Quote:
Originally Posted by UGAalum94
It's not on the regularly schedule thread, but New Orleans is interesting to think about.
I think people look at the scale of the destruction and want to assign blame because it makes them think that we can control and master elements of nature in the future. We really can't and it's a lesson we've learned over and over again, usually in individual cases but here collectively.
(Generally, I think people favorable compare the response of the government to Katrina with the response to Camille. )
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The Dutch have mastered the whole "land below sea level" thing. It can be done, and is no more unthinkable then sending a man to the moon. It does require modern infrastructure. The Army Corps of Engineers seems to screw up everything they touch - but others have been successful with levees.
I don't know that the Katrina/Camille comparison is valid, simply because of the difference in population and development. I'm from Texas/LA Gulf coast families on my father's side, Florida Atlantic coast on my mom's - we've been through our share of hurricanes. Carla hit my grandparents (they were two blocks from the Gulf) and my father still tells stories about Beulah. So to me, it's personal. One advantage of having a family history of dealing with hurricanes - we get the hell out of the way. After trying to sit through Carla, my grandparents learned. LEAVE.
And I'm still voting for Ron Paul.