Clinic, 9th Ward, New Orleans

I visited the 9th Ward. 9 out of 10 houses are still unlivable. The

few people who remain are mostly living in trailers. Except for the

houses that line the main road, the devastation goes on for block

after block in all directions.

A haunting documentary shot!

Maybe I'll stop lurking. :-) I have to say that I was in New Orleans for the first time this summer. I came in from Mississippi from I-10, driving west directly into the city. The interstate was backed up (I didn't realize that it was a Friday night home game pre-season for the Saints) and I had lots of time to just look. And, let me tell you, merely looking at the devastation from the interstate had me in tears. I realized that it was the second anniversary weekend, too. Two whole years, and the miles and miles of devastation ... simply amazing that it could be our country like this.....

I've seen pictures of war zones in Beirut and Kosovo that looked no different.

 

Last night I was talking with a woman who billed herself as a devout Christian. I told her what I had seen. Her response: "These things happen. Not much you can do." I told her I thought the government (of the people) should simply bite the bullet and rebuild it. "Oh no, that's not their job."

 

I guess not. I guess it's nobody's job. And yes I have contributed money for rebuilding in the past, but I don't think it's been used very well.

 

I seem to remember that congress earmarked $14 billion for Katrina recovery. In God's name where did the money go?

it's one of those things that, every time I attempt to contemplate it, I have a very difficult time wrapping my arms around the thought process... I would consider myself a devout Christian, too. And my heart aches for all of those lost lives, lost homes, lost livelihoods ... can't begin to imagine such devastation in my life ... yeah, I guess it happens, but it breaks my heart when confronted with it ... and I find myself wondering what can I do, even if it's a drop in the bucket, to help.....

It costs $60,000 for Habitat for Humanity to build a house. Why can't the White House put Jimmy Carter in charge of rebuilding, throw a couple hundred million at him (less than we spend in one day in Iraq) and simply fix the whole thing up? I just don't get it.

 

Jazz came out of the 9th Ward. Rock and Roll came out of the 9th Ward. (Fats Domino was almost killed when he was trapped in the flood). It may not have been much to look at before Katrina, but it was one of the greatest cultural repositories this country had. And that culture is about to vanish in a great diaspora.

 

If there was a flood in the Metropolitan Museum and all the artwork was damaged, I am sure money would flow in to restore them. As an American institution New Orleans was just as important. Can't people see that?

 

I am seriously thinking of moving to Europe, although these days they probably won't take me.

Edward, this photograph says it all - more than 24 months later! An interesting and enlightening thread you've got going (although, I am not sure that the 'right' people are being enlightened). This really illustrates why we all must simply use our votes wisely. First, vote! Second, see if we all cannot coalesce behind a president who will be president of all of the people; not just some. I think what is going on in this country, and around the world, in the name of this country are crimes against humanity. Let us all hope for a much better start here in 2008! Cheers! Chris

Ed - tell me why specifically Jimmy Carter...

Jimmy Carter has been the primary push behind Habitat for Humanity, I believe, from its inception. He has done more for disadvantaged peoples from all around the world than just about anybody else; and Habitat for Humanity has been one of his signature programs. Pretty amazing, a man in his 80s, still swinging a hammer and taking such a prominent role in his goal of restoring families to homes. Cheers! Chris

Carter has built thousands of homes for poor and displaced families around the country. He really had a brilliant idea with Habitat. The houses are designed in such a way that ordinary people can do 80% of the construction. The homeowners build most of the house themselves. Outside contractors are brought in just for plumbing and electricity. Carter calls it "sweat equity".

 

I used to live in a pretty bad neighborhood. Habitat came in and built about 50 houses. These acted as a magnet for business and other renovations. Withing two years the neighborhood had completely turned around.

Thanks for clarifying that, guys ... I didn't realize that Habitat was a Jimmy Carter thing. You're right - they should put him in charge!