As I sit in front of the TV and watch the water crashing into the foot-thick levy in the Lower 9th, one thought comes to mind: there is a man-made solution to this problem. As I understand it, the levy is 4 feet lower than it should be. If the water is cresting the Levy by a foot, it seems to me that a 4-foot higher Levy would do the trick.
Without a doubt, you will hear people start saying, "Why would people move back? Why does the government keep spending my tax dollars on an indefensible city? Shouldn't we just require that people live 100 miles inland?
In this rare circumstance, it is ok to answer a question with a question: Why aren't the levy's built the right way? What kind of government knows of solutions (affordable solutions, at that) and fails to provide them? Why is there such a disconnect between the will of the American people (as evidenced by the 8,000 citizens who have volunteered with us and the 1 million or more volunteers who have worked in the Gulf) and the actions of our government?
When we finally get down to an answer, I think that it goes something like this: New Orleans is an American City (1/3 of our oil comes through New Orleans). It is a city that has been inhabited for hundreds of years. It is a protectable city. And protecting the city with appropriate levies would cost less and provide a more certain and beneficial result for American citizens than fighting what seems like an unwinnable and never-ending war in the other Gulf (and one thing is sure, no single American soldier would be killed by building appropriate levies in New Orleans).
That is it for now. The next post will focus on the people of St. Bernard and my thoughts about why it is so very important to protect their community and way of life.
Pls share thoughts and responses.
-Zack
12 comments:
Hey Zack,
I'm sure in the next few days we'll hear exactly what you have described from people who don't know the rich and precious culture of southern Louisiana, or understand how easily solvable it is. I know you guys will be really busy in the coming days but have you thought about putting the essence of this post into an Op-Ed for the New York Times or the Washington Post? With all the voices that will be clamoring for us to abandon New Orleans people need to hear the counterargument.
I agree with Ash. And in the Washington Post people should be invited to hear more at the fund raiser in DC on Sept 8. If you cant be there because of duties in Louisiana, there are others who can explain this to the people who come. Dont cancel the Sept 8 event, no matter what.
Hey Zack, I just wanted to wish you guys the best down there, and know that my commitment to the project remains as strong as it ever was.
Email as soon as you guys get back and I'll be here to help in any way I can.
Sincerely,
Christopher Hillard
While i can appreciate your point Liz, the problem is much greater than anyone would suspect. You're correct in that it's manmade. There is something going on and no one wants to believe it. It is almost noon during Gustav ridden New Orleans and there are two NAVY BARGES in the industrial canal again, just like last time. They "got loose" according to the media and are pinned up against the Florida Ave. wharf. They were obviously put there on purpose, or they'd be safely locked up as of days ago. Too bad some things never change. Hurricanes aren't our problem, corruption, government and big interests are. Everyone: continue to turn a blind eye to it instead of being infuriated the way you all should be. Good luck to all.
Hi Zack, Liz, SBP staff and supporters,
I have to admit that it is not easy to watch the news right now. I own the Volunteer House in Violet (http://www.volunteerhouse.org).
As a family we made a commitment to rebuild the parish, bring groups each year to work at SBP, and make a difference in the lives of the residents. I have toiled endlessly to educate and advocate for the citizens of the St Bernard Parish. I had a few people approach me at church yesterday they asked “are you ready to admit that the area should not be rebuilt”…I asked them “how would they feel if someone told them they could not live their community”…they just did not get it.
Yesterday, our Violet neighbors across the street called us…they could not hold back the tears as they locked-up their home and evacuated the parish. They are a young family that has spent the past year rebuilding their first home. I could feel their anguish and sense their hearts sinking…they asked us to pray that our homes are spared.
I am still planning on bringing my groups to work in the parish….I just wonder if I will be putting my Volunteer House back together first. We are just waiting to see what will be the final outcome of the storm. As soon as we can, we will be in St Bernard Parish to access the damage.
Remember…..Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. (Dale Carnegie)
Zak and Liz, You remind me of a famous quote; (sic).."Thousands of Candles can bit lit be a single candle"...
Words can not descibe the light you have shone on the great hard-working people of St. Bernard. You are special indeed. May we be spared from Gustave and those storms that follow, and Godspeed to the RECOVERY.
And remember, You are punished, not of your anger, but by your anger. We will provile.
All Best - Robert
Hi Zack and Liz,
Thank you for helping to keep us informed. It is easy to stay informed about the storm, but it's the people, homewoners and volunteers that we worry about. I know that you will all be back as soon as you can, so please be safe.
Hi Zack and Liz,
We are all hoping and praying that NOLA survives Gutav's fury. There is no doubt your organization will continue helping those displaced.
I am looking forward to my annual volunteering next May with St.Bernard Project. While volunteering this past March, my then-thirteen year old daughter, Ashley, was very moved by the magnitude of destruction that Hurricane Katrina caused, as well as the continued efforts of everyone involved with the rebuilding of a great city. She learned that regardless of the destruction, reconstruction is possible when people continue to work together. She was extremely happy to lend a hand and mature at the same time. She learned many valuable life lessons along the way.
I made a promise to the many friends that I made while in New Orleans, regarding their wonderful city rich in culture, history, and an abundance of 'Southern Hospitality', that if someone asked "Why would anyone want to return to New Orleans?", I would reply "Why not?" One visit is all it takes to completely understand what I mean.
Thank you for making the world a much better place.
Sincerely,
John Meyers
Hilliard, Ohio
Hi Zack & Liz and all of SBP,
New York is sending good thoughts and prayers your way...may everyone who is touched by Gustav not feel forgotten. You are in our hearts. Thanks for your updates.
--Regina Cronin, SPB volunteer Thanksgiving week 2007
Zak, Liz and all of SBP,
My prayers go out to everyone directly affected by Gustav (and possibly Hannah).
Last April I was moved to tears when I witnessed the destruction that was still so prevelant in Chalmette and the areas close by. Once I met with Liz and Andrea at SBP, I knew I'd made the right choice of how to spend my Spring vacation. We all have helping hearts which explains the intense desire to return (or even move there and start our own Project!). It's so very hard to see what we've seen and and hear the stories and NOT want to go back to help some more.
If anyone from Wisconsin reads this, I'm working on getting a group together for a trip back to NOLA over Christmas this year. There is no better way I can think of to spend my time and money in the true spirit of giving.
God Bless.
Stacey
Starting this blog is just another example of the way that SBP keeps thinking, adapting and acting no matter what...just like the residents of da Parish.
Here are some updates on local residents: I spoke to Dagmar and John this pm. They have evacuated to a hotel in Laurel MS,actually joking that they are on their second honeymoon! Dagmar had updates on a few residents that frequent Camp Hope. Sandra is in Birmingham AL. Tommy and Joyce are in Jacskson MS with friends.
I am already hearing the "why rebuild" questions. I attempt to find something that each person can relate to. I just asked my neigbor, who has worked for the Govt for 25 years and is less than a year from retirement, where he would live and work if OUR town was destroyed and "they" decided WE should not rebuild. No answer, but it made him think. Some people seem to only relate to the ecomomic impact. Educate yourself on the facts so that you can make this connection for those people. Coastal Louisiana supports the nations largest port system, 30 percent of the seafood and 25 percent of the nation's oil and gas supply.
The solution involves more than the levees. Louisiana lost aprox 2,000 square miles of wetlands between 1932 & 2000, a landmass the size of Delaware. Navigational channels such as the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) encourage erosion and intensify the effect of storm surges.
Wear your SBP and New Orleans t-shirts proudly this week and spark some conversations in your home town.
St. Bernard, as always, will be in my thoughts...
Kathy Collins
Chicageaux
I think the main problem is not just how the government is run, but our economic system too. Our very progressive, yet very restrictive capitalist economy is aimed at people who have a lot of money and are willing to spend it. Unfortunately, New Orleans has lost an enormous amount of money because of Katrina and requires some very basic needs that big companies aren't selling. This is why New Orleans is being ignored by the narrow minded, selfish capitalist companies.
This can be solved by 'creative' capitalism, which involves companies changing their business plans and marketing to appeal to the more basic needs of those destroyed by Katrina in the gulf coast. Big companies can easily provide drugs, shelter, building materials, music, and clothes with a little creative thinking. A perfect example is the Project RED that raised money for AIDS and HIV in Africa. The same fundraising/sponsorship can be done for New Orleans. It can also save the culture and jazz that New Orleans is known for by putting a musician on a t-shirt and having some profit go to New Orleans. The government is partially at fault for not putting a priority on New Orleans, but the real enemy is the blind big businesses for not recognizing ways to help one of the most important areas in the nation.
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