Does New Orleans need “heroic local leadership” for its “renewal, rebirth and redemption” as Donald Powell, the federal coordinator for GulfCoast rebuilding said Friday at a luncheon in New Orleans, or does it need a federal government and a Gulf Coast Coordinator which understands misery.
The comments by Powell can only be taken as a slap at Governor Kathleen Blanco and Mayor C. Ray Nagin and the people of the area who have been trying to rebuild their lives despite a incompetent Presidential Administration and his own federal coordinator who have created more hurdles than bridges to aid citizens of America in their efforts to climb the road to recovery.
According to the Times Picayune, Powell also said, "Federal resources can rebuild a house, but they can't rebuild a home".
Which is an interesting comment coming from the GulfCoast coordinator when referring to a city facing its second anniversary of Katrina when it is patently clear that the President of the United States George Bush has been more interested fixing a country he destroyed rather repairing a city that was swallowed by the breaking of federal levees.Certainly, Powell remembers those federal levees since he admitted the federal failure in a U.S. Senate hearing a few months ago.
The stories are now legion that the federal response was so inadequate that it made it virtually impossible for the city to get back on its feet without the heroics of local citizens and yes, leaders.
To rebuild New Orleans, the entire world including George Bush said the city and the state needed a plan.
However, the state, only months after Katrina occurred, was forced to reimburse FEMA, was forced to cut its budget by over one billion dollars in an emergency session called by Governor Blanco and was forced to accept far less money for building its homes than neighboring Mississippi whose Governor was the former head of the GOP National Party and whose Senate leadership was in the same party of the President.
Added to the misery was the incredible fact that New Orleans in trying to devise a plan to fix the city when it could not muster enough money to pay for a plan.In fact, private citizens had to obtain private funding from foundations so it could begin to start the neighborhood rebuilding.
When Powell talks about rebuilding a home, one must question how often did he ask President Bush why the President failed to even mention Katrina during the second State of the Union Speech post-Katrina and only mentioned it for a few sentences months after the Hurricane event during State of the Union I-Post Katrina. Yet, on both occassions he talked about Iraq for what seemed like forever. Then, early this year, over an Iraq funding bill, the same President implied that additional money for Katrina was "pork".
When Powell talks about rebuilding a home, one must ask why almost a half billion dollars are spent on Iraq daily to fight a war that his boss mishandled from the beginning.
Yes, there has been crime, corruption and embarrassments in New Orleans before and after Katrina.But, perhaps Donald Powell should ask the Justice Department to hover over Mississippi as it is doing New Orleans.Reports are that family members, friends and associates of Governor Barbour are making out like bandits over their rebuild money.
New Orleans and Louisiana has not been perfect as the city and the state has grappled with major issues that no city or state should ever face--such as groveling to the federal government and the Bush Administration for assistance over the past two years.Perhaps that is the type of heroic leadership of which Powell spoke—begging for what was promised while its citizens are heading for the hills.
As the second anniversary of Katrina starts to unfold and candles are lit in the same square in the French Quarter where President Bush made his September 2005 promise to rebuild New Orleans, we will remember the treatment by this President and this Gulf Coordinator and their respective ineptness in taking care of an important and strategic part of America. President Bush will be here for his now annual photo-op and hopefully he will take questions from the media instead of pretending that he really cares. Meantime, New Orleans might now have destroyed houses but it will always remember the lack of home provided by the Bush administration.
Donald Powell needs to be studied more. I remember pre Katrina an insurance man who held LARGE Fund Raisers for certain politicians. Is this the same guy? If it is, he was involved I believe with Aaron Broussard who is presently seeking re-election to his second term as Parish President of Jefferson. I heard Broussard mention his name today on "Inside Jefferson" on WIST 690 am today. Is he possibly one of those string pulling puppet masters we keep hearing about.
Any one knowing this to be true can contact me from this website:
http://lenny-jaeger.com/WATERLOO.html
Written by Lennyaeger
on 9/1/2007
Blanco's sex and Nagin's race transends their stupidity.
Written by LT
on 8/27/2007
Blanco and Nagin are the reasons why zero progress has been made.
Written by LT
on 8/27/2007
What is patently obvious now is that Powell is yet another political hack like Alberto Gonzales (who just quit as US attorney general for his politcal dirty tricks)! The game by Bush, Rove and Powell was always to starve the democratic female governor and the democratic black mayor by withholding rescue help for dying people as well as recovery money. If Jindal wins, it worked!!! Karl Rove may have left the white house, but he is still hard at work planning the invasion of Iran and Pakistan.
Written by Cajun Joe
on 8/27/2007
JA...normally I would agree with you 100%. But for some reason or reasons unknown, the majority seem to have hitched themselves to the government's whims. While self-reliance is the best way to overcome circumstances like is being faced...but it is clear that most of those affected need to give themselves at the mercy of the government. I wish it wouldn't so...but they need serious assistance.
Written by LT
on 8/27/2007
Katrina rebuilding has objectively revealed flaws at EVERY level of government. Anyone who says different is either remarkably stupid, or, more likely, playing political games. I find it interesting that the two people groups who refused to take any government money have gotten the farthest. To see how the rest of the city could be, look at the Vietnamese community in East N.O., and the Baptist Seminary on Gentilly. All hard work, all volunteers, no government money. The obviously reality is that less government involvement means faster and better rebuilding.
Written by JA
on 8/27/2007
After reading and hearing about the sheer inability of the state and local government...perhaps it is time for LA to become a ward of the federal government. It is unlikely that LA/NOLA politics will allow progress to be made. Time for a situation not unlike post-world war II Japan...remake the culture, approach and structure of the Sportsmen's Paradise. The current circumstances demand it.
Written by LT
on 8/27/2007
Gee Steve, are your feelings hurt? Should the Federal Government just send the signed blank checks down here for Blanco and Nagin to "rebuild" the city/state? Your article is like beating farts out of a dead mule. The bottom line, again, is not leadership from our elected officials. You should be ranting and raving at Blanco for not only screwing up the Road Home Program but in tsking 2 months to respond to questions from the Feds. on the additioanl monies needed for the RHP. As far as Nagin, we are stuck with this knuclehead until the next election. Rather than assuming that the War on Terror is taking away all our money, you should be writing about how our elected officials are not representing us. Why did Mississippi seem to get their money with less headache than us? Because we are "Stuck on Stupid" and did not have a plan, our republicans and democrats that we keep electing are moe interested in maintaining their power than in getting this state back on it's feet. Get a grip Steve. I fully expect to see your name on some National Enquirer headlines soon.
Written by Sid
on 8/27/2007
I live in NC, an area quite familiar with hurricanes and their destructive force. I am also a former New Orleans resident and have personally contributed money to the rebuilding of N.O. I am not downplaying the destruction New Orleans has suffered, however I am quite tired of all the fingers pointing out. New Orleans was and is a city ruled by a corrupt government - people their have long joked about it. It may be time to look in the mirror for solutions, instead of holding a hand out.
Written by Chris Rutledge
on 8/26/2007
Steve,for one i love your passion for our area,but we citizens of new orleans know it is up to us to rebuild new orleans we do not have any faith in a nazi like mr. powell to have our best interest at heart.This recovery has been driven by the people who absolutely love new orleans and believe in God, cause it takes a lot of faith to live here,but with or without the feds help we will prevail,so to Hell with those nazi sympathizers. 7th ward for life.
Written by anthony
on 8/26/2007
Tee Dub: Both the Flood Act of 1928 and the Tort Claims Act of 1945 limit the liability of the Feds. The immunity is not absolute in all cases - Berkowitz and the defective polio vaccine, for example. In fact, Tort Claims was passed to ALLOW private suits, a thing which the doctrine of sovereign immunity had long forbidden. However, where a policy choice is made, where cost-benefit ratios are decided, then the immunity of the Feds may as well be absolute. La. does the same thing. Think about the suit against DOTD from the April 83 flooding (rain and high rivers; nothing to do with levees or hurricanes). The plaintiffs showed that the design of I-10 was defective. It acted as a dam, sort of a "reverse levee," in that it held water in instead of keeping it out. They won at trial and the judgment was upheld on appeal. The problem was collecting. It's a separation of powers thing - a judge can't order the legislature to write the winners a check. The legislature must pass an appropriation to satisfy the judgment. (Their lawyer got novel and tried to intervene in the New York bond market to attach some money before it reached La. The NY judge was not amused and almost sanctioned the guy for that maneuver.) That's right, you guessed it, La. has refused to pay the DOTD judgment for almost 20 years. It's not that Congress intended for folks to be hurt with no recourse. It's that they intended that their relief would come from appropriations via political/elected channels, not from judgments through courts. The problem with Stephen's blast here on the Buzz is that it isn't very likely to persuade Congress to open the money spigot even wider. We just went through a few billion in surplus, and now we want a few billion to backfill Blanco's Road Home and now we need a few more billion for our 30%-35% local share on the levee upgrades. We aren't exactly making the best case for ourselves. Finally, just because a gummit employee isn't negligent doesn't mean the cost-benefit ratio and the other assumptions used in the planning and budget decisions should not be shared with a public who is - often unaware - taking those risks. Last year I sent Stephen MIL-STD-882 on the level of authority required to accept a given level of risk for tanks, ships, and bombers, etc. Military procurement is a whole 'nother world so I'm pretty doubtful 882 applies to Civil Works projects such as levees. Even so, if the folks of New Orleans were exposed to the true level of risk any given budget and levee configuration exposed them to, they would have the opportunity to make an informed consent decision. A state-wide bond issue
for local levee match could do that nicely . . . .
Written by Kelly Haggar
on 8/26/2007
For those who are axiously awaiting this class action suit against the Corps, let me just say that I hope they included all those who serverd on the levee boards that were supposed to oversee the projects and maintainence. I hope that they can account for every penny that was allocated for levees. Seems to me there were Corps projects that could not go forward because of lawsuits, money allocated for projects being diverted elsewhere, money allocated for levees being used to fund all sorts of things not associated with levees. These are afterall earthen levees. Everyone has known for decades that New Orleans was sinking. Are those who were allowed to build on land that someone had to know was capable of flooding named in that suit? Why does it take the Federal Government to designate for the people who live in the state what is flood plain or not? A little common sense instead of greed would have helped. Yes, I know many of you will say that I don't live in Louisiana so I should not have a say. My tax dollars are being used for rebuilding. I want to see it done right and I want accountablility. I do believe that New Orleans is a tourist mecca for the state. However, many are fearful of going because of the crime. Contractors are having to pay top dollar but many are turning it down because they feel that there is no law enforcement. Thanks to the person who mentioned Betsy. I remember that well including the visit from the Democrat President who promised much but did little and didn't even bother to come back. Yet there was recovery. Who can forget what Camille did to the Mississippi coast? There was recovery. It took a long time. I don't remember the Feds getting too involved in that either. It all has to do with the people. The people of the Gulf Coast are strong. We will rebuild. The Blame game is counter productive.
Written by Sharon
on 8/26/2007
Why is there so much anger about the statement "Federal resources can rebuild a house, but they can't rebuild a home"? A house is just a building. People make it a home. Powell didn't mean to insult with that statement. Nor was he insulting anyone when he said that it would take "heroic" leadership to rebuild. Truth is there are going to have to be many hard decisions made. To rebuild stronger and better not everyone is going to get what they want. Many will not be happy. Some areas should not be rebuilt for reasons obvious to everyone but those who want to go back. Everyone understands the loss they feel but to rebuild will only invite another disaster.
Written by Sharon
on 8/26/2007
Hmmm, Kelly, I'm not involved in the class action suit against the Corps, which I think is the most relevant comparison to the case you cited? But I would still maintain that we should hold the Corps (and therefore ultimately, the feds) accountable for the design flaws in those floodwalls. Shouldn't we demand accountability from our government? And Mac, you don't seem to like New Orleans much, but imagine what Louisiana would be like without New Orleans. Whether you like it or not, New Orleans is a huge economic engine for the state - I seem to recall a legislator in Baton Rouge years ago asking "Where would the great state of Louisiana be without the great state of New Orleans?"
Written by Tee Dub
on 8/26/2007
Stephen...no plan...no funding. Get it? Understand? Iraq...who cares? Candles are lit...how sad. Gov-ette Blanco and NOLA Nagin are worthless...clueless. Road Home...no bid contracts? You would after 2 years some state and local leadership would have surfaced. The next thing is that someone else (Moon's little girl Mary did it first) will blame Reagan. Get this...get a clue...get a plan. Until then...light are all the candles you want...it makes for a good visual.
Written by LT
on 8/26/2007
Those with some spare time on a Sunday afternoon might check out this URL: http://biotech.law.lsu.edu/cases/immunity/abomb03.htm for an hour or two. (If you want to quit early, skip ahead to the conclusion of the concurring opinion.) If y'all do go through this case, keep mentally substituting the phrase "design and construct levees" for "conduct open air atomic bomb tests" each time the facts of the case are discussed. The "failure to warn" analysis will be especially poignant for New Orleans residents. The meaning won't change from that substitution; neither will the result. In you still find yourself in a reflective frame of mind after digesting this ruling, imagine you are a contractor down here helping to rebuild the city, staying with your co-workers in a shared rental house in a supposedly safe part of town away from drugs and gangs. The seven of you are just sitting down to dinner when some gunmen burst through the front door . . . .
Written by Kelly "Listric Faults" Haggar
on 8/26/2007
There is enough blame to go around... but blame does nothing, as those who live in vast areas of New Orleans can tell you. Blame is a sign of weak leadership... action is evidence of strong leadership. We have too much whining and not enough true work. Everyone wants money for this and money for that. Agreed, money is needed, but why is there such a demand for "entitlements?" After Hurricane Betsy, no one expected anything, and little was given, but the devastated parts of the city were rebuilt. What we are experiencing now is the result of a combination of poor leadership and a degradation of individual character.
Written by Maxwell
on 8/25/2007
The incompetence of Nagin, Blanco, LA politicos in general, etc., plus the gimme-gimme or I'll cut your eyes out mindset of Orleanians, is the chief reason you all are in the fix you are in, in the first place
Written by Mac
on 8/25/2007
Way to go, Stephen! You're on FIRE, Man! I'm so sick of Donald Powell's constant denigration I could scream. He's another bean counter whose number one concern is covering Bush's rear end - not the recovery of the region. And thanks for pointing out that there seem to be some unsavory political dealings going on behind the scenes in our neighbor to the east. A special thanks, too, to Ana Maria, for reminding us that it's not all a bed of roses in Mississippi, either.
Written by Tee Dub
on 8/25/2007
Yo, Buzz,
Loved your piece. You are so very right that the horrific lack of leadership and funding as well as the apparently deliberate placement of inappropriate and therefore extremely hurtful obstacles has virtually stopped vigorous recovery throughout the Katrina-ravaged region.<p>
I do wish to gently challenge the notion implied that the Mississippi Gulf Coast region is in any better condition. It is not. <p>
In March, I drove four days from my home in San Jose, Calif., to my hometown of Bay St. Louis, Miss., to surprise my mother and the rest of my family with a visit. Buzz, I was the one who was surprised. <p>
When I visited family in New Orleans, my surprise remained. The devastation throughout the region remains and the challenges are similar.<p>
Yes, Mississippi has Haley Barbour. Who the heck cares when folks aren't getting the help they need on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. <p>
To help my enormous frustration with the situation here--and I began a blog to describe life in the Katrina-ravaged region specifically focusing on our experiences here in Mississippi. <p>
I just got a note from a man in San Jose who said that his elderly mother who lives here in the Bay was denied a grant because she had had some insurance. The house was virtually destroyed.<p>
If you have a moment, I invite you to drive the coastline along Highway 90. The homes? Gone and not being rebuilt. Bay St. Louis is one of the three tiny beach towns that comprise Katrina's ground zero. The Bay, Pass Christian, and Waveland were virtually wiped out and remain so. Apparently, Haley Barbour could care less about us. <p>
I hate what has been and continues to happen to New Orleans and the rest of Louisiana. It's horrible! I think the criticism of Blanco has been unfair. <p>
I have plenty of family there and throughout the Miss. Gulf Coast that have been adversely impacted. <p>
Many of us have friends and family throughout the Katrina-ravaged region that have been and continue to be negatively impacted by the lack of appropriate federal leadership and its divide and conquer tactics. Let's thwart those efforts so that the vibrancy of the entire region can more quickly return.<p>
Thanks for your work. I do appreciate it!<p>
Ana Maria<p>
A.M. in the Morning!<p>
AMintheMorning.blogspot.com <p>
Written by Ana Maria
on 8/25/2007
Yo, Buzz,
Loved your piece. You are so very right that the horrific lack of leadership and funding as well as the apparently deliberate placement of inappropriate and therefore extremely hurtful obstacles has virtually stopped vigorous recovery throughout the Katrina-ravaged region.
I do wish to gently challenge the notion implied that the Mississippi Gulf Coast region is in any better condition. It is not.
In March, I drove four days from my home in San Jose, Calif., to my hometown of Bay St. Louis, Miss., to surprise my mother and the rest of my family with a visit. Buzz, I was the one who was surprised.
When I visited family in New Orleans, my surprise remained. The devastation throughout the region remains and the challenges are similar.
Yes, Mississippi has Haley Barbour. Who the heck cares when folks aren't getting the help they need on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
To help my enormous frustration with the situation here--and I began a blog to describe life in the Katrina-ravaged region specifically focusing on our experiences here in Mississippi.
I just got a note from a man in San Jose who said that his elderly mother who lives here in the Bay was denied a grant because she had had some insurance. The house was virtually destroyed.
If you have a moment, I invite you to drive the coastline along Highway 90. The homes? Gone and not being rebuilt. Bay St. Louis is one of the three tiny beach towns that comprise Katrina's ground zero. The Bay, Pass Christian, and Waveland were virtually wiped out and remain so. Apparently, Haley Barbour could care less about us.
I hate what has been and continues to happen to New Orleans and the rest of Louisiana. It's horrible! I think the criticism of Blanco has been unfair.
I have plenty of family there and throughout the Miss. Gulf Coast that have been adversely impacted.
Many of us have friends and family throughout the Katrina-ravaged region that have been and continue to be negatively impacted by the lack of appropriate federal leadership and its divide and conquer tactics. Let's thwart those efforts so that the vibrancy of the entire region can more quickly return.
Thanks for your work. I do appreciate it!
Ana Maria
A.M. in the Morning!
AMintheMorning.blogspot.com
Does 