Comments on: Rebuilding the New Orleans Levees

By: CSConrad

CSConrad — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:32:25 +0000

The PM article does not refer to a single bit of research; it quotes Ray Seed, calls his statements a myth, without any reference to his research papers on the topic at all.

It was basically an editorial from the group that put out the ACOE’s propaganda reviews.

By: dfvazan

dfvazan — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:15:40 +0000

A little balance from Karl Rove’s shill, Popular Mechanics… http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/natural-disasters/2315076

By: CSConrad

CSConrad — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:52:35 +0000

Interesting that Miron hasn’t come here and admitted his mistake yet. The flooding of New Orleans was not a natural disaster; it was an engineering catastrophe and those responsible have not been held accountable.

Perhaps Jeff’s taking a page from Karl Rove’s playbook — never admit your mistakes!

By: PPurna

PPurna — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:49:41 +0000

“Before Katrina, the Corps was spending more in Louisiana than in any other state, but much of it was going to wasteful and destructive pork instead of protection for New Orleans; one Corps project actually intensified Katrina’s surge. After Katrina, a series of investigations ripped the Corps for building flimsy floodwalls in soggy soils, based on wildly flawed analyses—and shoddy engineering was only one way the Corps betrayed New Orleans. But while fema director Michael Brown’s resignation made front-page news, Corps commander Carl Strock’s resignation hardly made the papers. By the time Strock admitted his agency’s “catastrophic failure” eight months after the storm, the U.S. had moved on.”

By: Don Mynack

Don Mynack — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:32:10 +0000

Wasn’t the flooding in N.O. largely due to channels built by ACOE, particularly the infamous, largely unused Mississippi River Gulf Outlet?

See here: http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1646611_1646683_1648904-3,00.html

By: CSConrad

CSConrad — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:57:10 +0000

No, Bob, you are.

Here is one research paper on the topic: http://levees.org/2/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/UsCountiesWithLeveesPaper_Boyd2.pdf

Furthermore, we’ve seen nothing of the sort. All we’ve seen is what happens when a hurricane strikes an area with no REAL levee protection, because the levees surrounding New Orleans prior to 8/29 provided, as even the ACOE admitted, a protection system in name only.

Furthermore, the ACOE is responsible for the destruction of the wetlands which provide New Orleans’ natural protection against hurricanes. The wetlands can, and must, be restored and New Orleans can, and must, be protected.

By: bob

bob — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:15:00 +0000

“…consider that more than HALF of all Americans live in counties protected by levees…”

Firstly, we’d need a source for that.

Secondly, Dr. Miron’s point is not that we should shuttle every single person in America out of their below-sea-level-abodes. He’s saying that there is no point in rebuilding below sea-level now that we know what can happen when a hurricane strikes.

C’mon CSConrad, are you trying to be dense?

By: CSConrad

CSConrad — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:20:31 +0000

For some REAL economic analysis, consider that more than HALF of all Americans live in counties protected by levees, and that those counties are significantly more productive overall with higher personal incomes and lower poverty rates. Miron ignores the value that New Orleans offers the country, due to its position and access to the Gulf of Mexico and its highly productive ecosystems.

In short, his flippant, off the cuff, unconsidered remarks are so obviously ignorant that they would merely be embarrassing to read, if it were not for the fact that others may make the mistake of thinking he knows what he’s talking about. He doesn’t.

By: csconradesq

csconradesq — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 01:04:39 +0000

The parts of New orleans that flooded the worst were above sea level. Obviously, you do not have a clue what you are talking about. The Lower 9 is above sea level — it’s the “Lower” 9 because it is SOUTH of the Upper 9.

New Orleans did not flood due to a natural catastrophe. It was, to quote the mythical Creighton Bernette, “A federal fuck up of epic proportions.” The levees didn’t have to fail.

Since when do great nations not rebuild their great (greatest)cities ?

By: Cliff Nelson

Cliff Nelson — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:32:53 +0000

Given that the ice caps are melting it may be very wise to begin learning how to live under sea level.

Just think what it would cost to move NYC to the high lands.

Also, since no one is moving New Orleans (as a practical matter) the proper analysis is cost vs benefit. The total damage from Katrina is estimated at $81.2 billion (2005 U.S. dollars), so it seems to me like a smart move.