The devastating influence of Hurricane George

Washington knew how to protect New Orleans
"Washington knew exactly what needed to be done to protect the citizens of New Orleans from disasters like Katrina. Yet federal funding for Louisiana flood control projects was diverted to pay for the war in Iraq. "
AlterNet: Why the Levee Broke

The devastating influence of Hurricane George
"As Sidney Blumenthal points out, 'Every two miles of wetland between the Crescent City and the Gulf reduces a surge by half a foot.' Even though he was aware of this, in 2003 Bush allowed developers to destroy the sensitive wetland areas that buffer the coast. It was the equivalent of taking the seat-belts, air bags, and bumpers off a car and then driving the opposite way on the freeway. The disaster was just the predictable outcome of dreadfully flawed policies."
uruknet

Why New Orleans is in deep water
" ... in June, Bush took his little ax and chopped $71.2 million from the budget of the New Orleans Corps of Engineers, a 44 percent reduction. As was reported in New Orleans CityBusiness at the time, that meant 'major hurricane and flood projects will not be awarded to local engineering firms. Also, a study to determine ways to protect the region from a Category 5 hurricane has been shelved for now.'"
Chicago Tribune

Katrina comes home to roost
"A year ago the US army corps of engineers proposed to study how New Orleans could be protected from a catastrophic hurricane, but the Bush administration ordered that the research not be undertaken. After a flood killed six people in 1995, the Congress created the Southeast Louisiana Urban Flood Control Project. Operated by the corps of engineers, levees and pumping stations were strengthened and renovated. In 2001, when George Bush became president, the Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a report stating that a hurricane striking New Orleans was one of the three most likely potential disasters - after a terrorist attack on New York City. But by 2003 the federal funding essentially dried up as it was drained into the Iraq war. By 2004, the Bush administration cut the corps of engineers' request for holding back the waters of Lake Pontchartrain by more than 80%. By the beginning of this year, the administration's additional cuts, reduced by 44% since 2001, forced the corps to impose a hiring freeze."
Guardian Special Report

Politicizing a tragedy
"So to any Conservative hacks out there who want me to stop “politicizing the hurricane,” I understand what you really mean is you want me to stop trying to prevent Bush and his cohorts from politicizing the hurricane. But it’s not going to happen. Bush isn’t going to be getting a free ride this time."
Carpe Datum

Michael Moore to the Disaster President
"I especially like how, the day after the hurricane, instead of flying to Louisiana, you flew to San Diego to party with your business peeps."
AlterNet

Congress: Hold Bush Accountable on Failed Katrina Response (workingforchange.com)

Categories: hurricane, katrina, orleans, bush, dubya