If you read the news, mainstream corporate news, it appears that the panic button worked. Mandatory evacuation for coastal residents, specially New Orleans, curfew between dusk to dawn, and threat of arrest for looters. Do I read this as a massive media campaign? Start and contain a panic.
Not oriented to conspiracy theories myself, how does one grasp what the true vs. perceived and or anticipated impact can be from this Category 3 hurricane.
Did anyone consider the real effect on the poor, who is the beneficiary of this large scale action. The price of gas has jumped at least 20 cents in the past few days. Gasoline stations are reporting to be running out of gas. The congested highways, were many folks sitting in gridlock have little else to do but worry about what can become, and not thinking about what they opened themselves up for.
Many of the folks who left, may have money reserve for incidences like these. How about those who don't. Some still await private insurance or federal support from Katrina to rebuild homes. Some do not have ready access to credit and may have little cash on hand. Some have no where to go but the shelters being quickly devised. Whether bussed or drive, many fleeing have little to no money available for what lies ahead. Where there water or food on the buses. Or are the evacuees to bring provisions they cannot afford, much less had time to collect. Where guaranteed water, safe living spaces,
For what is left of the middle/working class of New Orleans, evacuees will have to pay for gas, food, shelter, a total bill that could add up to more than $100 a day. They will be faced with long lines, rumors and fanned hysteria so that local, state and national governments can feel that they did some thing.
Why did we not fix some of the problems exposed by Katrina. Inequities can not be remedied in 3 years. However, the levee and canals could have been strengthened with the best technology available to withstand surges while looking to the Netherlands for a longer term solution.
Decent and affordable housing made available for those who can and want to work at reconstructing their neighborhoods. This would not have been a handout, rather a mens for people to regain dignity and be part of the solution to what is their own housing problems. Waiting for bids, proposals, cost projections, materials to be developed etc... 3 years later many in the city have not and cannot return because they may not have a home nor a community to return to.
I can only guess at the psychological and emotional devastation wreaked on those affected by Katrina. To be let down by an immobile government, profiteers bent on lining their own pockets, and do gooders.
I was informed that the state re-opened one health clinic in the city for a population reaching almost a million.
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