New Orleans

[Hemi]

This really sucks that they have to deal with another direct hit of a strong hurricane after almost getting their town at least half-way near what it was before. Everyone is getting the hell outta there this time.

Lets wish them well.

[ratzz]

Yep, it does suck.

First thing I did this morning was to switch on the news channel and hoped that it had blown itself out.

Lets just pray they escape the worst of it.

[ChadTower]

Everyone is getting the hell outta there this time.

So last time they tell everyone to chill and ride it out... which was absolutely the wrong move.  This time he tells everyone to "be scared" and that "this is the storm of the century" causing panic, alarm, and inevitable chaos during the evacuation.  Don't the New Orleans officials have any concept at all of how to handle masses of people?  How long before the roads are completely jammed, no one is going anywhere, and fear/road rage takes over in 500 different places?

At least this time the surrounding cities aren't closing roads and bridges to that people can't evacuate.

[Ginsu Victim]

They knew the levees wouldn't hold if anything like Katrina happened, but they never would correct the problem. Look what happened. I hope steps have been taken to fix this. (I also hope this topic doesn't move into PnR territory...)

[gonzo90017]

The levees are only able to withstand a Category 3 hurricane. And it looks like this will be a category 5.

[Ken Layton]

It is just plain stupid to rebuild a town that's under sea level to begin with. That's throwing money away.

[bishmasterb]

It is just plain stupid to rebuild a town that's under sea level to begin with. That's throwing money away.

Quoted for truth. Wouldn't bother me as much if it wasn't my money being used...

Anyhow, here's hoping that the damage to life and property is small.

[Hemi]

Everyone is getting the hell outta there this time.

At least this time the surrounding cities aren't closing roads and bridges to that people can't evacuate.

I bet they would if they could, but then being accused of murder would not sit so well for some people.

[DaOld Man]

I have two sisters in Mobile AL.

I just got an email from one. She said the wind is starting to pick up.
Lets hope and pray that it wont be a repeat of Katrina.

[Zero_Hour]

My Wife is an Officer with the Public Health Service (Indian Health Service  Pharmacist specifically). She was Just deployed to Baton Rouge last night, as were  a very large list of others Medical Professionals in the service. Another contingent of PHS personnel were sent to Jackson MS. When Katrina Hit, it wasn't until days after the storms that deployments occurred, so points for foresight this time around. Of course, I'm hoping that the storm isn't bad, and that her deployment is a short one, and that folks in the region get back to normalcy as quickly as possible.

[Level42]

It is just plain stupid to rebuild a town that's under sea level to begin with. That's throwing money away.

It's not IF you make it safe enough....

In  fact, 40% of my country would be flooded without dikes etc.because these parts are below sea level:


And that's without storms, let alone hurricanes.

Especialy interesting if you see where the most people live here:
(Yes, we live in the deepest red area).

Of course, we had to learn our lesson before acting as well. In 1953 a large part of the south-west was flooded during a storm and cost 1800 people their lives. After that they started the Delta-works to make our _LOW_ country safe (or as safe as possible ?). To give an idea about how much time it took to complete: they just finished a couple of years ago....

I know Dutch engineers were helping in New Orleans with plans to make it safer, but you can't do it in 3 years I guess.


For all people over there I just hope Gustav will be less terrible than it's predicted now. Our thoughts are with all people in the world that got hit by it....

Special thoughts for Bob and his family:
http://homearcade.org/BBBB/index.html

[Blanka]

And what if there's flood. NAP is a very theoretic line. You better draw the line at +5m NAP or something like that. They make fun about Amersfoort aan Zee (at the sea), but a good south-west storm eats Amersfoort as well.

[Singapura]

Anyway, with all this global warming (not to mention the housing crisis) I'm glad I sold my house in Lelystad. That place used to be on the bottom of the IJsselmeer 

[Level42]

Anyway, with all this global warming (not to mention the housing crisis) I'm glad I sold my house in Lelystad. That place used to be on the bottom of the IJsselmeer 

There is no housing crisis over here Singa. Too many people, too few houses. Won't change. Prices keep increasing (although not as fast as they used to be.)

[ChadTower]

In  fact, 40% of my country would be flooded without dikes etc.because these parts are below sea level:

Nobody is going to fund the type of effort it would take to make New Orleans that safe.  Realistically there is no reason to do so other than being stubborn.  There isn't anything of inherent value in that specific plot of land aside from the culture - and that could be relocated.  It doesn't help that much of that area was already some of the poorest urban spots in the entire US.  It's a cold truth that the rest of the country just isn't going to pay billions of dollars to accomplish what was accomplished where you live.  The US is not hurting for space - it's pretty damn big and there are plenty of other places those folks could go without a 30 year feat of engineering.

[Hemi]

It is just plain stupid to rebuild a town that's under sea level to begin with. That's throwing money away.

I really do not want to get into a big thing here, but I find this post to be very offending and in very bad taste.

[somunny]

I really do not want to get into a big thing here.

Are you kidding?  That's all you want to do here.

[Hemi]

That is not the case here if it even was anywhere else.

The people in NO have gone through a lot, and to say that it is stupid to rebuild their homes is a crime because another disaster might happen again.

[Malenko]

That is not the case here if it even was anywhere else.

The people in NO have gone through a lot, and to say that it is stupid to rebuild their homes is a crime because another disaster might happen again.

he didnt say a crime, he said a waste of money.

Do you know the definition of insanity?
"doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results"

[Hemi]

I said it is a crime for him to say that.

The people in NO have gone through a lot, and to say that it is stupid to rebuild their homes because another disaster might happen again is a crime to say.

Edited my quote for easier understanding.

[Samstag]

Realistically there is no reason to do so other than being stubborn.  There isn't anything of inherent value in that specific plot of land aside from the culture - and that could be relocated.

Good luck relocating the third busiest seaport in the world.  That big river that runs nearby will be a major pain to move with it.

[markrvp]

I think it is understandable to question whether spending billions rebuilding a city under sea level BY THE SEA is prudent.

[Singapura]

There is no housing crisis over here Singa. Too many people, too few houses. Won't change. Prices keep increasing (although not as fast as they used to be.)

Just wait my friend, just wait. The government has already decided not to implement the BTW (VAT) raise to curb inflation. Housing prices are still going up but you're at the end of the curve there. Even in Singapore the boom has ended...

There isn't anything of inherent value in that specific plot of land aside from the culture - and that could be relocated

Relocation of culture... now where did I hear that before? Ah, yes it was in a movie called "The Conspiracy". Maybe we should force all New Orleanians to live in Nevada? Plenty of waterless desert there....

[Hemi]

I think it is understandable to question whether spending billions rebuilding a city under sea level BY THE SEA is prudent.

You think it is understandable? I bet you wouldn't think it was understandable if you or your family lived there and lost most of their lives.

[Hemi]

Before I get the "total" axe here, I will bow out of this argument. Far be it for me to support the people of N.O and feel that their homes and community mean something to them and is worth rebuilding.

[Hemi]

Where are all the smart-ass comments now? Am I still insane, Malenko? Is it still understandable, Mark? Come on now, I'm waiting for all the great comments telling me how crazy I am. 

Surly someone will post soon. I will monitor this thread as to not miss a single post.

[ChadTower]

Good luck relocating the third busiest seaport in the world.  That big river that runs nearby will be a major pain to move with it.

Seaports aren't as necessary as they used to be, you know.  You don't need to replace those thousands of flooded out houses given that very few of those residents actually worked in the shipping industry.  It's easy to rebuild a seaport.  It's the massive sprawl of residences that is the problem.

Hemi, enlighten us as to why they can't be who they are 100 miles inland where they aren't in mortal danger every time a hurricane comes in.  Is that specific patch of land more important than the people?  Is that specific patch of land so important that people should die for no other reason than that they don't feel like moving?

[markrvp]

Am I still insane, Malenko?

Yes.

Is it still understandable, Mark?

Yes.

Hemi, enlighten us as to why they can't be who they are 100 miles inland where they aren't in mortal danger every time a hurricane comes in.  Is that specific patch of land more important than the people?  Is that specific patch of land so important that people should die for no other reason than that they don't feel like moving?

Exactly.

[AtomSmasher]

I think it is understandable to question whether spending billions rebuilding a city under sea level BY THE SEA is prudent.

You think it is understandable? I bet you wouldn't think it was understandable if you or your family lived there and lost most of their lives.

I bet I wouldn't want to move back to the place that killed my family when the town will most likely be destroyed again and again.  The best way to honor your families death is to move on with your life, not to put your life in danger for sentimental reasons.

Where are all the smart-ass comments now?

You seem to be making a lot of noise for someone who has bowed out of the argument.  Also, try waiting more then 40 minutes before asking where the replies are, most people here have things going on in real life and don't spend all of their time on this forum.

[Hemi]

This thread had 8 members looking in on it at the time of my bow out comment and they all thought better of it and left without posting.

[Hemi]

Hemi, enlighten us as to why they can't be who they are 100 miles inland where they aren't in mortal danger every time a hurricane comes in.  Is that specific patch of land more important than the people?  Is that specific patch of land so important that people should die for no other reason than that they don't feel like moving?

So, anyone who lives on any south eastern coast is just being silly since they know that a hurricane could potentially hit them at any time and if an when that happens they should just abandom their hometown and forget about anything that ever went on in that town? I guess you should not live in a city where other people live when one of them could have a gun and could possibly blow your brains out when you could have easily moved out into the forest where no other people exist.

[AtomSmasher]

This thread had 8 members looking in on it at the time of my bow out comment and they all thought better of it and left without posting.

And those 8 members obviously contained all of the people who previously posted in this thread  

Welcome to the internet.  Of the many members who will read this thread, a very small percentage of them will actually make a post.

[Ginsu Victim]

Hemi, enlighten us as to why they can't be who they are 100 miles inland where they aren't in mortal danger every time a hurricane comes in.  Is that specific patch of land more important than the people?  Is that specific patch of land so important that people should die for no other reason than that they don't feel like moving?

So, anyone who lives on any south eastern coast is just being silly since they know that a hurricane could potentially hit them at any time and if an when that happens they should just abandom their hometown and forget about anything that ever went on in that town? I guess you should not live in a city where other people live when one of them could have a gun and could possibly blow your brains out when you could have easily moved out into the forest where no other people exist.

But not everyone you're talking about is living in a ---smurfing--- bowl, waiting to be drowned over and over again. The term "gluttons for punishment" comes to mind.

[Ginsu Victim]

This thread had 8 members looking in on it at the time of my bow out comment and they all thought better of it and left without posting.

And those 8 members obviously contained all of the people who previously posted in this thread 

Welcome to the internet.  Of the many members who will read this thread, a very small percentage of them will actually make a post.

Agreed. I was a lurker here for MANY years before finally making a single post.

[Hemi]

Hemi, enlighten us as to why they can't be who they are 100 miles inland where they aren't in mortal danger every time a hurricane comes in.  Is that specific patch of land more important than the people?  Is that specific patch of land so important that people should die for no other reason than that they don't feel like moving?

So, anyone who lives on any south eastern coast is just being silly since they know that a hurricane could potentially hit them at any time and if an when that happens they should just abandom their hometown and forget about anything that ever went on in that town? I guess you should not live in a city where other people live when one of them could have a gun and could possibly blow your brains out when you could have easily moved out into the forest where no other people exist.

But not everyone you're talking about is living in a ---smurfing--- bowl, waiting to be drowned over and over again. The term "gluttons for punishment" comes to mind.

I can see your point, but the difference is negligible.

[markrvp]

So, anyone who lives on any south eastern coast is just being silly since they know that a hurricane could potentially hit them at any time and if an when that happens they should just abandom their hometown and forget about anything that ever went on in that town? I guess you should not live in a city where other people live when one of them could have a gun and could possibly blow your brains out when you could have easily moved out into the forest where no other people exist.

We are not talking about "anywhere on the south eastern coast."  We are specifically talking about New Orleans.   Pass Christian, Biloxi, Gulf Port, etc. are not below sea level.  They don't require a multi-billion dollar levy system upgrade at tax-payer expense every time a category 3 or higher hurricane hits.

My mother-in-law lost everything in Katrina.  She was at ground zero in Pass Christian, MS.  Guess what... she doesn't live there any more.  Worth noting is the fact that she was smart enough to evacuate two days before the storm hit, unlike the thousands who chose to stay in the "fish bowl" during Katrina when they were told a hurricane was coming.

[DaOld Man]

We can all breathe a sigh of relief now. Gustav is on its way to higher grounds.
Missed new Orleans pretty much.
But wait...
There's two more coming!

[Level42]

Am I the only one who thinks it's funny that a country that spends hundreds of billions of dollars on a pointless war cannot have the money/will to protect NO properly ?

It would be funny, if it weren't so sad....

O, and here's another thought: What is cheaper in the long run: repairing all the damages again and again or investing in safety to prevent the damages to happen again ?

By the way, there seems to have been a start on improving the situation already:

Arcadis

150 million dollars per year for just this contract.  But that's HALF the cost of the Iraq war PER DAY !!!!!!

http://www.nationalpriorities.org/costofwar_home

Don't make me laugh....

[Hoopz]

Hemi:  Congratulations!  In just over 2 weeks and ~100 posts, you have already achieved 4 people ignoring you.  ChadTower, in 4 years and about ~30,000 posts only has 6 people ignoring him. 

That's truly an outstanding accomplishment!  Of course, CT has a lot of posts in EE that are fluff...but he is also one of the most helpful in other areas including wood working, monitors, pinball and basic electronics (to name but a few).   I'm still waiting on your helpful posts.  They're probably percolating in you and ready to come out!    

Come on, you can do it!  Something arcade related...  It's easy! 

[Hoopz]

What, no response?  You're on the Board so show us what you have!  It's been a couple of minutes so you're probably getting the most useful post EVER ready to go in a sub-forum somewhere.  I can't wait!  I'm going to highlight it on my monitor so I can easily find it at any time as it's going to be that good.

* This is going to be better than porn!