly wasn't an accident. It was inherently political in nature.

What are you talking about? 9/11 was caused by a bitching tailwind!

 

[SoKlueles]

Uh, 9/11 wasn't a natural disaster, and it certainly wasn't an accident. It was inherently political in nature.

i didnt say 9/11 was a natural disaster
i said it was a disaster and it should be blamed on bin laden

 

[spongebob]

Now that I have your attention...
People are in desparate need. The okie's will be put down. Law enforcement will catch them sooner or later. From what I understand martial law is in place and NO should be allowing residents in by Monday. I will be going in there and I will have alot to say.

keep us posted dude.

 

[spongebob]

Well the main problem is the levees. The town will need to be redesigned in whatever manner we have at our technological disposal. The sinking will need to be addressed. Maybe the atchafalya will need to be slowed in some manner to allow sediment to be dropped in areas around town like mini levees. As we can see a steel reinforced concrete wall about 2 feet wide just isn't good enough for a CAT 5 Hurricane. Multiple points of "pressure release" are needed How the army corps of engineers is going to do this , I have no idea , but there is martial law in New orleans as we speak and the gunmen need to be killed

damn, lol.

 

[Mr. dB]

atheists are most offended by stupidity, i would guess

 

[Spartacus]

This is just the true nature of the ghetto blacks emerging. I don't think anyone is suprised. This will become another Somalia.

there's plenty of published literature out there from throughout history that details the degeneration of the so-called "upper class" into barbarism under "circumstances"
so there I am joe white blow in best buy,new orleans 2005
the place is being ransacked
what's the difference between me and them soon?

well I would make my selection from the available inventory that best matches my system's current needs and then weigh the recent reviews in "sound and vision" magazine so as to best getaway with a component of maximum value

 

[gotmilk]

and unlike "mom and pop pawn shop" walmart failed to evacuate it's weaponry when they closed the doors
imo very irresponsible

Rosie O'Donnell will be screaming!

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

gjohnson5,

I hope you're right that the city comes back. My friends there are not as optimistic, I guess time will tell.

 

[velvett]

I wonder if atheists get offended by labeling things "acts of God"?

They should be in theory.
I guess it could be an act of science.

 

[HumorMe]

there's plenty of published literature out there from throughout history that details the degeneration of the so-called "upper class" into barbarism under "circumstances"
so there I am joe white blow in best buy,new orleans 2005
the place is being ransacked
what's the difference between me and them soon?

well I would make my selection from the available inventory that best matches my system's current needs and then weigh the recent reviews in "sound and vision" magazine so as to best getaway with a component of maximum value

 

[samoth]

I feel bad for all the kids from Tulane, but many other uni's are stepping up to the plate to help: Rice, Emory, Texas A&M, PSU, GA Tech, William & Mary, and even UPenn have all begun accepting students and even making room for housing.

 

[Dial_tone]

The following is from CNN

Widespread looting and random gunfire have been reported across New Orleans. Police told CNN that groups of armed men roamed the streets overnight.
Officers told CNN they lacked manpower and steady communications to properly do their jobs -- and that they needed help to prevent the widespread looting and violence now prevalent in the city.

A police officer working in downtown New Orleans said police were siphoning gas from abandoned vehicles in an effort to keep their squad cars running, CNN's Lawrence reported.

The officer said police are "on their own" for food and water, scrounging up what they can from anybody who is generous enough to give them some -- and that they have no communication whatsoever. Police also told CNN they were removing ammunition from looted gunshops in an effort to get it off the streets.


New Orleans will never recover from this. The city is dead. A new one may rise up in 20 years, but it will not resemble the old.

I cannot help but question the logic of building such a large city below sea level, but it has too much history for people not to try whether logic dictates or not. I do predict some longterm opportunities in N.O. real estate....now Biloxi is fucked.

 

[gjohnson5]

I cannot help but question the logic of building such a large city below sea level, but it has too much history for people not to try whether logic dictates or not. I do predict some longterm opportunities in N.O. real estate....now Biloxi is fucked.

DT I'm not sure if the area during the battle of Ne orleans was at that time below sea level
The damning of the Mississippi and the creating of the atchafalaya river have made the area sink.

 

[gjohnson5]

damn, lol.

Well I need to speak the truth. If ward hoods are going to stifle progress then they need to be shot... Period. There are people who are floating in the streets dead. The graves in new orleans are above ground and I'm sure the previously decesed are floating around mid city as well.

A shame but this has to be dealt with in Samuel L Jackon fashion

 

[HiDnGoD]

I feel bad for all the kids from Tulane, but many other uni's are stepping up to the plate to help: Rice, Emory, Texas A&M, PSU, GA Tech, William & Mary, and even UPenn have all begun accepting students and even making room for housing.

That's awesome. A little bit of good news for once.

 

[samoth]

That's awesome. A little bit of good news for once.

Rice, Emory and the like are unfortunetly to small to help out significantly. Texas A&M's really stepped up...

Texas A&M President Robert M. Gates issued the following announcement Thursday regarding the university’s efforts to assist students — here and at colleges and universities directly affected by Hurricane Katrina — and their families:


We are announcing today (see statement below) that Texas A&M, including the Galveston campus, will accept up to 1,000 students for as long as one year from universities and colleges unable to offer classes this fall due to Hurricane Katrina. This is a significantly higher number of students than any other university has offered to take in (as far as we are aware), but entirely in keeping with our culture, our traditions and our Spirit. We also have offered to provide – to the extent we can -- a temporary home for faculty to continue their research while their own campuses are unavailable. We are, again as far as we know, the only university to extend the offer of assistance to all colleges and universities affected by the tragedy. The statement includes a number of other actions we have taken and are taking. I am confident that other initiatives, likely thought up by students, faculty and/or staff, will be forthcoming.


I know that the Aggie family will respond with warmth, sympathy and support to those displaced by this disaster. A significant number of students from the affected states would clearly have an impact on class sizes and more, but I am confident that faculty and students will make the best of the situation in order to help our neighbors.


Also, I request that all faculty and staff be especially sensitive to the feelings and emotional state of students who are directly affected by this tragedy—certainly including those who have lost family members or else do not know the fate of some of them, in addition to having significant property losses in some cases.


Significant help to friends and neighbors in trouble is what Aggies do best.



Robert M. Gates

 

[redguru]

PSU is helping too? Gonna be a lot of strange accents in University Park this semester. Its a damn good thing that everyone is pitching in. I hope similar things are happening with primary and secondary education as well.

 

[toga22]

Well the main problem is the levees. The town will need to be redesigned in whatever manner we have at our technological disposal. The sinking will need to be addressed.

That is a massive undertaking...Not only does the problem of the levees need to be addressed, but also would the idea of raising the entire area and incorporating some sort of underground, almost "support" system.
But due to the levee failures, do you think that if people rebuild, they will ever get insurance? And do you think that probable investors may shy away from this potential risk?

 

[gjohnson5]

a more than difficult call, but SHOULD they rebuild it? what comes with the next catastrophe? its A FRIGGIN SOUP BOWL!

It will never be the city we knew, who can even guage the cost of reconstructing it?

The city is a port city.. This means that supplies , gas , coal and what not are carried by ship to to places like St Louis. it MUST be rebuild just on that fact. All port towns face this risk not to mention the port town at the mouth of the third largest drainage system in the World , NO

They hadn't been hit with a serious hurricane in 100 years and now all of a sudden there's all this talk... Should the town be rebuilt. Yes and so should everyones homes.

 

[samoth]

PSU is helping too? Gonna be a lot of strange accents in University Park this semester. Its a damn good thing that everyone is pitching in. I hope similar things are happening with primary and secondary education as well.

Children Of Hurricane Refugees May Enroll In Texas Schools


Gov. Rick Perry announced Wednesday that Texas school districts will enroll children of Hurricane Katrina refugees sheltered within each district.

Perry made the announcement during a ceremonial signing of an eminent-domain bill passed during the recent Legislature.

Perry and Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco agreed Wednesday to a plan that would move at least 25,000 Hurricane Katrina refugees from New Orleans to Houston.

Most of the refugees are sweltering in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.

The plan calls for them to be moved to Houston's Astrodome, where they would be sheltered temporarily until better accommodations can be found.

.“In the face of such tragic circumstances, we all have to pull together so these families have as much normalcy as possible during these difficult times,” Perry said.

Perry said the Texas Education Agency has been directed to provide all needed support for districts having to absorb the additional children from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

He said Texas wants to do all it can to comfort children who have "almost overnight been uprooted from their daily routines."

The TEA said the refugee children can qualify as "homeless" and may enroll without proof of residence.

“I want stranded families to know the doors of Texas’ public schools are immediately open to your school-aged children,” Perry said.

“I also want school leaders to know that we realize this will put a strain on their capacity, so I have asked the Texas Education Agency to work them to make sure they have the textbooks they need, funding for transportation and the free-and-reduced lunch program and class size waivers as needed.”

 

[redguru]

I've noticed that TX is really opening its doors to the LA victims. Kudos go specifically to that State.

 

[tiger88]

the looting cant be this bad in Fl when the weather hits there? cant be as bad

 

[gjohnson5]

There are FAR too man comparisons to Florida and New Orleans... New Orleans is a city and Florida is a state. A very long state that is above sea level.

 

[75th]

There are FAR too man comparisons to Florida and New Orleans... New Orleans is a city and Florida is a state. A very long state that is above sea level.

Thanks for pointing out the obvious, Magellan.

 

[fitnessfanaticmom]

Serioulsy guys, why dont they bring in the f'n army to put order back and to help out?

In my opinon they seem to be quite busy in other countries


www.devoted-to-weight-lifting.com

 

[HumorMe]

Thanks for pointing out the obvious, Magellan.

lol

 

[wutangnomo]

The city is a port city.. This means that supplies , gas , coal and what not are carried by ship to to places like St Louis. it MUST be rebuild just on that fact. All port towns face this risk not to mention the port town at the mouth of the third largest drainage system in the World , NO

They hadn't been hit with a serious hurricane in 100 years and now all of a sudden there's all this talk... Should the town be rebuilt. Yes and so should everyones homes.

Agreed. But lets face it, many middle class people will relocate for good once able. The history and charisma of NO cannot be recaptured. All lower class people will remain because, well, they simply can't afford to relocate. NO will go further into the dumps as a result.

Of course the city will be rebuilt to some degree, but I agree with previously mentioned assertions that it will be largely industrial. Industrial and LOTS more ghettos.

Every year during hurricane season nobody will want to have to go through this again (very much so a possibility every year). Being below sea level many people won't take that chance.

 

[Subzeero]

i don't know what people see and understand but i strongly believe that for a country like the US of A, somewhere someone has terribly fucked up in dealing with this catastrophe.

Let a pathetic thug shoot at an armoured vehicle with his pathetic pistol and watch how he/she is blown into shreds. I don't understand why the army isn't strongly involved! Claims that the army needs food are simply ridiculous.

National gaurd should have been much better prepared for this situation. What are they doing jerking off! what is the point of having a national gaurd?

It is honestly annoying and evident of incompetent American leadership at this time.

 

[redguru]

i don't know what people see and understand but i strongly believe that for a country like the US of A, somewhere someone has terribly fucked up in dealing with this catastrophe.

Let a pathetic thug shoot at an armoured vehicle with his pathetic pistol and watch how he/she is blown into shreds. I don't understand why the army isn't strongly involved! Claims that the army needs food are simply ridiculous.

National gaurd should have been much better prepared for this situation. What are they doing jerking off! what is the point of having a national gaurd?

It is honestly annoying and evident of incompetent American leadership at this time.

You cannot use regular army in this situation without a formal request from the Governor of Louisiana and declaration of Martial Law, Posse Commitatus frowns on US Troops acting in such a manner. Guardsmen can, because they are under the Governor's control. Logistics takes time, you have to move in the assets and supplies to support them. You can't do it before hand because of the sheer size of the storm. Baton Rouge is the closest available airport, that's where all the C5A's are landing, seeing how the AFB in Biloxi is no longer there or the Naval Air Station in NO for that matter. The LHD and the Hospital ship coming from Norfolk can only travel 20kts. thats only about 500 miles a day. And a ship can't drive down I-95.

 

[Razorguns]

Is there really a difference between National Guard and Army? They both have tanks, helicopters and machine guns? Seems like semantics to me. Both can easily shoot and kill americans.

 

[redguru]

Is there really a difference between National Guard and Army? They both have tanks, helicopters and machine guns? Seems like semantics to me. Both can easily shoot and kill americans.

The governors of the several states control the National Guard. The US Army is under federal control.

 

[Breeze]

Serioulsy guys, why dont they bring in the f'n army to put order back and to help out?

I saw a report on Fox news about some Navy SEAL teams being sent to NO to do rescue operations. Naturally, they will also be armed, maybe some of the looters will make the mistake of challenging them. That is probably the real reason they are going, to get rid of some of the rats that infest the city. As far as deploying the military and guard units, are there any left that haven't been sent to the Middle East? The Marines that cleaned up Fallujah would take control of things pretty quick, but the military should be used only as an absolute last resort. As much as the looters need to have their asses handed to them, there is a reason why we don't turn the military loose on our own people (including looters), that is a sign of a dictatorship. The National Guard, if they are in the US, should go in. Maybe those fucktards will kill each other in the next few days so everyone else can have less to worry about.

 

[HiDnGoD]

PSU is helping too? Gonna be a lot of strange accents in University Park this semester. Its a damn good thing that everyone is pitching in. I hope similar things are happening with primary and secondary education as well.

That would probably be more difficult as these students still live at home & whole families are affected.

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

That is a massive undertaking...Not only does the problem of the levees need to be addressed, but also would the idea of raising the entire area and incorporating some sort of underground, almost "support" system.

I think the better bet is to address comprehensively the levee issue. It is easier to deal with preventing floods and draining water than to raise an entire city, right? (I am guessing here but it seems to make sense...)

But due to the levee failures, do you think that if people rebuild, they will ever get insurance? And do you think that probable investors may shy away from this potential risk?

There is a federal flood insurance program that provides insurance for high risk flood areas (much of FL, etc). This program covers the first $250,000 in flood damage. By retaining that risk, the government makes it possible for private insurance to provide coverage at workable rates above and beyond that $250K. (Think of it as having a really high deductible to lower your payments, only you don't have to pay the deductible).

From an investing standpoint, what usually happens post-crisis is wealthy individuals and private equity corporations unveil insurance products to serve the new higher rate market. (This happened post 9/11; several bermuda based insurers came into existence). Since existing insurance companies have no choice but to raise rates, these new entities enter the market at lower (but still high) rates, and the new entities have no exisitng liabilities.

So, yes, there will be insurance, and as long as there is insurance, there will be potential investors. But I don't think people will have the desire to live in NO, so the demand will never meet the supply....which is why I say the city may never recover.

 

[Vicious cycle]

New Orleans will never recover

Agreed.

 

[manny78]

No martial law ? Seriously ? What does it take ? Nuclear bomb ? Gangs of green goblins invading earth ? I'm sorry but it's pathetic.

 

[Mandinka2]

I think the better bet is to address comprehensively the levee issue. It is easier to deal with preventing floods and draining water than to raise an entire city, right? (I am guessing here but it seems to make sense...)

Yes , raising a city is perhaps beyond even the US's ability .... especially considering global warming.

There is a federal flood insurance program that provides insurance for high risk flood areas (much of FL, etc). This program covers the first $250,000 in flood damage. By retaining that risk, the government makes it possible for private insurance to provide coverage at workable rates above and beyond that $250K. (Think of it as having a really high deductible to lower your payments, only you don't have to pay the deductible).

From an investing standpoint, what usually happens post-crisis is wealthy individuals and private equity corporations unveil insurance products to serve the new higher rate market. (This happened post 9/11; several bermuda based insurers came into existence). Since existing insurance companies have no choice but to raise rates, these new entities enter the market at lower (but still high) rates, and the new entities have no exisitng liabilities.

From my understanding many of the Bermuda based reinsurers are in trouble over this , XL Re , Partner Re etc. are all nat cat specialists but are of nothing like the size of Munich Re or Swiss Re.... interesting times ahead for the industry.... consider as well that this is only the START of the hurricane season .... you will see very big rate hikes in the near future I believe.

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

Yes , raising a city is perhaps beyond even the US's ability .... especially considering global warming.


From my understanding many of the Bermuda based reinsurers are in trouble over this , XL Re , Partner Re etc. are all nat cat specialists but are of nothing like the size of Munich Re or Swiss Re.... interesting times ahead for the industry.... consider as well that this is only the START of the hurricane season .... you will see very big rate hikes in the near future I believe.

You and your insurance talk. We almost got an office in the Swiss RE building in London (the gherkin) but instead are setting up a few desks on the floor at Lloyd's.

I agree, it is an interesting time; good opportunities for institutional investors. I think the transactions that got the Bermuda guys in trouble were "finite risk" transactions...purely "balance sheet smoothers" without any real risk transfer. Are you going to the 19th Reinsurance Congress (in Bermuda) by chance?

Hope things are well.

 

[FreeballinDC]

I think the better bet is to address comprehensively the levee issue. It is easier to deal with preventing floods and draining water than to raise an entire city, right? (I am guessing here but it seems to make sense...)

I heard a report on the radio this morning that engineers from the Netherlands have volunteered their services to show American engineers how to build dykes instead of levees for NO.

Also, has anyone heard from rnch?

 

[gotmilk]

The governors of the several states control the National Guard. The US Army is under federal control.

Governors do not control the National Guard. They have the ability to call on the National Guard.

My dad's Engineering Unit returned from Iraq not long ago and now have orders to head South for 6 weeks. Probably will be a few weeks before they actually leave because all their equipment is still in Iraq

 

[Mandinka2]

You and your insurance talk. We almost got an office in the Swiss RE building in London (the gherkin) but instead are setting up a few desks on the floor at Lloyd's.

I agree, it is an interesting time; good opportunities for institutional investors. I think the transactions that got the Bermuda guys in trouble were "finite risk" transactions...purely "balance sheet smoothers" without any real risk transfer. Are you going to the 19th Reinsurance Congress (in Bermuda) by chance?

Hope things are well.

That's a real nice building - the Gherkin , I havent been to the Lloyd's building in a few years - it used to be owned by the Deba fund I remember.

My understanding is that much of the industry is in trouble over Finite re and fin re deals .... it is currently the largest single project in my employer here - something like $30m a year. General Re are the worst affected I believe but don't tell Mr. Buffet.

No chance for me in Bermuda this year i fear , i was there two years ago in the Southampton hotel for a week (actuarial conference) and swore I'd never go back - all the money in the world but you're still in the middle of nowhere. I'll catch up with you in London one day I'm sure.

EDIT: You never told me what sort of business you're covering in London... would be curious to know...

Ps. Things with me are as ever frenetic but I'm pretending that I'm ignoring it.

 

[redguru]

Governors do not control the National Guard. They have the ability to call on the National Guard.

My dad's Engineering Unit returned from Iraq not long ago and now have orders to head South for 6 weeks. Probably will be a few weeks before they actually leave because all their equipment is still in Iraq

That's what I meant, they can call upon the guard in situations such as these.

 

[SC4EVA]

Some points from me
1. Most people dont seem to have this flood insurance everyone speaks of
2. I think most people who were too poor to leave and were shipped to other states are going to stay where they were taken
3. From a co-workers brother who is a cop in NO (who left b/c he wanted to guard the families house in garden district) - it appears as though the "famous" areas, bourbon st, garden district, etc were not really hit as hard and was mostly redisential areas.

Upset never got to go - 2 weeks ago was debated Halloween there!

 

[toga22]

So, yes, there will be insurance, and as long as there is insurance, there will be potential investors. But I don't think people will have the desire to live in NO, so the demand will never meet the supply....which is why I say the city may never recover.

Thanks for the explaination Matt!!

And unforunately, I do agree with you.. It will be very interesting to see what develops over the next few months.

 

[rsnoble-im-back]

this was my prediction even before Katrina hit. As many others im sure.

 

[toga22]

this was my prediction even before Katrina hit. As many others im sure.

Prediction, meaning for the fate of New Orleans? Unfortunately, NO is a city I have only spent a couple day in on business, and really didn't seem much outside of quick tourists attractions and the company I was there on business for.