As diaried here, there is going to be an attempt to celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans this year. Is it possible that it is too soon after Hurricane Katrina to do so?
I have uneasy feelings about this article, for the following reason: it is prior to the State of the Union Address. Is it possible that speech will be used to “reassure” his “loyal” supporters that all is under control?
Specifically,
President Bush traveled to a still-ravaged Gulf Coast Thursday after three months away, promising that a building boom is on its way and encouraging other Americans to visit, too.
Bush’s visit to New Orleans and Mississippi was part of a series of events to showcase his priorities leading up to the State of the Union address. He said he was committed to rebuilding communities devastated from Hurricane Katrina.
Description of damage
thousands of snapped trees, debris still hanging from limbs and lots emptied of their buildings. There were almost no intact structures _ in most cases only concrete foundations were left _ and little evidence of rebuilding…”There’s no homes to repair,” Bush said. “It’s just been flattened. That’s what the people of America have got to understand.”…Many New Orleans neighborhoods are still abandoned wastelands, with uninhabitable homes, no working street lights and sidewalks piled with moldy garbage. The levee system is as vulnerable as ever. Barely a quarter of the 400,000 people who fled have come back, demographers estimate.
continued
Today, Bush also trumpted (pun intended) the New Orleans that once was by saying,
“It may be hard for you to see, but from when I first came here to today, New Orleans is reminding me of the city I used to come to visit,”…”It’s a heck of a place to bring your family. It’s a great place to find some of the greatest food in the world and some wonderful fun…”And for folks around the country who are looking for a great place to have a convention, or a great place to visit, I’d suggest coming here to the great New Orleans.”
Also approximately $25 billion of the $85 billion that was made available for the recovery and rebuilding efforts has been spent, with much of the work being done by the private sector. However, some of the funding for the levee has been diverted. And of course, that is all Congress’ fault. If he didn’t invade Iraq, and run up monstrous costs (in terms of dollars), is it possible that the funding would not have been diverted?
The article has an interesting conclusion:
Before returning to Washington Thursday night, Bush planned to attend a Republican National Committee fundraiser at the sprawling oceanfront estate of Dwight Schar in Palm Beach, Fla. Schar is CEO of NVR Homes, a major homebuilder and mortgage banking company, and co-owner of the Washington Redskins football team. He raised more than $200,000 for Bush’s re-election campaign.
