Why isn't New Orleans cleaned up yet?? What is taking so long?

Question

We take better care of our sports centers and golf course's than we do our people. I am so ashamed...

Answer 1

I agree, I live in Europe and the general perception here is of a third world country with little regard for the welfare of its good citizens.

If you look at Indonesian response to the tsunami devastation it appears to put America to shame.

Here we think it inconceivable the way in which government has not handled the problem in a satisfactory way.

Our further bemusement is compounded by the fact that so many Americans just don't seem to care.

Is it because a largely black population has suffered or a poor one (or both) that folks express such disregard.

If such a catastrophe occurred in a place like Manhattan I imagine we would not witness such neglect.

The measure of a civilized society is reflected in the way in which it treats the poor and underprivileged.

The New Orleans debacle therefore reflects badly on American society from an International perspective.

I imagine that there are simply not enough souls in America with your example of conscience. So sad.

Best wishes.

Answer 2

Going to try to keep this short. Time had an excellent article on it. I will just quickly grab the points. The problems with New Orleans are several folds. Cleaning up and rebuilding it is not going to be as easy as building a sports arena.

One of the major problems with New Orleans is the way levees are built. First of all, they were not built to withstand a strong hurricane. Secondly, they were built at the wrong place. Instead building the levee around where people live, the levees were build around wetlands and bodies of water to keep nature out, which encourage development of housing near levees and other areas below sea levels, where flood is prone to provide damage.

Another major problem of new orleans is geological. Wetlands around the coast that could protect the city has been shrinking, which is both due to human activities and nature. The Mississipi delta, where the soil carried by the Missippie river gathers and where New Orleans is, is current sinking. The new soils coming from the river is being diverted out to sea because of the levees. If something is not done about this, the problems with New Orleans will only get worse.

With the background information above, I can finally answer the question fully. Why isn't New Orleans cleaned up yet? It's because of us and everyone of us. It takes tremendous amount of money and political will to get New Orleans safe and viable again, and it will still take a lot of will, persistance, and money off course to keep New Orlean viable.

Yet, none of these is as sexy as spending billions of dollars to build levees at the wrong place, give people jobs, get economy going and keep everyone happy, superficially at least. As feeling ashamed, I feel more of a sense of hopelessness since so few people truly understand problem..


XR

Answer 3

I watched the documentaries on the telly last night, I knew it was bad but it broke my heart, these people are US citizens they were treated worse than animals. I don't disagree with the Yanks I love them but on this issue I feel that they should hang their heads in shame. Children were left in homes with dead mothers for days on end. Sons pushed their old folk and carried them on their backs to shelter and many of the old died. It was a disgrace. Children and babies were soaked to the skin and had to lie on the ground in filth. Money should be spent in New Orleans immediately and those who make the rules in power should hang their heads in shame. The one thing I will say about the people of New Orleans is that they were courageous, and in the face of tragedy they all tried to help one another and stay positive. It was only the people themselves by working together who managed to save lives and help themselves and they were a credit to mankind.

Answer 4

The more important question that should be asked is how come Mississippi is much further along in the rebuilding process than NOLA is?? My guess is that Mississippians decided to do for themselves instead of sitting around whining, griping & complaining about the Government.

And yes NOLA WILL massively flood again. It is a bowl after all!!

Answer 5

have you any idea of the devastation in new orleans? it is not a job that can be done overnight. it will take another three to four years to complete the job. it will also take a lot more money than has already been spent. there are still people there living in FEMA trailers that have nowhere else to go. not a small undertaking.

Answer 6

Corruption right down the line. I was down there with habitat back in December. Had the opportunity to speak with some people and later on do some research of my own. Lots of corruption in the government. Money may be slow getting there but once it does it just doesn't filter through right. Not all of New Orleans is still trashy. Drive out of the lower income neighborhoods and those (upper) middle class and above homes are doing just fine and dandy.

Answer 7

It is a huge crime area down there.The reconstruction is slow because there have been murders and robberies.Their police force is understaffed and jails over crowded,its a mess that is going to take town and political reform before the bulk of the physical clean up begins.

Answer 8

We can't blame modern life for what that storm caused. People lost their homes and most people here are worried about nature. I'm not saying not to be - because you should - but you should be just as concerned for the lives of people as the lives of nature's creatures. As I remind you, we are part of nature. New Orleans didn't mess with anything. They aren't the ones sending troops overseas to kill people on their own holy land. I am not a Bush - Hater, but honestly, he should be more concerned about what is going on in his own country than what's going on in another. New Orleans isn't cleaned up because our money and energy is being focused on the lives of people that if we had just let them be, and helped them some and not thrown our finances and military personnel into, then New Orleans would have returned to its original state by now. Downrate this comment if you wish but this question brings up an amazing point and I am happy to answer it.

Answer 9

Your are correct also we pay pro athletes and celebrities millions of dollars while we pay teachers still get little pay.

Plus our current president on same day he visits New Orleans wants $50 billion more to fight war in Iraq.

Answer 10

cleaned up? They need to fix it so this wont happen again. NO was told that the leves would give. They didnt' listen. They need to now. You really think they would. And uh sports stuff?? Forget it houses should come first. (Yes I'm a sports fan too)