Why rebuild New Orleans?

Sorry but, I live in NO and I have to clear some things up with you guys. Everyone down here knows that the real problem was the levees. The U.S Army Corps of Engineers was supposed to build them (I don't remember the exact number) 26 feet under the ground. They reported them built at 20 feet underground and when people went in to check after the Hurricane it was reavealed that they had actually only been built 13 feet underground! If a private company had built them then they would have gotten sued for, and lost a negligent homicide case. Despite the fact the Levees were way underbuilt, they still barely failed. They didn't even fail durning the hurricane, it happened the day after! Keep in mind this was from a near direct hit of one of the worst recorded hurricanes! So the real problem was the Levee system which I'm happy to report is being delt with. I'm looking out my window right now and I see giant floodgates being worked on. They may not be finished yet but we are way better off than we were in Aug. As for the people who say we should move. You just can't do that. If you move NO, it's not NO anymore. You can't rebuild the French Quarter (oldest neighborhood in the US). You can't rebuild these buildings that have been standing for 300 years and have it be the same. It just doesn't work that way.

[edit on 22-5-2006 by Johnnybgood87]

Originally posted by Johnnybgood87
As for the people who say we should move. You just can't do that. If you move NO, it's not NO anymore. You can't rebuild the French Quarter (oldest neighborhood in the US). You can't rebuild these buildings that have been standing for 300 years and have it be the same. It just doesn't work that way.

Well, tough. I totally understand what you are saying and yet, with the climate going the way it is (screwed up by global warming) and the city location very, very suboptimal, it needs to be abandoned with the exception of hurricane hardened port facilities. Workers can and should commute from a safe location.

I have a feeling that we'll see a Katrina remake in the next year or five, and at this point even the die hard NO fans will see the need to move on.

Johnny has a point. You can't just "move" the French Quarter. It wouldn't happen. You can't build a place up and wait 300 more years to say you live in a historic district. We live here, and I am actually happy to see another New Orleanian on here who can back up whats going on here.

I can say one thing, the amount of misinformation and stories that I am seeing on this thread from people that live in places like Europe, are astounding. Casinos was an idea put on the table, it wasn't a done deal. The storm didn't cause the problems with flooding, it was the shoddy job done by the Corps of Engineers. We know that, our paper reminds us every single day in some fashion. As Johnny has said, the levees are being worked on, so now the new danger is what is going to happen to the levees that didn't break, since the breaches now will be solidly reinforced from Katrina?

I personally will more than likely eventually be leaving the city, but I don't think the city should be moved away, torn down, or anything of that nature. I hope that us in New Orleans are much kinder when something happens somewhere else, because I think a lot of people don't know what it was like to have this happen to them.

On a lighter note, welcome to ATS Johnny! It looks like this was your first post judging by the points you have, but I hope you stick around! It would be nice to have another person from here to see around.

Yeah I lurk here alot but I hate to see people totally misinformed about whats going on down here so I have to speak out. As for the Levees, the ones Uptown and in the French Quater that didn't break are much, much better built than the ones in Lakeview/Gentilly. As I said eariler, they are building floodgates at all of the weak canals that were responsible for the flooding in the first place so those wont even be used anymore. As for NO east, there werent any levees there in the first place (well there is something they call a levee but I would call it a lump of dirt) and 15-20 years ago it was all swamp, I dont even see why people moved out there in the first place.

And as far as Katrina happening again, think of how many times it has happened (a direct hit on NO) since we have recorded hurricanes- once. The odds aren't very good. If a hurricane jogs to the east or west even a little we are safe. The odds of it happening this season are even worse. After another year the city will be 10 times better than it was before Katrina hit.

P.S. That 60 min article about the city sinking was mostly false.

[edit on 22-5-2006 by Johnnybgood87]

Yeah, I'm Marigny, so I really had nothing to worry about (except the wind causing my roof to cave in.) Along the river there was somewhat of a natural levee before the artificial one was built on top. Plus I'm above sea level here... well just above.

I mean, if a hurricane comes though, it comes, there's nothing that we can do to stop it anyway. I have been driving around to check out how the levees are being repaired, and it at least seems to look like they're doing a good job at it. So I am going to keep my hopes up. I think the city can very easily become a better place than before, so... we'll see.

I hope so man, I'm in Lakeview but my house didn't get flooded that bad thank god. But its not like hurricanes don't come through all the time, this is the only one i've ever evacuated for. I can see some minor hurricane barely touching us and everybody going crazy and running this summer. Should be good times . Can't wait to get my contraflow on.

[edit on 22-5-2006 by Johnnybgood87]

news.yahoo.com...

New Orleans is sinking FASTER than we thought.

New Orleans is
- below sea level
- next to the ocean
- in a bowl
- in 'hurricane country'
- and it's SINKING, and sinking faster than we thought.

Rebuild? Heck no. Relocate and let nature have back
that land it so obviously wants to reclaim.

They don't even have to relocate much, just move it off the Mississippi Delta, which is nothing more than a dumped out splay of silt and sediment.

I have no problem with them rebuilding the city, never have. My only problem is as a tax payer why should I have to pay for it? A storm that was worse hit in 1927 and all the Fed govt. did was loan them tents and stoves. Nothing more, this is a state issue not the Federals govt's job to rebuild. Sorry if I sound cold, but come on, you knew the risk when you built there, or moved there, or growing up there. How is it my problem? I live on the East Coast, and when a storm comes through my state is and my community members rebuild.

Originally posted by DennyCrane
I have no problem with them rebuilding the city, never have. My only problem is as a tax payer why should I have to pay for it? A storm that was worse hit in 1927 and all the Fed govt. did was loan them tents and stoves. Nothing more, this is a state issue not the Federals govt's job to rebuild. Sorry if I sound cold, but come on, you knew the risk when you built there, or moved there, or growing up there. How is it my problem? I live on the East Coast, and when a storm comes through my state is and my community members rebuild.

Agreed... well, to a degree. The difference between this and others is that there was shoddy work done federally by the Corps of Engineers. They have admitted it. When I left after the storm (on my own, I relied on only myself), I only brought 3 days worth of clothes. I had no idea it even flooded. A typical storm allows you to come back after a bit, assess your damage, and carry on. The biggest part of the destruction came from the levees breaking and homes flooding, with water that sat there for 2 weeks before draining out.

Nevertheless, however some of you may feel, your opinions are becoming rather a moot point, because we are rebuilding, my home will be finished in 2 weeks (from wind damage, not flood). So all the whining and crying about it being built is really nonsense being spouted off by those that have no say other than their single vote for political leaders. I know that sounds somewhat harsh, but I wouldn't tell any of you to ever forsake your home because I felt you should.

As for using "your" tax payer money, I'll try to be more positive when a disaster occurs somewhere else and federal tax dollars pour in. I haven't heard anyone asking for the abandonment of Dade County after Andrew either. I didn't realize they were "your" tax dollars. I thought they were "our" tax dollars.

You don't want it to be paid with your tax dollars? Fine, let us become our own little sovereign sinking nation, and we'll see how you like it when we tell you how much you pay for oil coming through our state, and all other goods coming through our port. We'll see how far the midwest gets without any of us here. It's really annoying how so many people from other places come here to get drunk out of their minds in the French Quarter, some to the point of puking their guts up, and obviously feel like they have to puke their guts up on New Orleans even when they have left the city.

niteboy you seem heated I wasn't there I'm only aware of what I saw on the news.
I do understand your wanting to stay its your home but where do you draw the line. Its not if NO will get flooded again its When. How many times will you put up with it. How is anybody going to be able to afford insurance when their below the water line. These are the same people that claim they couldn't afford to leave.
Is it really worth having to take such drastic measures as having an evacuation plan. Ther's no guarantee against mother nature this will happen again. How can you feel safe at home knowing that any minute all the hard work you've done can be washed away.
How can you take the chance of loosing it all again??
I'm not say don't rebuild I'm asking is it worth it?
good luck
peace

Originally posted by DennyCrane
Nothing more, this is a state issue not the Federals govt's job to rebuild.

Sorry but the Gov is the reason that the city was destroyed in the first place. This would have never happened if they built the levees right. The state is too broke to fix anything right now. They need the government's help and the government owes us for screwing the levees up so bad.

The major reasons to rebuild new orleans are mostly ecconomic. We get a ton of oil from the Gulf of Mexico and a lot of refineries are in the area. Also the mississippi river is nearby another important eccomomic factor.


And I think thats It. If Bushie was smart he'd say, "New Orleans is in an area where it is narturally underwater. If we totally rebuild it then some other president is going to have to rebuild it years down the road. Why dont we offer refugges their old houses in Sinkingvill back first, then build some houses in underpopoulated, but safer areas nearby. Or just take a ton of dirt, cover Old New Orleans with it, so we make a giant platform and build New New Orleans."

Don't be so "redundant" t your thought's!! It has it's place "Economically" but it is still where "People" hav e lived most of thier lives..

You don't know "Jack" about New Orleans, and if you did, "You would have a Heart."

Here.......Read this......"THen Comment.......K?"

en.wikipedia.org...

It is a ridiculous idea to rebuild NOLA. its a complete waist of time and money. Every one is saying oh it there home its all they know. What ever they are all gone and in Houston 47% of them according to ABC news have no need or want or plan to ever move back. Its just another political agenda pushed by white guilt and a bunch of threatening blacks. I have news for you blacks are ten time more racist than any white person. There is a mayor that stated he only wants black in his city. But that's fine why he is black. if i white person said lets make a vanilla city he would be removed imprisoned and god only know what else.

There were white people in Nola but you don't ever hear them crying about every thing. Just like always the white people just move on a deal with trouble on there own. It is only the blacks in Nola that are crying to get the government to rebuild their houses. Why am I paying crazy insurance premiums if the government will just come and rebuild my house after it is destroyed. Oh wait I am white so its left up to me to use my brain and have insurance sense i live near the coast. But if your black you deserve special treatment? that's funny I though blacks wanted to be treated equal. But ever time i turn around they want special treatment above all others. Use Google earth to look at Missippi It is still trashed but it was mostly white people so they just started fixing their places themselves. No government help, no Hand holding, just left alone to deal with it and they have and are. The only reason why NOLA got so much attention is because black start crying. And white guilt takes effect. NOLA is a waist it was there home they gave up on it and left and are not comeing back. Our worthless government needs to do the same strip it for parts and let it go. Want to see the new NOLA come to Houston and drive threw the south west side or any side at night then you will see NOLA. Remember to wear full body armor you will need it.

I am not racist I am truly equal. But blacks cant deal with equal. They want more. Life suck its a bitch to get buy every day for most of us. Difference between whites and blacks are simple when white fall our majority just gets back up and keep on trying. When a black falls they blame everyone but them selves, cry about it. threaten violence, and then get back up and start being criminals.

Why rebuild NOLA they have ll moved to Houston and it will soon be as trashed and corrupt as NOLA ever was. Sense they have gotten here it is a basic war zone all over or once relatively mellow city.

New Orleans was pretty much a ghetto anyhow. The only reason they want to rebuild there is so the real-estate bubble can keep going. Their future plans are to build hi-rise apartments and coastal beach houses that cost a fortune.

Many of the people there want to go back because its what they're used to and what they've known their whole lives, they are afraid of change. Change for the worse or better, they don't like it. It's human nature.

Originally posted by XS207
New Orleans was pretty much a ghetto anyhow.

Was, yes. Now? No. In fact the biggest conspiracies deal with how the "ghetto parts" of the city were the ones "allowed" to flood. Give me one shred of evidence that New Orleans is just a ghetto? Please, let me know, with my $600,000 apartment (what is was just appraised at).

The only reason they want to rebuild there is so the real-estate bubble can keep going.

The real estate "bubble" is going to pop as soon as some of the neighborhoods that were damaged are rebuilt. FEMA checks have ended, these people are putting out or staying out. I don't agree with it, but that is the way it is going. Oh wait, it's a ghetto, so how could we keep a ghetto real estate market going?

Their future plans are to build hi-rise apartments and coastal beach houses that cost a fortune.

You're kidding right? Coastal beach houses?!? Think about that, even I admit that those areas are sinking!!!

Many of the people there want to go back because its what they're used to and what they've known their whole lives, they are afraid of change.

Once again, are you for real?!? People don't like change, and that's why they want to come back? 80% of the city was destroyed, change is self evident, our lives will in fact never be the same. I think that all of us in some way have accepted that, why can't you accept the fact that we have?

Change for the worse or better, they don't like it. It's human nature.

That just confirms that you have absolutely no clue on what you're talking about.

Anyone can come on here and spew this without anything logical to back it up, your's was almost a rant.

Originally posted by hawk74
I'm not say don't rebuild I'm asking is it worth it?
good luck
peace

Hawk, I just moved back in, so now I can honestly answer that question. Is it worth it? Yeah, it's the first time I've truly felt this good since the storm hit. I finally feel like I'm back home, and even though the government is seriously struggling in many respects, the people are what always made New Orleans what it is, and it is coming back. No things will never be the same, but things wouldn't have been the same anyway, time changes it all, and we have adapted well to many changes as a people. Once again, I can't speak for the politicians, they can't apparently be held on par with the people that live here right now.

Alas, I am happier than I've been in a long time, so... It was worth it!

Maybe because Kuwait got built with precisely zero hassle and yet here we have a city that is easily worth more and yet it somehow takes forever. How about New Orleans not only gets rebuilt, but also better this time in a Singapore sort of way thereby giving the city and indeed the country a rather futuristic glow? Hesitation is for losers and as long as it's safe to do so, the city deserves way more respect by bringing the city to its former glory and then some. After all, the original Disneyland prominently features New Orleans for a reason.

New Orleans is being rebuilt because New Orleans is all that the people know. How would you feel if a natural disaster occured in your area and the government just decided to forget about your home town. The people there would not have it and would rebuild it theirselves. Right? That is exactly what is happening down here. People who have lived here their entire lives are rebuilding the city. Not the government. Sure the government is helping alot, but the workers and everthing are the people who only know New Orleans.