Suspending Reality

After Katrina the Dunce in Chief responded to a spike in petrol prices by suspending environmental requirements that reduce pollution. Facing another run up in prices, he's doing the same thing again. In some ways it's not so stupid, one of the reasons prices are so high is that these environmental controls are increased in the summer to protect our environment--the oil companies for some reason are struggling to comply this year. (I can assure you that in neither case were the oil companies upset this barrier was removed. They would do it as routine if it saved them money, whether they could charge for it or not.) However, this is a cynical response to high prices. With record profits, Bush manages to find a way to increase them further at the expense of the environment. Just as the American people (if not the government) are catching on to global warming, Bush finds another way to damage it further. Speeding up global warming will only increase the economic impact of storms like Katrina.

A better way to approach the current cost of oil would be to address the route causes. The primary one is instability in the Middle East. The latest increase was caused directly by the Dunce's threat to nuke Iran, one of the world's leading oil producers. And of course the continued debacle in Iraq isn't helping any either. The cynical side of me is beginning to wonder if this is all a happy coincidence for the oil companies.

What really happened in those secret energy meetings with Dick and the oil barons back in 2001? Were they plotting this whole thing? Use the might of the US military to destabilise the Middle East and drive up oil prices? That way Bush's oil buddies in Texas and Saudi Arabia can back up their money trucks to our ATMs and start shovelling. It's brilliant! This latest move even gives further handouts to the oil companies by again threatening to open up AMWAR (which is owned by you and me) to the oil companies, with all proceeds going to big oil rather than the US treasury. This is a cynical explanation for what we are seeing, but it explains so much.

Shantytowns

I am not amused by the recent article in Slate advocating the development of shantytowns in New Orleans. It is true that economic redevelopment is being stymied by a slew of rules and regulations that hinder the ability of homeowners to return and rebuild. Tyler Cowen in Slate envisions a future where after the 9th Ward is razed, if regulations were suspended “entrepreneurs” would put up less-expensive buildings – or shantytowns.

To be sure, the shantytowns could bring socioeconomic costs. Yet crime, lack of safety, and racial tension were all features of New Orleans ex ante. The city has long thrived as more dangerous than average, more multicultural than average, and more precarious than average for the United States. And people who decide the cheap housing isn't safe enough will be free to look elsewhere—or remain in Utah with their insurance checks.

Shantytowns might well be more creative than a dead city core. Some of the best Brazilian music came from the favelas of Salvador and Rio. The slums of Kingston, Jamaica, bred reggae. New Orleans experienced its greatest cultural blossoming in the early 20th century, when it was full of shanties. Low rents make it possible to live on a shoestring, while the population density blends cultural influences. Cheap real estate could make the city a desirable place for struggling artists to live. The cultural heyday of New Orleans lies in the past. Katrina rebuilding gives the city a chance to become an innovator once again.

So, let me see if I have this straight. We will build an edgy, multicultural, sexily dangerous shantytown! It will attract those too cool artists bored with or gentrified out of Brooklyn and the East Village, a couple of Mexican migrants playing mariachi music, and some hip-hop brothers. We will create a new New Orleans and a new form of music and art too. If the former residents of New Orleans are too attached to trivialities like sanitation, running water, building materials other than corrugated metal and plastic tarp, to participate in the rebirth, then they can live someplace else.

Now I haven’t been to Salvador, Rio, or Jamaica. But I have been to some Caribbean islands, to the famed Soweto shantytown in South Africa, and to Bangkok and other places in Thailand. I really don’t remember much creative vitality in the shantytowns. I do remember filthy dogs, cats, and children. I remember being fascinated with the concept that people lived permanently in large urban areas, next to skyscrapers, without such basic essentials as, say, a mattress to sleep on, a flush toilet, or basically, anything.

Perhaps he didn’t really mean shantytowns like, well, a shantytown. He did refer to buildings with a life expectancy of less than 50 years, to rent, to cheap real estate. Shantytowns do not involve ownership of private property, the residents there are all squatters. So perhaps he is just a dumb ass, and he really is trying to say that we should be building Katrina Cottages. But if he said that then it would be contributing something useful to the debate on how to rebuild, instead of just throwing out inane suggestions aimed at reducing government and empowering entrepreneurs, that will instead degrade the quality of life.

Mayors Debate

The Mayor's debate is/was televised nationally tonight on MSNBC, see details here. Thanks to Third Battle of New Orleans for pointing it out. Those of us outside New Orleans welcome the opportunity to see the candidiates for ourselves so we have some vague clue is going on down there.

So far the debate is starting off on a melodramatic note, with the images of Katrina and Nagin's chocolate city quote. There sure are a lot of candidates...... Now I can't write down everything, I'm sure transcripts will be available. But here is my blow-by-blow. Please also forgive any spelling issues.

Question 1 is about what would you do about a cat 4 storm. Boulet wants to plan in advance - what a concept. Couhig agrees but wants zero tolerance for looters. Forman wants to work with state etc to have a clear plan. Landrieu says we aren't safe and wont be safe but he'd work with Chertoff. Nagin says no shelters of last resort and will use Amtrak. Watson wants to evacuate sooner and by zip code. Wilson wants to use military bases and eliminate the culture of poverty.

Question 2 is why should cabbies in Detriot pay to rebuild in New Orleans. Ummm, is this a debate for Mayor or for the future of the city? Its a good question that Ive heard before but its kind of scary to hear it on TV with a serious tone. Answers were not compelling. They need to work on that one because its very important - they need to have a more well thought out answer to that.

Question 3 do you approve of Bush. Nagin is explaining why he disapproves of Bush, the economy and Iraq his key issues. Forman approves and wants to work with him. Landrieu diapproves. Now we are bouncing around and oh god theres the Chocolate City clip again. Now they are trying to bait Nagin. He's saying people were saying they didnt want certain types of people back in the city.

OK on to clips about the Convention Center and asking about race and would people have reacted different if the faces there were white. Yes, no, nothing specific. Everyone was horrified. Coulig says it wasnt about race. Watson says NOLA is racist and has a plantation mentality. Boulet says we have to stop dividing and start rebuilding. I guess it must be Wilson who has talked about welfare queen, they are digging at her on that.

Who is a great mayor? Daly in Chicago. Giuliani in NY. Andy Young, Dutch Morial.

Oh heres the get off your ass quote from Nagin and question what would you have done. Landrieu says he slogged thru the water to go find the mayor. Couhig says no more big easy, govt has failed us and we need to take responsibility. Says its Nagins fault there were no communications. Nagins says they were going thru the process of getting communications systems and werent done. OK they went on to conventions and why should they come. No good answers so far. Moderator just asked who is Dickie Brennan?

Questions too each other. Forman asking Landrieu what hes been doing last 20 years to get things right. Landrieu asking Nagin about turnover in administration. Couhig piling on and says also wrong management style. Now asking why Forman attacking Landrieu. Nagin asks Watson how she would move UNO downtown.

Hey Fat Cat is now suggesting we have an American Idol style election where the audience could vote off a candidate at a time from a debate. It might work better than our current system.

Moral responsibility about rebuilding? How safe are the levees? Levees of mass destruction (Watson). How come USA cant build a decent levee like the Brits and the Dutch? Will power and money (Landrieu). OK, good answer.

Chris Matthews now seems to think Dickie Brennan was part of the corruption issue. OK Wilson is being voted off the "American Voter" show by Fat Cat and thinks Simon Cowell would have sent her off after 5 mins.

Why are we still finding bodies? And by their relatives? Why is this happening in the USA? Boulet says its a shame and they should have been evacuated. OK Fat Cat wants to vote off Boulet too. Lack of realism about evacuation.

Some recap of our impressions - Coulig is well spoken. Forman kind of looks like a dork and doesnt really have much experience. Landrieu is looking pretty good due to his political experience.

Nagin is now talking about the dead bodies and the tragedy that we are still dealing with this. Next time everyone gets out (like that will work - he knows better). Watson talking about pre-Katrina racial tension.

Runoff, or chief of staff from this group, who would you support? Bad question, they cant answer that. Good to hear it asked. Tom Watson for runoff some people are naming, Boulet for chief of staff, others refuse to answer.

Wrap-up. Thanks all around, vote for a change (or for experience), New Orleans is coming back, we need to come together.

Moderators encourage New Orleanians to vote.

Fat Cat thinks Coulig did well in the debate and I concur. Nagin is bogged down in the muck of his "best hits" clips. Forman didnt make much impression. Landrieu did OK in the debate and will make a strong showing in the voting.

Good luck all and if you are eligible, dont forget to vote.

Quotes and Speeches

OK we got tired of the quotes and speeches so they are moving from the sidebar to this post. Here they are.


Quotes and Speeches

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him." Jonathan Swift

"Bureaucracy has murdered people in the greater New Orleans area and bureaucracy needs to stand trial before Congress today. So I'm asking Congress please investigate this now. Take whatever idiot they have at the top, give me a better idiot. Give me a caring idiot. Give me a sensitive idiot. Just don't give me the same idiot." - Aaron Broussard, Jefferson Parish president

Mayor Nagin Day 4 Radio Address http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/02/national/nationalspecial/02TEXT-NAGIN.html

GPGC

In a state that is struggling to put on a normal school year for kids, it is no wonder that the residential summer camp for gifted children is struggling as well. The Govenor's Program for Gifted Children (GPGC) is offered each year at McNeese State University in Lake Charles. It has a long history of providing comprehensive summer enrichment including academic, artistic, and musical education for 12 to 16 year old kids classified as "gifted".

But this year will be a challenge. The dormitory that is usually used to house students will be closed for repairs due to Hurricane Rita damage. Only 45 spots are being offered in an alternate dormitory, which is set up in a suite arrangement. The cost charged to the program for this housing is substantially greater than usual. No separation from other camps or college students is possible within the building. While a suite is probably much better for a college student than a small dorm room and large common space, for a summer camp it is not ideal. Also, I'd hate to be the summer college student who discovers they are living next to a bunch of rowdy 12 year olds.

Additionally many students may be dislocated to other states and unable to attend, or unable to afford the usual tuition due to hurricane related financial distress. Students traditionally attend for all 5 years, or for 2 or 3 of the 5 years, depending on their starting age. Despite this problem the program anticipates turning students away due to the housing shortage. They also will have to cut back on their diverse course offerings.

I know that it is difficult to prioritize such "luxuries" as gifted summer camps when you are struggling to offer the basics. But I hope that GPGC survives and bounces back, instead of becoming one more casualty of the storms.

How Much Longer?

Having missed its deadline of March 31st, FEMA recently stated that it could take as long as 18 months to revise the New Orleans flood maps. It is not clear to me whether that means 18 months total or an additional 18 months from now. Regardless, with the additional news that the levee system will require a further $6 billion to certify deals another blow. With the current environment in Washington, obtaining this money will likely not be easy; and may not happen at all. Every day that the funds are not appropriated further adds to the uncertainty for families hoping to renovate their homes and return to New Orleans. If there is no money, it won't be a matter of renovating it will be a matter of further demolition and starting from scratch in order to raise the house to meet the new FEMA requirements. This additional cost will likely deter or prevent even more people from returning to New Orleans. People will be essentially priced out of their own homes.

The bottom line here is that the longer the government fails to approve the funds and FEMA fails to issue the maps, people will be forced to settle their families elsewhere and it will become emotionally, physically and financially more and more difficult to return. More than 7 months after Katrina, our leadership still has no sense of urgency, and talks about another 18 months. People cannot be expected to put their lives on hold for 2 years on the off chance they may be able to start planning to return home. Someone, please tell us how much longer New Orleanians will have to wait?

Strategy, tactics, and plans

Have any of you ever been asked whether you are better at strategy or tactics? If you can answer this question without hesistating, you are a strategy person. Not that being a strategy person is bad. Its just that good tacticians know that to execute at their highest levels, behind all their tactics must be an underlying strategy. If there isn't one, due to intransigence or uncertainty or stupidity, the tactician must formulate one in order to proceed. This is what separates the great from the adequate.

Now recently Condi Rice has been getting some heat over her concession, that perhaps the US has made mistakes in Iraq, "thousands of tactical mistakes". She said tactical mistakes to make it sound like trivial mistakes, like when you start to put your shoe on the wrong foot and waste 1 sec of your life before you figure it out. Well, to some this sounded dangerously close to "blaming the troops" for our problems. I dont think this was her intent but she managed to offend former senior military commander Anthony Zinni, who shot back with the assertion that the mistakes made were strategic mistakes and that the senior strategist, Rumsfeld, should resign.

I doubt that will go anywhere but we have some parallels here in New Orleans. We have the tactical mistakes made in levee protection such as the specific number of feet the sheet pilings should have gone down. We have the larger strategic mistakes such as not providing for wetlands protection and the minimization of the potential impact of the MrGO. Now we have to look forward, and as we rebuild the city, we have to have a plan. If there is no plan, each of our excellent and some of our adequate tacticians will put together their own strategic plan, and some will work out and others wont. I would like to endorse the partially phrased 4P plan, I have confidence that the remaining Ps will be as persuasive as the prior postulates.

Link Think New Orleans and basketball

I had all my hopes on the Lady Tigers after the men were trounced by UCLA this weekend. Then what did the Ladies do but go down in a similar fashion, never getting into the rhythm of the game and with low ball possession by their intended high scorer. Next year, next year. It should be a good one for the men since they have such a young team, as long as they don't go pro prematurely.

If you haven't already check out the Link Think New Orleans blog. Its good to know I'm not the only one mystified by what a trackback is, and releived that its all Blogger's fault for not supporting them instead of my technological illiteracy at play. There is some good discussion here about the need for bloggers to link to each other and reference each other to keep the momentum and interest up on New Olreans blogging. Also you can learn about things like trackbacks and Technorati search - that one I do use.

There are many good bloggers who have already been tagged by this virus, so as I pick two to mention I am going to go with Looka, who has amused me with his ongoing "food porn" and provided timely updates on the fate of some favorite establishments such as Mandina's and Liuzza's in the days after Katrina. Also I will mention da Po'Boy for many good posts that frequently reflect my own thinking on Katrina, New Orleans, and the insanity of life. Good luck bloggers and keep posting.