Yesterday, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal addressed the media on statewide preparations for Tropical Storm Gustav. The storm is expected to strengthen and reach the northern Gulf of Mexico on Monday morning. Current projection models show Louisiana in the center of the potential impact cone. According to the National Hurricane Center, Gustav might very well be a major category 3 hurricane by the time it hits the coastline.
So, three years after Katrina we might have to deal with what could be another major storm. Clearly, the response to Katrina was a debacle in every level of government. We need to make sure that we do not repeat these mistakes.
For this storm, are we ready? It certainly seems that Governor Jindal is ready. Yesterday, he presented detailed plans on how the state will respond to this threat. It was reassuring to see a Governor in control and prepared to deal with the hurricane.
Unlike the Katrina fiasco, this time it seems that Louisiana state government will take the necessary precautions in advance to prevent a massive loss of life. Katrina taught all of us a lesson on how to prepare for a massive hurricane. It seems the lesson was not lost on the Governor.
This time, we have the luxury of time. Citizens in need of evacuation will be given every opportunity to leave low lying areas and take necessary precautions. The National Guard is ready, the emergency personnel are prepared and Baton Rouge is on top of the situation.
The Governor knows that he would not be in office today if not for Katrina. The public registered loud disapproval of Kathleen Blanco's handling of Katrina. In contrast, Jindal is making sure that he will not repeat those mistakes.
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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.
Well RW, the facts are just as plain and true before as they are during and after... So it really doesn't matter what is put down, because it was put down time and time again before...... My suggestion is fill your tank with gas, and if you need to use it, fine, and if you don't, well then fine also..... In other words, fail to prepare, prepare to fail........... This I say with all experience and confidence in my position...... And as far as Piyush, well, that is simply what it is, which is simply a what....... It would be nice if I had a big can of Gustauwf, but I don't... But if I did, I would surely deploy it.... Unfortunately there is no such thing..... So take care, and if you have friends nearby that need to evacuate, make room in you vehicle for them if you are fortunate enough to have one...... God Bless Written by
on 8/27/2008
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Pi learned from the mistakes of Kathy. However, there also must be some calmness from the community and the leaders involved. Hysteria being created by some of the media at this time, when the storm is so unpredictable, is disgusting. Written by RhettsWife
on 8/27/2008
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Yes, the Governor is going to do the exact same thing that every other mortal man is going to do...... He is going to watch it come and do its thing.... Now if you really want to do an image building story on Piyush, wait and see if he can go to the top of his ivory tower, and order Gustav away and not to threaten Louisiana's shores........... Now that would be a sight to see...... And while he is at it, he should have a couple of meetings with his Louisiana Coastal Restoration Office groupies and discuss the possibilities of getting some artifical offshore barrier islands in place at a reasonable cost........ I wonder which task he would have the most success with? Probably neither....... Oh well oh great champion of ethics and progressive thinking, carry on........ (3 years and how many days till the next Governor's election?) Written by
on 8/27/2008
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