Is it just me, or is anyone else ticked off @ New Orleans city government?
93169
It's a waste of our tax dollars. New Orleans is 60-65 feet below sea level. And is basically an island in a sense (picture a bowl in a bath tub full of water). Not to mention this is not the first time they had this storm. I feel no pitty for most of them down there. Nor do I support the fact my tax dollars are being wasted in New Orleans.\nI really think New Orleans and the the state it resides in. Should pay back money from tax payers over a period of time. Why you may ask? Because Stupidity is not an excuse.
798544
it's all about federal money.  the feds are giving your city money for taking in victims of hurricane Katrina.\n\nAlthough your city does get money from the federal government for the homeless, it isn't anywhere near the amount of funds for the Katrina victims.
376568
I agree with you, and I live in New Orleans. The chickens have finally come home to roost. Politicians have pushed their luck too far. Instead of doing the job right, they cut corners in the 1950's-the 1960's when the levees were built in order to fatten their own wallets, and now everyone who lives here is going to suffer for it.There will never be anyone prosecuted for this reprehensible act, because all those responsible are probably all dead by now.
201382
I was in New Orleans the day before Hurricane Katrina hit. When we were evacuating the city we passed by very poor neighborhoods. Most of the people living in those neighborhoods were African American. They were sitting on the porches waving to us. I asked my boyfriend why they weren't leaving and he said they didn't have enough money for gas, food, hotel etc.. I don't think its the entire black race that feels this way about it. Just those in New Orleans who did not have enough money to evacuate.
43433
As someone who deployed with the National Guard to Louisiana to help clean up, I can say without hesistation that Mayor Nagin and Governor Blanco are two of the most inept, incompetent public servants I have ever had the displeasure of working with. Some claim that they were just caught in a bad situation - Good leaders rise above the situation NO MATTER WHAT IT IS. Just like Mayor Guiliani.\n\nNo, Mayor Nagin is incompetent and should not be mayor. But just like the idiots who just re-elected Mayor Kilpatrick in Detroit, New Orleans will get exactly what it deserves if it does not find new leadership.
1153516
You're oviously not from New Orleans.  \n\nBush is an idiot, if you can't see that there is nothing I could say to prove it to you.
318354
yeah..its irritating.\nsome people do that intentionally.
223540
Man that is going to be a touchy subject. I am in Houston and I have friends and family on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.\nSo I have seen the devastation and the destruction and the free loading first hand.\nLet me fist say that not everyone in N.O. needs a hand out. Some are good honest people and had the sense God gave a fly to get out of dodge before the storm. They will do so again. The ones that did not are the problem..\nDid they learn their lesson the first time - we will see?\n\nHowever!... If they choose to go back and it is a choice. I.E. There are a LOT of N.O. residents that are now residents of H town that are not going back.\nAnyway... If they choose to go back it should be at their peril.\nContrary to what "lynn" thinks. The Government does not owe them anything. That has been the problem all along. Too many people feel the U.S. Government should pay for their losses. Ahhh have ya ever heard of insurance? If you didn't have it before and you are going back it should be REQUIRED. \nThe government is not a charity. It was not established to support and bail out the people who are to stupid to plan for an emergency. It is not like they did not know they were below sea level, it is not like they did not know a storm was coming. An accident is unexpected and catches you by surprise... a majority of N.O residents feel like this was an accident. \nHow many of them are willing to move back there and pay 2 or 3 times the taxes they were paying to build stronger levees and better drainage systems? I doubt many. So what... the rest of the tax paying U.S. is supposed to foot the bill?\nWRONG. \nIf they did not know before, they know now. N.O is below sea level and will flood. Anyone that rebuilds there should do so at their own expense and risk.\nI would be happy to come spend a few days "helping", that is what neighbors do... but do not expect me to pay for any aspect of your choosing to live there.\nIf I build my next home on the rail road tracks... there is a higher than probable chance that it is going to get hit by a train.... duh.\nThe people of the US and the US Gov. have given and given and are still giving... Don't expect us to do it again.\nAs to where are they supposed to go...\nAnywhere? As I said... there are lots of them here in Houston and to the best of my knowledge there are 49 other states to choose from. I mean come on... \nBurn me once shame on you, burn me twice shame on me. NO THEY GOV SHOULD NOT PAY TO EVACUATE THEM.\nDon't look for the free hand out. Make a better choice.\n\nAdditional Comments:\nI don't think anyone should NOT move back there. I do however think it should be at their own risk. Put it anyway you want... It is BELOW SEA LEVEL and building there INVITES problems. I just heard on the news not an hour ago that the cost to rebuild the levees is now over 10 Billion. \n\nThat money should not have to come from the federal Government and the rest of the citizens of the U.S. Nor should any future federal funds for the next time. The lessons have been taught and should have been learned. If you can't afford to insure your property to the level of replacement... you shouldn't live there and expect me to pay for it. \n\n\nGo ahead rebuild. I am all for it. As I said I would be happy to help. Point in case... I am leaving Tuesday 4/12 for my third trip back to Mississippi to help rebuild... So the work is not the issue. I just think the same values and nuances you and others are so fond of could be relocated to a safer place.\n\nBottom line it is not the buildings it is the people that make it.\n\nand Yes I have been there several times.
884004
Oh yes!!!\nI had a major hissy fit.
135529
Ok if no one else will be honest I will.  But, there are too many people to hate to name just one.  \nChild abusers, wife beaters, drunk drivers, criminals, drug users, drivers who talk on the cell phone while driving, smokers, actors and actresses who belive what they read in People, The French, judges who attempt to legislate from the bench, Osama Bin Laden and most of his friends, athletes who cheat with steroids, bullies, reporters who give more biased opinion than reporting on the news, New Orleans and Louisiana governments who have the nerve to blame the Federal Government for the ravages of Hurricane Katrina - when the Hurricane actually struck the coast of Mississippi and the most severe damage to New Orleans was caused by Lake Ponchatrain (sp) spilling its banks causing sodden and stressed levees to collapse which everyone for decades knew was going to happen, executives at NBC, the yankees, illegal aliens, people who think they are great just because they are tall,  people who inherit their wealth and think  they deserve what and who they are, Physicians who don't give their patients respect, Lawyers, Car salesmen, door to door salesmen (sorry girl scouts this includes you and your cookies),  dishonest car mechanics, Politicians, I could go on but I think I am running out of space.  Peace!!!
988639
f_chuck...\n My rights are being violated, as a New Orleans citizen.\nYour rights as an American period!\nwhat color they are wearing doesn’t mater ,what matters is the fact that we are staring down the barrel of automatic rifles, illegal stops and searches, and the overall military presence in the city.\n I listen to my police scanner, I hear what they are doing and saying, I travel all over the greater New Orleans area, everyday.\n \n and pam....you should Google a little before you comment!\nthis is not the first place the National guard has done this, Knoxville, New Mexico, all over. \n \nA few months ago, during Katrina (when the police ran like sissies) maybe their presence was a little more understood, overboard considering the rescue crews but somewhat understood.\n\nSo the same guns that protect our boarder, are the same guns pointed at our kids in New Orleans...\n\nAs far as the Mayor goes, I kinda agree as most politicians are just a pawn in the over all bigger, more sinister plan. He does still make decisions that affect me directly.\n\nJust to answer the question you’re asking now! No, I’m not a criminal, I’m a white female law abiding citizen that wouldn’t violate a single law. It's not just the stereo types being affected by the new police state, it's anyone with chrome wheels, on the streets after dark, anyone that stands out in any way.\n\n I guess if 60% of New Orleans wasn’t still destroyed almost a year later, more New Orleans citizens would have the internet and ability to comment on this sad situation.
1181314
The people of New Orleans!! I want to say up front I have nothing to do with that cespool of sucmbags. Save the money, & let the "Chocolate City" turn into Atlantis......\n\n6/27/06 The lawlessness, the disfunction, the looters, killers. Hell now they need the National Guard to protect a city with fewer people than before. The Mayor is useless and the football team sucks. Do I need more?
1023670
No.  If government does anything, it should help to make more rental properties available to increase the supply.  This will reduce rents and help restore the city.  The city owns/holds many properties considered blighted.  This is from before Katrina.  Sell these off or clean them up and rent them out.\n\nTake other abandoned homes and do the same.  Encourage small business contractors to renovate rental units with grants, SBA loans, etc.  New Orleans banking is unique and steeped in history.  Maybe these local businesses can also help with easy loans and expedited processes.\n\nHow about take some of the empty projects (which are neat buildings) and partner with developers to renovate them into mixed-use housing?\n\nNew Orleans cannot afford any more government handouts, as they take decades to identify much less remove.
759866
the gove of the state declares a state of emergency, at which time the feds can step in -- until that time - the feds are hands off.  this is pretty much what happened in new orleans.  the mayor was told as was the govenor in advance to declare a state of emergency - they would not and thus didn't do so until days after the landfall of katrina.  when florida is poised to get a direct hit - we've had the state of emergency called a good 3 days in advance.  this readies the state emergency agengies and pull national gaurds and the first responders and has them ready and waiting in the wings!\n\nif this was not the case - then the feds could step in for every little thing. this is not the way American gov't is run.  people would scream if the feds stepped in and made the decisions and yet, when the locals screw up they expect the feds to take care of it -- it can't be both ways!
1052108
Because too many of them have taken advantage of the system.  I've been to New Orleans there are so many jobs now it is crazy.  Construction and restaurant jobs are bountiful.  My question to you is, what percentage of those "victims" ever took care of themselves before?  How many relied on the government before the storm.  Why is it that other areas devastated by the storm have begun their recovery.\nWhy should the federal government have to endow these people with never ending aid?   I have many friends who have lost everything from Katrina.  They took the feds help to get restarted and now are rebuilding their lives.  \nAt some point in time you must take care of yourself.
1074777
It's not entirely about politicians, though I agree that they do play a role. First of all, the majority of people affected by hurricane Katrina were poor and black. What is the race and economic status of most of the flood victims? Many of the people in New Orleans could not afford or didn't have opportunity to leave town. It is much easier to escape a flood than 100+ winds, flying debris, combined with flooding. I agree that Mayor Nagin should have done more to help people evacuate, but hindsight is always 20/20. I don't think he had any malacious plans, but he certainly didn't handle the situation properly. It is not a north vs. south thing so let's not make it about that. We are all citizens of the same country. Let's focus on helping those in need and not making controversy and comparisons where they are not needed.
966574
I was pleased to see your question mentioned the "areas" affected and not just New Orleans.  New Orleans damage was not inflicted by the hurricane, but the levy breach.  The Mississippi Gulf Coast was decimated.  There are still residents who do not yet have a FEMA trailer, and its 14 months plus after the fact.  There are many insurance companies who are not paying because the damage was "flood" damage, and not covered.  HELLO!  The "flood" was caused by a hurricane!!!!!\n\nNo, the government has not done enough.  They have spent far too much time worrying about how to go about it and too little time getting their proverbial hands dirty and actually doing the work.  Church and college groups in this area are continuing to go down and help with demolition and rebuilding - weekly.  There are still mountains of debris that has not been removed.  \n\nThis Thanksgiving and Christmas season, there are thousands of families who are facing their second holiday season without a real home, and still with no answers from the federal government, state government or their insurance companies.  And the national media continues to focus on "New Orleans".  Our nation lost National Historic Sites on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, "Beauvoir", the home of Jefferson Davis being one of them.  Major damage in the state of Mississippi extended as far inland as Jackson, Meridian and even as far north as Tupelo and New Albany.  The scope of this was diminished in the national media, and has largely been relegated to history by many American citizens.  It is not history to the residents who are living in FEMA trailers, or tents, still fighting insurance companies, still have no jobs because the companies are not back up and running - I could go on and on.\n\nSo, no, I think the government has done a grave disservice to those citizens who were left homeless, jobless, and in many cases only with the clothing on their backs by Katrina.  And these "celebrities" keep showing how they have built this house or that house - there is still tons to do.  This problem is not fixed - not by a long shot.