Katrina and the World Opinion

The World is with New Orleans

Published on September 7, 2005 By Bahu Virupaksha In Current Events

At this moment the levees have been repaired and the people who have been marooned are being moved to safety. Finally the neighbourhoods that have been under several feet of water are being drained and accorging to the Governor it could take months to get the City on its feet. The loss to the Jazz heritage preserved in Loisianna State Public Library will be too greaT A LOSS. We can almost hear the haunting words of Louis Armstrong :When the Moonlight hits the dreams, thats what we live for in this beautiful world.

The USA has got the sympathy of the whole world and even traditional adversaries like Chavez and Castro have come forward to help. The European Union and Canada have sent in supplies. The countries that were affected by the December 26 Tsunami have sent in relief by the plane loads. Frankly, the civil society of the USA does not have the exprience of facing such calamities that happen in a routine manner elsewhere. Three thing are vital: 1 Water Purification tablets, plants and equipment 2. At least a million does of anti epidemic shots and people must be immunised in a systematic manner 3. everyday supplies like clothes and food.

The study recently made had precisely such an eventuality in mind. Unfortunately because of budget cuts and the Iraq war the few million dollars needed to repair the levees were not spared. One of my critics who left an angry comment on my earlier piece think that it is not proper to make this political point. The fact is theat Bush and his Busmmen have other priorities and cannot think of the situation at home. There is no politics in this.

Comments

Island Dog

on Sep 07, 2005

Unfortunately because of budget cuts and the Iraq war the few million dollars needed to repair the levees were not spared. One of my critics who left an angry comment on my earlier piece think that it is not proper to make this political point. The fact is theat Bush and his Busmmen have other priorities and cannot think of the situation at home. There is no politics in this.

Even if money was not cut, the levees would not have been "fixed" for years. It wouldn't have mattered. What about the hundreds of millions that were spent on a new sports arena? The only thing here is politics.

ParaTed2k

on Sep 07, 2005

Once again, a very well written and moving tribute ends up nothing but a Bush Bash. Are you incapable of writing a complimentary article without turning it into a political statement?

also, while it's true that the U.S. has seen very few health threats like what we are facing in New Orleans, we do know what kind of medicines and supplies are needed... the kind that we send out to 3rd world countries all the time... usually without including a political statement.

Bahu Virupaksha

on Sep 07, 2005

Once again, a very well written and moving tribute ends up nothing but a Bush Bash. Are you incapable of writing a complimentary article without turning it into a political statement

Believe me that we are all with the American people but as far as Bush is concerned that is a different story. May it it is just the Irq War that makes one see the Establishment as a terribly cynical force. But I do understand how you feel and if I have in any way hurt your feeling please accept my apologies, as I am not playing politics on people's suffering. I can ask you to trust me on that.

ParaTed2k

on Sep 08, 2005

Not hurt, just frustrated, no need to apologize. If you want to write a tribute to the American people, but not the president, that is your right and I understand, if you just had have left the shots to Prs. Bush out of the tribute it is a very moving one.. as I said.

I'm not sure where you are from, but I wish you and the people of your country well.

Baub

on Sep 08, 2005

The study recently made had precisely such an eventuality in mind. Unfortunately because of budget cuts and the Iraq war the few million dollars needed to repair the levees were not spared. One of my critics who left an angry comment on my earlier piece think that it is not proper to make this political point. The fact is theat Bush and his Busmmen have other priorities and cannot think of the situation at home. There is no politics in this.

I think you're missing the point. It was decided decades ago that a levee system which could withstand a fast moving level 3 hurricane was all that was needed based on a cost/benefit analysis. Not level 4 or level 5, but level 3. In the many decades that have passed, there have been many chances to change this system, but when it came down to it, nobody could justify the cost. Does that make it any one person's (or administration's) fault?

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