Just looking at this site makes me feel warm and fuzzy:

http://neworleans.craigslist.org/hhh/

Here is what I do not understand: we've already established that Louisiana is desperately poor. It was known for years that a serious disaster could, and most likely would, occur. In response to dire warnings about the probability of this catastrophe, the federal government, in cooperation with local authorities, started and funded projects to help prevent such a disaster. For ten years, these projects were in progress. Then, the Bush administration suddenly decided that it wasn't that important, despite protests from the nation's top engineers and disaster specialists. Shortly thereafter, the aforementioned disaster occurred. Much of the death and destruction could have been prevented, but instead, we're dealing with possibly the worst natural disaster in American history.

And you're not the slightest bit angry or upset at the government's actions? 

Quote from: am'rain on September 01, 2005, 07:33:41 AM

Quote from: LaneSwerver on September 01, 2005, 07:31:42 AM

Thank you. I think that information from a resident of the state is far more authoritative than news reports.

So because I live in Atlanta, I would automatically know more than an experienced reporter who has researched and writes about Vidalia, Georgia?

I come from an extremely political family.

I have more experience than you could imagine.

Yes, I think that I am a rare case. But I am completely positive that I know more than enough to back up every statement that I've made.

That's not my point. My point is that being a resident of a state doesn't make you automatically well-informed about everything that happens there.

Quote from: am'rain on September 01, 2005, 07:30:51 AM

I don't understand what this has to do with the topic, which is that the federal government cut funding to a crucial public safety project in Louisiana. OK, Louisiana is very poor. And...?

How many other "crucial public safety" issues ARE being funded?

We knew New Orleans was at risk.

There are people dying. A lot of them. Every day.

Oh! MAYBE we should allot money for the dying people first, rather than a "possibility" that has been a "possibility" since the city of New Orleans was built.

So you're saying that it was perfectly OK to cut funding to this project? That it wasn't that important to avert this disaster?

Only a few things in life piss me off.

And one of them is the fact that people who have absolutely no idea as to the economic position of the state of Louisiana like to "pretend" that they know "what is going on" in this state because, Oh! Something has happened there! I know every f-ing little thing about the state of Louisiana now!

Guess what? Louisiana has ALWAYS been completely destitute and without relief from much federal funding. It has ALWAYS in the top 5 for highest poverty rates. This entire state is so deep in debt, there is no light at the end of the tunnel. We have an incredibly high infant mortality rate, teen pregnancy rate, single-parent in poverty rate, and off the charts rates for just about every other negative issue you can imagine. Louisiana is virtually an unending cesspool of disease and poverty, and the bad areas far outweigh the good areas in this state. I've lived here for almost 21 years and been actively involved in state politics for the past 6 of those, so before you dismiss me as just another ranter, just rest assured that I know what I'm talking about.

This state is home to some of the poorest areas in the country, and most of this state could probably qualify as a third world country. This is not a new occurance. It has been like this for many many years, through many many administrations.

Go look up the data if you don't believe me, but don't play all f-ing high and mighty and pretend that you know everything about something you have never experienced.

This has been my rant.

And it's been a few days coming.

I don't understand what this has to do with the topic, which is that the federal government cut funding to a crucial public safety project in Louisiana. OK, Louisiana is very poor. And...?