As the most recent storm Edouard splashed upon the shores of Louisiana on its journey to Texas, Louisiana can sigh with relief that we’ve missed another one without our name written on it.
At the end of this month, it will be three years since the mega-disaster hit our state which ruined many families, changed lifestyles and destroyed parishes.
Ironically, months later, Louisiana and the rest of the nation will be engaging in high-spirited political debates regarding who should control the upcoming local offices, the White House and Congress.
It will be a disaster if Katrina (including Rita) and its aftermaths do not play the major role in the election discussions
While nationally, there are many issues getting a tremendous amount of attention such as the energy “crises”, nuclear proliferation, the Iraq War, negotiating with our enemies, the economy, for many living in Louisiana and in many states throughout the nation, the number one issue during the elections should be Katrina.
What went wrong and what needs to go right is CRITICAL ISSUE NUMERO UNO.
With many parochial, Congressional, US Senate and the big one, the Presidential Election on the calendar, now is the time to discuss the past in the framework of which party and which candidates will ensure that we are not vulnerable in the future.
Katrina did not just shake us up, it crippled or destroyed many of us.Locally, so many of our businesses are flailing.Our family members and friends have moved to new cities and states. Three years have gone by and we are just beginning to show some signs of improvement, yet, we have such a long way to go to reach any sense of normalcy.True, government does not provide all of the solutions, nor should it.But, if we do not discuss public policy as it relates to what we have gone through, we will relive it again and as things are currently, we will not have the resources for the fix.
Republicans and Democrats have different approaches as to how we should approach the recovery and disaster prevention.Without placing a value judgment on who is right, what is more important right now is that we as a people in Louisiana demand that these issues be debated by our candidates certainly throughout the state and yes, across the nation.
Katrina was a defining moment for Louisiana and for America.We must get “it” right or the next time, it will be too late.
In 1991 and 1992, the mantra for one Presidential candidate was “it’s the economy, stupid”.
It is totally up to the good people of Louisiana to make sure that our own candidates and our national candidates know that the major political issue must be, “it’s Katrina and Rita, stupid”.
Other issues certainly are important but no topic has caused the level of disruption in Louisiana and in many states nearby than the dual storms.No other issue than domestic protection and recovery is as costly. Most importantly, what we suffered can easily occur in Texas or virtually any state in the nation. Disaster prevention and recovery must be elevated by us in our formula for picking our elected officials.While we can survey the issues that are covered by the media today, none of them comes close to the level of impact upon the lives and families of how we recover from the current calamities and how do we prevent the future “knock out punches” that leave us headless, mindless and even heartless.
As citizens of this state and nation, we have an opportunity to create a better society. As Louisiana citizens and as US citizens, we must raise the issue often, loudly and even shrilly. We cannot be stupid.For many of us in ANYWHERE USA, the next one could be the really BIG ONE.
I think Sharon forgot to bring Andrew into the comparative analysis..... (funny how the word analysis starts with anal)......... But I know you mean well Sharon, and T-Dubb,,,, go easy on the lass, they are of the fairer sex, although sometimes it is sort of amusing to get them going...... Anyways Sharon, may I suggest going to the local pub and enjoying a fuzzy navel, or perhaps a slippery nipple??? You will really like them I am sure....... And T-dubb,,,,, Beers to you, HAPPY FRIDAY.... Written by
on 8/8/2008
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The "Troll" comment was uncalled for. Sharon was spot on about personal responsibility and also correct that proper storm preparedness starts with the individual and follows the sequence of local then state then federal preparedness and response. I did not think she was looking down her nose, just stating common sense facts. As far as self reliant if you are smart - and I know you are - you take food and water, medicines and medical supplies and other essentials when you evacuate. I am reminded of Georges where those who brought food fed many who went to the dome with only their prized electronics. I don't know about you, but IMHO, bringing food from home during a hurricane evacuation is responsible, bringing electronics and relying upon others to feed your family is not. Imagine your son-in-law neglecting to bring food for your grandchildren but saving his bowling trophies and big screen TV...I think you'd understand what Sharon means about personal responsibility in that scenario. Gone 'till Monday - y'all enjoy the weekend. Written by kpf
on 8/7/2008
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Well Sharon probably won't find this, because she posted on another thread that she thought Stephen had removed it, but anyway - please, Sharon, stop comparing Ivan to Katrina - it's apples and oranges! Were over 100,000 homes flooded during Ivan? Did the floodwaters stay in Pensacola putrefying for three weeks? Was the entire infrastructure of Pensacola down for weeks due to 80% of the city being flooded for three weeks? You say the roads were down in Pensacola for three days! La-dee-friggin'-da! I wasn't even allowed to go back to my house until late September, Sharon! There was nothing I could do - now how could I be "self-reliant" from 80 miles away? What is WRONG with you? I mean, aside from the fact that you are dumb as a rock and as mean as a hornet? I am so sick of you looking down your nose at us Katrina victims with your holier-than-thou attitude. Go away already, you troll. TW Written by Tee Dub
on 8/7/2008
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“I am wasting my time preaching personal responsibility” says Sharon………. And then she says that she “expects to be attacked for it”…. Actually I want to congratulate her on her astute hypothesis regarding the world, and how it works…….. Especially when she proudly proclaims; “You are so right Sid. How can we discuss and issue with all this nonsense?” in such a magnanimous fashion………. You Sharon would make an EXCELLENT state worker or politician in Louisiana!!!! And had I taken the time out to read your post this morning before traveling to Baton Rouge to meet with one of our states wonderful ‘stewards’ I would have recommended you highly for one out of the dozens of superficial posts our tax revenues guarantee the perpetuation of…….. The highlight of my day was realizing I wasted some time with another character equally as ignorant when at the end of the meeting he left several hundred million dollars for the state of Louisiana dangling at the edge of the desk as I walked out………… Much like T-Boone Pickens, I chose to offer and share “what was mine” as T-duhhhhb seems to appreciate and applaud so much when someone else in another state does…….. So today, I am going to have a couple of scotch on the rocks, smoke one of my fine hand rolled cigars a friend brought me from offshore (not going to post the country of origin) and laugh at it all as I brush off the fact that those out their that smugly claim some type of profound knowledge are pretty much as hypocritical as the ones that take their tax dollars and fail to deploy prudence and diligence which should be one of the hallmarks they possess as they execute ‘personal responsibility’ and proactive (ha-ha-ha) mediation to circumvent any future calamities such as that which Katrina was….. I wonder what the next big storms name is going to be???? A, I, and K have been taken, are there any takers on a wager that its name is going to start with a letter somewhere between O and Z????? Written by
on 8/7/2008
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You are so right Sid. How can we discuss and issue with all this nonsense? I amazes me after all the disasters that have happened since including failed earthen levees elsewhere, we are talking about Katrina as a campaign issue. Sure there were failures in leadership. But one thing we learned here in Florida with Ivan and 10 other hurricanes in 13 months. Preparation on the local and state level is critical. The Federal Government is the fall back when that is exhausted. Every year in early May we in Florida hear from out state and local officials about how to plan to be on our own for 5 days. During Ivan, Pensacola was cut off for 3 days because bridges collapsed and roads were covered with heavy debris. That had to be cleared to bring in large trucked supplies from FEMA. We were reminded to make sure that we had adequate insurance and flood insurance. We were provided with lists of supplies. I saw none of that before Katrina. I watched Governor Blanco with Mary Landrieu behind her crying and praying that it would go elsewhere. It did but the levees did not hold. We will never know what would have happened if those pumping stations would have been manned and back up generators would have been available. Abandoning those pumps was a local decision. South Lafourche (I think and I cannot remember the man's name who was in charge there) was an outstanding example of what can be done. The water came within a couple of inches of the top of that levee but it held. There were many unforgettable pictures from that time. One was everyone lining up at the Superdome with no supplies looking like they were going to a party instead of waiting on a major hurricane. Even when the floodwaters came in we watched terrible pictures of victims and others who were looting stores not for food or supplies but TVs, stereos and non essentials. There was chaos and lawlessness playing out on TV. That was a local and state problem. Did the federal government do a good job? No, there were mistakes made. But money was quickly voted on and allocated. Nothing would ever be enough though. 3 Years later we are hearing story after story about able bodied Katrina victims who are waiting until the government money runs out before they "look for work". Cutting "red tape" usually results in abuse and it did. I know I am wasting my time preaching personal responsibility and I expect to be attacked for it but we choose where we live. Every part of the nation has its natural disasters. If the Federal Government was responsible for making each and every citizen whole after a disaster, our economy would collapse. How would John McCain or Obama respond to another Katrina? Who can know? It is my hope that the local and state leaders in Louisiana would be better prepared. It is my greater hope that the citizens will have learned their lesson and have proper insurance and supplies ready as we get into the heart of this Hurricane season. WE should learn the lessons of Katrina and Ivan and be stronger and better prepared personally. AS they say, the cost of living in Paradise............... Written by Sharon
on 8/6/2008
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Written by on 8/5/2008................ - - - """Uhhh....how about that we don't want to see that scenario happen again? Not here, not there, no anywhere."""" Well "duhhhhhh" perhaps you may want to enlighten the readership here what it is you are doing, have done, or have to contribute that would, to a greater extent, prevent those types of things from being a common occurence.................. And when it comes to '''''And especially at your asylum.'''''''',, it occurs to me that you are my neighbor, so I guess that makes you a kooky one too????? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!!! Hah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!!!!!! U putz...
Written by
on 8/6/2008
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And as an afterthought, I think I am correct in pointing out; That the only reason some of you are here is because you were born here, But......... I AM HERE BY CHOICE............... Written by
on 8/6/2008
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Peace is right on Kjunlady, luvs the stuff, don't much care for the more serious nuances that like it or not, need to be stated....... and examined for their face value........ In the interests of enlightening folks that are content with sitting in their own little corner of the world playing with their little bag of marbles instead of realizing what the world that surrounds them is really about.......... I myself do not particularly care for the "pump sunshine and blow smoke up everyone's derrière" routine....... And I am glad I raised such a reaction from an other wise comatose crowd.......... It shows that a paradigm was effectively presented that shook the Boudian between the ears out there..... My truck isn’t much, pretty much held together with duct tape and bailing wire and scavenged parts from derelicts in the salvage yards spread out across the country….. I can be in North Dakota one day, Bean Town on another, or wandering up and down the streets of the Bronx,, perhaps surfing out in Malibu or Redondo Beach, drinking Pacificos in Tucson, or eating salsa and chips in San Antonio……….. Doesn’t matter the geographical proximity, I am always wandering around the country, meeting, greeting, seeing, learning………… observing,,,,, Quite often, and sadly, when I am asked where I am from while on my various travels and I reply “Louisiana” a perceptively blank stare goes across the inquisitors face as the inevitable question pops out of their mouth …… “What is wrong with you people?”………………… Katrina is about as relevant as cow farts on the Argentinean tundra as far as they are concerned……. And they actually expect me to start talking about it……… I don’t even mention it…….. And then of course comes another stupid round of stupid comments and all I can do is give them a sad smile and walk away……………. And why? Well, I suppose that I have to give them their kudos because ashamedly I realize they are to a certain point, correct with some of their harsh observations…… I refrain from retorting back some stupid Yankee remark, or pointing out the crappier side of the environ they live in………… Quite often the faces of my friends back in Louisiana flash in my mind, and that is the only consolation I get at the moment………. Am I embarrassed of Louisiana? HELL NO!!!! Am I embarrassed with the way things are going in Louisiana?? HELL NO!!!! But………. I DO GET ANGRY AS HELL ABOUT THE WAY SOME THINGS ARE DONE OR RUN DOWN HERE AT TIMES…… Did New Orleans ‘deserve’ what it got?????? No, contrary to the snide remarks I hear around the country, even the ‘less than good’ elements of New Orleans didn’t deserve what it was dished out…….. And the good folks SURE AS HELL DIDN’T DESERVE IT EITHER………………….. Not by any means…………….. To tell y’all the truth, I am with KPF’s line of thought on lot of things and that is to go out, and pass a good time……. And I also adhere to working like hell when I am not out passing a good time……… So really and truly, the derogatory comments posted as a result of my astute observations really do not phase me, because I know that the posters of those types of comments do not have Louisiana’s interests at heart, and are probably, at the root of it, a part of the equation that is holding us back as a whole……… Probably attached to a something or someone that fears I am going to break their rice bowl and stop the free ride on the taxpayer’s dime, and at common men and women’s families, and securities expense………….. I abhor douche bags…………………… I abhor folks that are content with sitting in their own little corner of the world playing with their little bag of marbles while their neighbors are suffering, or experiencing a lesser quality of life than what they could otherwise be able to achieve because those little marble players are blocking or putting obstacles in their way behind the secenes…………. And often deploying or utilizing unfair advantages to do so while they stack the deck in their own favor………………………. All in the name of control………………………………….. And so yes Kjunlady, peace is right…….. and that is what I seek to be able to contribute in a way I understand……. That will benefit the greatest amount of people in the least amount of time, at the least amount of expense to them…………………………………… Peace Out……… hmmmmmm,,,,, Ham and Eggs, that which only takes a chicken a few minutes, but a pig a lifetime to produce……………. I don’t like Green Eggs and Ham…………………………… And I would not like them in a box, with a fox…………………….. So why did the chicken cross the road Dr. Phil???????? Written by
on 8/6/2008
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Dear "Written by"..... You're a smart guy- who's made me laugh more than once on this blog. (even your comments about lap dancing-- for which I set myself up)... Please go back to being the wise-cracking, funny writer you are....Instead of blocking the blogs with long dissertations.....I look forward to your "better stuff"........Peace? Written by KjunLady
on 8/6/2008
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The person writing this tripe below needs to graduate and move on. Thanks for screwing up the forum. Written by Sid
on 8/6/2008
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There will be other floods, other disasters. What each resident of our town needs to accept is that we can be flooded again. Understanding this means either 1) have the ability to rebuild yourself (insurance) or 2) live elsewhere ("higher ground"). The government simply cannot cover the cost of rebuilding for thousands of uninsured residents, time after time. Even without taking eroding coastlines and global warming into account our levees can be overtopped in some hurricane path scenarios. I think this is a great place to live, but "flooding happens" - regardless of how much money we throw at this problem. Written by kpf
on 8/6/2008
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Concrete Brain, yes, we all know it is you writing these things. You are a real kook. Why don't you just go live on some other site and let intelligent people who are not crazy like you have a chance to discuss the issues. Written by Clark
on 8/5/2008
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The person who is writing all the below is really a nut and is obviously the same person. I think he is schizo. Written by Hispanic Voter
on 8/5/2008
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"""""""""""""for many living in Louisiana and in many states throughout the nation, the number one issue during the elections should be Katrina"""""""""""""""
Written by ..Can you give them one good reason why??? "
One good reason why?
Uhhh....how about that we don't want to see that scenario happen again?
Not here, not there, no anywhere.
And especially at your asylum. Written by "duhhhhhh"
on 8/5/2008
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I suppose it would only be fair of me to put things into perspective……….. My first impression of ‘Louisiana’……. 1969…… Drive-in theater out on the west coast…… Warm summer night, I was but a lad. The movie? Charlton Heston starring in; Number One…….. Really not much of a film in as far as films, or Charlton Heston is to be concerned….. Heston played the part of an aging quarterback trying to make a comeback, and he ‘played’ quarterback for the New Orleans Saints…… Aside from the last scene in the movie, Heston writhing in pain on his back in the field, with blood running out his ears as he lay there crippled, the roar of the crowd hazing in and out to allow the audience to realize he went ‘deaf’, the only other one that stands out was with Heston riding a bus in New Orleans, on the way to a game, or practice, or whatever, and passing a billboard…… The camera panned across his ‘damp’ (The middle of summer, Louisiana, go figure huh?) face and focused out the bus window……… On the billboard was a New Orleans Saints helmet, Gold and black with the Lefleur cross, and placed directly eye level opposite of the helmet was a ‘frosty cold’ bottle of Coca Cola…….. On the billboard over the coke bottle in black and white was boldly posted; THE TASTE YOU NEVER GET TIRED OF……. Or something or other along those lines…. I was a kid, sort of hard to remember the words verbatim………….. But it was a fairly vivid impression presented…… Funny thing is, here it is almost 40 years later and I suppose for the most part that billboard still holds true……….. But let’s take it a little farther…… now instead of New Orleans Saints football helmet being portrayed, and it being 2008 instead of 1969 consider the word KATRINA occupying the space on that billboard that the saints helmet occupied during the movie…… Got that little vision in your head? Good, now go to Houma, Morgan City, or Alexandria Louisiana……… Stand on the street corner with a cup in one hand, and a cardboard sign slung over your neck with HELP ME, I AM A KATRINA VICTIM written on it, and see how many people bother to drop some change in it, let alone give you the time of day aside from a look out the side of their eye that says anything else than; ‘Oh puhlease get a life moron’………. Now go to Boston, LA, New York, etc., etc., etc. and see what kind of a reaction you would get doing the same kind of thing……… There you have it……… I would think that instead of pounding the same old pity party stories, or the same old “The world owes Louisiana” rants and raves you should be presenting your readers with more insightful articles……. I myself find the Katrina Rita stories to be sort of an insult, as do many of my coonass, Cajun, redneck, and other Louisianans I frequently converse with….. We like to talk about potentials, probabilities, possibilities, and many other forward thinking types of tangents…… Right now Louisiana really has an opportunity to Rock and Roll……. To really stand out from the crowd in a positive way………. But we are constantly exposed to or represented by backward ideals,,,,,, from and by our local media, newspaper, and politicians……… To tell you the truth, it makes logical, reasonable, forward thinking citizens of our state want to look down at the ground and shake their heads when they really contemplate the full effects of things………. This article you wrote is pretty lame…… It represents lame aspirations, lame ideals, and a lame state of thinking………………. Many people were done wrong as a result of the levee failures……. And the only reason Rita is even breathed in the same sentence as Katrina is for theatrical effect…….. If it weren’t for the fact that the flood protection broke in the same place as it did the first time and flooded New Orleans the second time around it would have been held in remembrance in about the same fashion as hurricane Dolly which is already fading from memory…….. Louisiana right now is one relative bright spot when considering economies across the United States…. A fairly large factor is the influx of billions upon billions of dollars as a result of Katrina……… But aside from that, the only reason why it is in any form of stable shape is the relatively low cost of living averages, coupled with a minimal population value and an excellent industrial ratio…………. But this bright spot on the otherwise bleak economic landscape will not last forever………. Prudence, and active pursuit of programs of excellence are strongly urged…….. Forget the rah-rah-siskoomba Piyush pontifications, and as for ethics reforms? There weren’t any that have any meaning…… What we need is to learn of industries and advancements that we as a state are able to advocate, and cause or force into fruition……. Get some journalistic integrity to yourself, and your staff……. I suggest you look for alternatives to advocate instead the same old dirty wash tub swamp water you actively propagate……………. Or just keep spoon feeding your readership nutria crap….. Written by
on 8/5/2008
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And besides Steve, you are already aware of a litmus test for potential candidates, so when you put down; "We cannot be stupid." I simply have to ask, what is the level of stupid you are comfortable with..... In my opinion, you have been sort of 'stupid' for quite some time now......... So get a life, and quit being so selfish................................... Written by
on 8/5/2008
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"""""""""""""""""our national candidates know that the major political issue must be, “it’s Katrina and Rita, stupid”.""""""""""""""""""""" Get a life Steve, the rest of the nation is tired of hearing about Katrina...... CNN occaisonaly beats a couple more farts out of the subject for 'touchy feely' oprah dr. phil type reactions from old women that sit around locked up in their apartments with 30 cats, rollers in their hair, feet clad with fuzzy slippers propped up in front of television screen while they worry about salmonela laced tomatos............ GET OVER IT STEVE, KATRINA HAS COME AND GONE................. JUST LIKE ANDREW HAS AND WHO CONTEMPLATES THAT??? AND THE NEXT BIG ONE???? WELL, KATRINA WILL BE NOTHING BUT A BLUR IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN ITS ENTIRETY, NOT EVEN WORTHY OF MENTION ON CNN, ETC....... SO TELL US STEVE, WHAT ARE PRUDENT THINGS TO PURSUE?????? MY GAWD THIS IS ALL SO PICAYUNE IN NATURE.......................
Written by
on 8/5/2008
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""""""""""""""what is more important right now is that we as a people in Louisiana demand that these issues be debated""""""""""""""""""""" ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR EVER LOVIN MIND THERE SUNSHINE??????? DEBATE MY ASS!!!!!!!! IT IS TIME FOR REAL ACTION YOU POINTLESS PONTIFICATOR....................................... Written by
on 8/5/2008
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""""""""""""for many living in Louisiana and in many states throughout the nation, the number one issue during the elections should be Katrina""""""""""""""" Written by ..Can you give them one good reason why???
on 8/5/2008
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As the most recent storm Edouard splashed upon the shores of 
