This weekend we will recognize another anniversary of the Hurricane Katrina tragedy. Four years ago, the world changed for this region of the country. Of course, we are still rebuilding and the population has not returned completely. According to demographer Greg Rigamer, 22% of the pre-Katrina population has not returned to New Orleans.
Many people have grown tired of the political corruption and outrageous violent crime rate, but many others are just afraid of living here. There has been almost nothing done to restore the coast of Louisiana. According to Carlton Dufrechou of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, the Obama administration has not delivered on promises to restore the coast. In fact, he said that no major coastal restoration initiatives have been launched by Obama in the first seven months of his presidency. Obama will appoint a panel to study the issue, but we have been studying this issue for decades, it is time for action, not studies.
When campaigning in New Orleans Obama declared that our recovery would be “a priority of my presidency.” Not only has it not been a priority, it has not even been on his radar screen. It is interesting that President Obama has not only neglected coastal restoration, but he has neglected to visit our state. The President has jetted from one end of the country to the other, but has bypassed Louisiana. It could be because of the fact that Louisiana is a red, Republican leaning state. If so, such political considerations are a horrible reason to ignore our area. President Obama was elected to represent the entire 50 states, not just the blue ones.
With the host of environmental and recovery issues we are facing, Louisiana deserves much more attention from President Obama. Not only has the President ignored Louisiana, but the Vice President has ignored us as well.
While numerous cabinet secretaries have visited the area, there is no substitute for a visit from the President. While the levee reconstruction and flood protection improvements are progressing and billions have been spent, it will be all in vain if the coast is not restored.
The restoration of our coast is a federal, state and local issue. Politicians on all levels have failed the citizens of this state, but the President is the most important politician of them all. If President Obama makes our recovery and coastal restoration a national priority, he can make a major difference in the ability of this region to survive. Rhetoric, not backed by action, is useless and typical of the type of political speak that we have received for decades. We don’t have any more time for politics as usual.
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Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m.weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I think your question was answered when: ":"{"""""Actually I think Bobby might even be doing a much better job, when it comes to analyzing things on a demographic comparison/power-authority base, of blowing massive amounts of dough and making tremendous expenditures on things with other peoples money……… }__""""""""""" was entered on a post below...................... Or wusn't dat clear enuf fer ya jake? Written by
on 9/1/2009
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Tomorrow night-- Sept 2-- Hale Boggs Bldg----- over 500 signed up-- let your voice be heard... HealthCare Rally. Written by FYI
on 9/1/2009
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Hmmm . . . Jindal has cut taxes and has forcefully resisted attempts to raise them. How does that line up with "fleecing"? Written by Jacob Sulzbach, Lafayette, La.
on 8/29/2009
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I agree with you to a certain extent Jacob Sulzbach when you put down: “I think Jindal stacks up quite well by comparison with President Obama with respect to dedicating funds for capital infrastructure.” Actually I think Bobby might even be doing a much better job, when it comes to analyzing things on a demographic comparison/power-authority base, of blowing massive amounts of dough and making tremendous expenditures on things with other peoples money……… To bad he doesn’t give a thought in these questionable times of saving taxpayers either federal or local any dough, and like Mary Mary, is schemeing how to fleece folks out of more to be spent or squandered any way his status quo tells him to in order to stimulate their personal economies….. Written by Strongconcrete pg. 12
on 8/29/2009
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"President Obama to visit New Orleans"..... ... (don't ya'll read the Times Picayune?)..... The President will be here in the next few weeks (time TBA)... to get government involved in recovery after Katrina-- -- So, Jeff, open mouth, insert foot. Written by KJ
on 8/29/2009
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We could do far worse than Bobby Jindal. We have had far worse, and most likely will again. Written by kpf
on 8/28/2009
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Okay, I finally found the capital outlay budgetary act for this year. (Google [minus the quotes] "Louisiana Act No. 20 Regular Session, 2009 668699") Louisiana House Bill No. 2, signed as Act No. 20 by Governor Jindal on July 10 of this year allocates $290 million to Coastal Restoration. (See page 38, item 11/435) This allocation resulted from the budget surplus for fiscal year 2008 which Jindal announced last December would be set aside for funding Louisiana's end of the $15 billion Corps of Engineers "100 year project" allocated by the federal government in 2007 and scheduled for completion in 2011. Louisiana must complete its end of the project by December, 2010. You can read the following quote from a document at lcpra.org (Google [minus the quotes] "Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana articleID=155"): ". . . The $300 million is contained in House Bill 2, which outlines all capital outlay and surplus spending for the state. The state budget surplus from the 2009 fiscal year totaled more than $865 million. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal recommended $300 million be directed to coastal restoration and hurricane protection projects with $200 million needed to acquire lands necessary for the Corps of Engineers to build $15 billion in projects for the New Orleans area hurricane protection system. . . ." (Note 1: In May of this year, which is the date of the article, the appropriation was still set at $300 million. Note 2: The role of the Corps of Engineers will likely be reduced after a recent decision by the Obama administration, which I must agree with in all honesty.) So Bobby Jindal has kept us on course to receive what we all recognize is just the first installment on what has been estimated by some as a $100 billion coastal restoration project. Mary Landrieu is trying to craft legislation to establish a longer-term program, but I have my doubts it will pass, just read Jeff's article above to understand why. But for all of you who watched the Louisiana budgetary debate this year -- remember Steve's "Something is Wrong with Louisiana" editorial? -- please keep in mind that the numerous calls by legislators and lobbyists here in Louisiana to allocate that surplus differently were resisted by Jindal and our state is instead dedicating a significant budget allocation ('significant' as it relates to our total budget, less so in terms of the total outlay required) to the most necessary capital improvement project we face. I think Jindal stacks up quite well by comparison with President Obama with respect to dedicating funds for capital infrastructure. Written by Jacob Sulzbach, Lafayette, La.
on 8/28/2009
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An my opinion on it? Well, wut is it wurt, and how much time and money will be spent trying to fix it, and can it be fixed? Well, I guess if it is broken it can be fixed and the consideration is what will be gotten back in return? It's a shame those sea levels rising and all that.... Undeniable, but that is what is happening..... Again, wetlands and their importance on the eco system at large... Fisheries etc.,,,, But yeah, the silt resources of the Mississippi can be enhanced 1000% and the utilization factor increased dramatically.... Going to be one hell of a balancing act though...... Or, we can look at it as a constantly evolving landscape and environment, pull up stakes, relocate to the north, let mother nature do what mother nature is going to do...... Or, perhaps not only Louisiana's problems with erosion/flooding can be stymied, but a great deal of those similar problems in other regions of the U.S. as well as around the world can also.... do I hear new exportable technology there? Costs a lot less to fortify a city than it does to build it back again... Entire east coast pretty much at risk, major agricultural regions in America's heartland, and in other states, plus spinoff applications? Again cost versus benefits.......... I don't have 30 years to sit around talking about it, kind of getting tired of the whole situation actually......... So sit back and watch the chit hit the fan or commit to doing something about it... either way is fine with me./... Written by
on 8/28/2009
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Got nuttin ta do wit da N.O. there WB II............. Gots ta do wit da coastal erosion/fisheries - wutnots Written by
on 8/28/2009
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Here's my republican plan. Tell everyone to get the hell out before they drown. Spend all that money on something that might succeed. Written by
on 8/28/2009
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Good question Al………… ““““What is the Republican plan for New Orleans, and Louisiana? Are they just sitting around waiting for Obama to attempt something so they can oppose it?””””””” And then there were other excellent questions from DQ ““““What is Governor Jindal doing about coastal restoration?”””””” which I personally think sort of reinforces Al’s questions to a certain extent I think as well as but other paradigms not specifically noted into the equation for additonal food for thought……. Not so sure of the accuracy or should I say predictibility for certain in the post by Writtenby, however some of the observations appear to have the very real potential for becoming absolutely valid and they do contain a certain measure of truth if things keep going the way they are going………….. So thank you for your post WB…… CN, Jacob Salzbach, the two of you just went off like 10,000 watt light bulbs!!!! Outstanding there, simply outstanding!! Budgets and planning….. That is prudent consideration and worth the consternation put forth as it relates to the prior posts…… And we do have to admit that without federal help we will come up short, but by the same token if we do not have local help everything will simply be a wash anyways even if we do come up with planning, budgeting, and the willingness to not only do the work, but to complete the work as it relates to a viable and working solution as efficiently as possible…… I am tired of beating on my piepan…. I have made my offers, they still stand good, and time continues to roll on by just like the muddy waters of the Mississippi River… Time to do something with them I would suppose….. Written by
on 8/28/2009
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Jeff; I agree with everything you wrote in this article -- kudos! -- but I would like to speak to the bigger picture of what is going on here because the failure to invest in the capital infrastructure of levees, coastal breakwater construction, and other improvements that would halt and/or reverse the threat of coastal erosion here in Louisiana is indicative of a much larger problem with budgetary priorities in Washington that has been with us for some time and which is now becoming much worse under President Obama and his liberal Democrat allies. Our federal government spends too much money on consumable resources which produce very little or no economic value to our country in return while simultaneously spending too little on capital resources, public infrastructure in this case, which can return new assets, thus dynamically spurring economic growth through the ongoing creation of new assets that are the defining characteristic of capital investment. In short, we are not doing enough to create a dynamism within our economy that can help us grow out of our current stagnation. With respect to levees and public projects to address coastal erosion the assets that would flow from this investment would be lower insurance rates for storm and flood damage protection that would lower the operating costs of businesses and private homeowners, the latter of whom would see their disposable income, i.e. "purchasing power," increased. So as we all sit together trying to endure the chill of this recession and we witness the attempt of Obama and liberal Democrats to warm us by throwing another trillion on the fire for the consumable resource of health care, while necessary capital infrastructure improvements, such as those currently-presented for levees and coastal erosion projects and others not discussed such as the vitally-needed superconducting electrical power transmission lines to bring wind and solar power to the upper Midwest and Northeast, we should all know that once the trillion is burnt, we'll have little or nothing of consequence to show for it. We are already in very deep trouble and it's only going to get worse under this president and congress. Written by Jacob Sulzbach, Lafayette, La.
on 8/28/2009
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C'mon now, nothing much will be spent on coastal restoration because we can't come up with a plan to fix it. Maybe a few more trips to see the Dutch? And hopefully everyone remembers Charlie Boy Melancon fighting the offshore royalty bill that Mr. Jindal proposed because of petty politics. He came on board at the very end after months of saying we had to go with the WRDA bill. But the POS realized he was the only freaking representative not signed on so he got on board late instead of trying to get something going with his party. Written by CN
on 8/28/2009
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Coastal restoration in Louisiana will be the largest boondoggle ever created by man. Primarily because of geological truths, and exaggerated by political and social dilemmas, the process is irreversible. That doesn't mean that trillions won't be spent, and that activists, scientists, consultants, and contractors won't make careers out of failing in the efforts. Unless Louisiana is willing to demolish the Mississippi River levee system, the coast will continue to be washed away. And even that may not work. Mother Nature can be a real beeeetch. Written by
on 8/28/2009
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There you go again Jeff. I guess you didn't read the Times-Picayune interview with Obama or watch the news when Cabinet members came to town to announce money grants. What did all the visits from your hero George Bush accomplish? Didn't Congress pass offshore oil revenue sharing to help pay for coastal restoration? What is Governor Jindal doing about coastal restoration? Written by David Quidd
on 8/28/2009
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Jeff,
Why are you calling on Obama? Everything that Obama attempts to do, your republican cohorts attempt to shoot it down. Obama doesn't make law, the congress does. What is the Republican plan for New Orleans, and Louisiana? Are they just sitting around waiting for Obama to attempt something so they can oppose it? It was George Bush and his band of republican thieves that left us in this mess. Let's not forget his Jackson Square speech.Empty promises by a sitting president in the middle of a disaster. After all this state voted repuclican. Where has the republican calvary been? Jeff, most days you make no sense. This is just another one of those days. And for the crowd that follows you, let's not forget, Obama is gonna take your guns, create death squads, and turn the U.S. into a Socialist country. And that's just for starters!! Written by Al
on 8/28/2009
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Relax... he's just having dinner with Oprah...... preparing the push for "The American Plan".... You lost the election- remember? We sat around for 8 horrible Bush years... and, didn't like it one bit--- now, it's your turn, Jim-- Don't worry, this too shall pass... but, not for 8 more years. (ooh- the Rush-uns are coming!.. the Rush-uns are coming!) Written by KJ
on 8/28/2009
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Obama would have loved to beat the Katrina drums 3 years ago. But now, with a clown like Nagin as mayor, and embarrassingly little progress after 4 years, Obama's handlers know that the time for successful victim-praising is long overdue for New Orleans. The rest of the nation is disgusted with New Orleans and Obama will lose ground if he plays that tired old card again. Written by
on 8/28/2009
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No Jim, it is not 'Nazi' socialism, it is 'National' Socialism................ Written by
on 8/28/2009
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Uhhhh, Jeff, "The restoration of our coast is a federal, state and local issue."???? No Jeffy, the restoration of our economy is THE Federal, State, and Local issue........ That coastal restoration shindig? That is all for the private little concerns at the private little parties that make all that loot, the general public IS NOT INVITED to participate.............. Now if you have an issue, at least be fair and open about it..... Looks like little Andy Cooper got his little CNN special after all, and of course James Carville was running running around schmoozing and attempting to bolster his image as being some kind of altruistic icon of sorts that is in the know..... Well guess what Mr. Carville, a little more common sense and a little more application of leveraged action is probably a bit more in order or relevant then the latest blah-blah-blah on your culinary or epicurious escapades................ You wouldn't know a good thing if it came up and kicked you in the balls.... Oh, and Semper Fi there James... Done been there and done did that too............ Written by
on 8/28/2009
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This president is only concerned about himself, and his friends. We are heading toward towards Nazi socialism. Hate to sound so negative but this guy really worries me. Written by Jim
on 8/28/2009
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This weekend we will recognize another anniversary of the Hurricane Katrina tragedy. Four years ago, the world changed for this region of the country. Of course, we are still rebuilding and the population has not returned completely. According to demographer Greg Rigamer, 22% of the pre-Katrina population has not returned to 
