> And in 2003, the federal budget to complete the dykes was cut
> by 50% to fund the tax cut for the rich and the Iraq
> invasion. So the big, main dyke or levee was only 80%
> complete. Contractors are still owed $2 million for work
> completed.
It remains to be seen if the overtopping occured in the
uncompleted areas. Having experienced the 1993 floods along the
upper Mississippi, the truth is rarely told by the press. The
press will display an image of a break, tell the story about
funding cuts and let the viewer make the connection between the
two. The reality could be that the breaks happened where the
work was already done. We don't know yet. (but the press isn't
"lying" to us, uh huh).
In the case of one major break in 1993, it was caused by
sabatoge. Indirectly, though, that horrendous flood prevented
the immenent demise of a levy across the river protecting a
major industrial complex.
Modern Mississippi levy systems are designed to be "raised" in
emergencies by up to four feet. This requires a handfull of
bulldozers and the ability to access the areas in question. But
you've got to get the equipment and manpower in place. Without
bridges and roads It's hard to do it. Besides, you've got rogue
barges and other flotsam being blown around punching into the
levys too. It takes only one, during a floodstage to take out a
levy. It's also a matter of scale and scope. The breeches
started before anybody could even get to them and you can't stop
them until equalization occurs. This isn't the story of the
little dutch boy sticking his thumb in the dyke.
As to the crime, well, this isn't a case of good people turning
bad, this is bad people getting worse. The good people are
suffering at the hands of the bad people. New Orleans had an
incredibly high crime rate prior to the hurricane. Good people
don't suddenly get guns and start shooting at rescue
helicopters.
Does make me wonder if the president will in another invasion
force?
End of Rant.
AG
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