[Sheri257]

Originally Posted by sockmonkey70

I don't know why you would say it is stupid. If a proper system is implemented, the city can be salvaged. If you have never been to New Orleans, then you just wouldn't understand why it is so important to so many people.

Actually, I grew up in New Orleans. For years I listened to warnings about a Katrina type disaster and realized they weren't going to do anything about it. Our basement flooded all the time ... I wasn't going to wait until it got much worse. That's why I moved. Eventually, that entire city is going to be completely under water.

Anybody who's lived there for any length of time knows the problem will never be fixed. They just always hoped it would never happen in their lifetime. Well ... it did and yet they still won't face reality.

If anyone has actually lived in New Orleans and, more importantly, experienced Lousiana politics first hand ... you know for a fact that they'll never fix it. This will just provide more money for the politicians to steal ... no question about it.

[Raeth]

Originally Posted by Sheri257

This is crazy ... plain and simple. The coastline around New Orleans is gone ... there are now seagulls flying around the city ... that never used to be the case before Katrina. When the next big storm hits, everyone knows it's going to be even worse than Katrina.

Instead of rebuilding an inevitable future catastrophe, that money should be used to help get those people out of there for good before the next disaster strikes.

I've never understood this ... the entire city is below sea level and floods on a regular basis. How many more warning signs do you need before people face reality? Why pour more money into an inevitable catastrophe? For nostalgia's sake?

When the next big one hits ... then we'll be asked to spend even more money to save the "victims." I'm sorry and I'll probably be flamed for saying this ... but if people are stupid enough to want to rebuild that city after what happened ... I just don't sympathize with them.

Regardless, those people still need healthcare.

I'm not even a big fan of the place, but having been in LA when Katrina/Rita hit... I saw how horribly everything was handled. My wife was in the army and sent down to help with shelters... it was insane.

Anyways, I hope it works to get better healthcare in the area.

[Sheri257]

Originally Posted by Raeth

Regardless, those people still need healthcare.

True but ... what I am arguing is that the priority should be to get them outta there first, then take care of their healthcare.

New Orleans is literally a sinking ship. Every time it even just rains (which is a lot) the city literally sinks further and further below sea level. Even before Katrina happened the city was losing 6 percent of it's population every year.

And, of course, this is assuming that this money would actually reach the people (or nurses for that matter). New Orleans and, Louisiana overall, is a third world country. It's not like other places in the U.S. where you can at least get something for your tax dollars.

By the time the politicians skim their payoffs and such off the top ... there probably won't be much left to actually help these people. In Louisiana, they don't even bother to conceal the corruption because it's business as usual there.

[gitterbug]

No matter how much money they throw at people, New Orleans is not an option for many physicians or other medical professionals. I know those people who live there need care, but I am just one of thousands who does not want to take a chance on losing my life when the next big storm hits.
I agree that the whole episode is a disgrace too many people suffered, but I cannot go and work there, for any amount of money.

[pickledpepperRN]

It is not realistic to think the population of an American city will be forcefully removed.

People are there. They need healthcare.

[Sheri257]

Originally Posted by spacenurse

It is not realistic to think the population of an American city will be forcefully removed.

People are there. They need healthcare.

I'm not talking about forcing them ... I'm talking about using the money to give them incentive and to help them move.

Great ... here's some healthcare but ... btw ... try not to drown during the next hurricane.

And be sure to dodge those bullets when the looters take control of the city again ... although there's plenty of bullets to dodge right now since the crime is out of control ...

The whole thing is ludricrous.

[tddowney]

Originally Posted by sockmonkey70

I don't know why you would say it is stupid. If a proper system is implemented, the city can be salvaged. If you have never been to New Orleans, then you just wouldn't understand why it is so important to so many people.

I have been to NO a few times. My view is that the people to whom it is so important should open the old pocketbook and shell out for its salvation. After all, if there are so many of them, it shouldn't be too expensive for anyone.

Then there is no need to force taxpayers to bail out what will remain a very vulnerable city.

[tddowney]

Of course while we're spending billions on flood control for a city under sea level, that money won't be available for other things like health care, education, etc.

Unless one believes in a fantasy world of unlimited resources.

[sockmonkey70]

Originally Posted by Sheri257

. New Orleans and, Louisiana overall, is a third world country. It's not like other places in the U.S. where you can at least get something for your tax dollars.

I am assuming you have visited both a third world country and Louisiana? Because I live in one, and have visited the other...and well..that's not a good comparison. I don't appreciate ignorant assumptions about a state I have grown up in and really love. I know the politics here are pretty screwed up, but we are NOT third world country.

Originally Posted by tddowney

Of course while we're spending billions on flood control for a city under sea level, that money won't be available for other things like health care, education, etc.

Unless one believes in a fantasy world of unlimited resources.

Well if you haven't noticed, Louisiana isn't getting money for healthcare and education anyway (or it's not being used for that anyway)..and they probably won't. So what's the harm.

Originally Posted by gitterbug

I know those people who live there need care, but I am just one of thousands who does not want to take a chance on losing my life when the next big storm hits.

So many people lost their lives in Katrina because the economic demographics of New Orleans. The majority of the people that died didn't have cars to leave, what choice did they have? Walk? They are just living the way they have for generations, and they don't know any better. Of course their are middle and upper class sections, but those people weren't nearly as affected because they had the means and moeny to get out of there.

I am utterly shocked at the lack of compassion you guys show. These people still need help, two years later. There is still devastation and rubble everywhere.

[caroladybelle]

Originally Posted by sockmonkey70

So many people lost their lives in Katrina because the economic demographics of New Orleans. The majority of the people that died didn't have cars to leave, what choice did they have? Walk? They are just living the way they have for generations, and they don't know any better. Of course their are middle and upper class sections, but those people weren't nearly as affected because they had the means and moeny to get out of there.

I am utterly shocked at the lack of compassion you guys show. These people still need help, two years later. There is still devastation and rubble everywhere.

There is NO lack of compassion here. If anything, we are showing more compassion, to question why we are endangering more people by enabling to stay in an area that is still inherently unsafe.

It is actually less compassionate to rebuild without correcting the problems that caused the Katrina deathes. Let's just kill off another thousand or more people by encouraging them to stay or come to an area that deadly.

I love NO, and feel nothing but sympathy for them. So why would I encourage more people to go there/stay there and die, the second time or the third time around. That is hardly "compassionate".

I love NO and its culture, but dead children, men and women, and bodies in the street may overshadow that culture, if we aren't careful. Do you want that to be NO legacy?

And the people of NO continue to permit unethical politicians in their jobs, as well as those that encourage racial division. And vote them in. We don't vote for them, they do. And they are responsible for that portion of the problem.

Fix the levee system, get and then, expect health care to be built up. They probably would not have to pay that much. But to encourage HCWs to go to an area with that AG, those forprofit hospitals, and that amount of physical danger is foolhardy.

Carolina (who survived Camille with her family in the attic and has survived and worked more hurricanes than she cares to admit).