Stop criticizing the officials

[Mello1]

caribepr, In the USA we like to try to imprrove things, make things better. In islands, well you like to keep things laid back, that is fine as we like to go there to relax and kick back but when there is work to do, we come back the good old USA where things get done. Keep up the good work and keep the islands laid backwards.

Yeah. We be good at complaining. Caribepr is correct. And it seems I remember people complaining that there was too much government in our lives? Gee, where have I heard that before?

On a more serious and sobering note, here's wishing the very best for the citizens of NO and the states of LA, MS and AL....

[Stephanie]

caribepr, In the USA we like to try to imprrove things, make things better. In islands, well you like to keep things laid back, that is fine as we like to go there to relax and kick back but when there is work to do, we come back the good old USA where things get done. Keep up the good work and keep the islands laid backwards.

I think that reply was totally unnecessary. He is right that we are responsible for our own decisions/actions, etc. THAT is an improvement that we the people in the good old USA need to work on.

[themusk]

There is legitimate criticism to be made here. In fact I'd be astonished if the mayor, governor, et. al. aren't among the first to volunteer some of the (self-) criticism once the dust has settled.

No plan works perfectly, and some aspects of even the best of plans work absolutely badly. I'm certainly seeing some problems, and I've worked in hazards research and have a slew of EM credentials, (though I'm more the researcher/policy/"big picture" type, or was, prior to my retired on disability status). I don't think it's a simple thing to assign blame for many of the problems; what I'm seeing are problems with complex causes and multiple persons to blame, if blame is what spins your wheels.

But blame is much less valuable than learning how to do better, both for the rest of us who live elsewhere and who will someday face hazards of our own, and for the reborn New Orleans, which will continue to face the same hazards. And to learn how to do better, it's absolutely essential that there be criticism, and plenty of it. Otherwise, we'll never learn.

[Big-Iguana]

It will boil down to this simple fact, the government of Louisiana and city of New Orleans had over 4 decades to build up the seawall and now many will die, and that is called blatant negligence.

[themusk]

It will boil down to this simple fact, the government of Louisiana and city of New Orleans had over 4 decades to build up the seawall and now many will die, and that is called blatant negligence.

Even that tale, if it is what it boils down to (I'm not familiar with the details of the engineering and can't agree or disagree with your assessment), is a cautionary tale for many of the rest of us. Here in Vermont, there is a bona fide risk of a damaging earthquake, and geologists have been all but pleading on bended knee for a public education program similar to those in California. Perhaps something like New Orleans will light a fire under local officials.

[caribepr]

During moments like this, think of something to be positive about, how you can HELP rather than how you can be the next day quarterback.

I totally agree that most all experiences should be looked at as to how to improve what has gone on. But...the last thing I wrote was what set me off and I still feel that way...during moments like this...
There will be plenty of time later to assess what coulda, woulda, shoulda, been, constructively. In my opinion, this is not the time. But you know us island types...we like to wait 'til tomorrow

[gilbert88]

caribepr, In the USA we like to try to imprrove things, make things better. In islands, well you like to keep things laid back, that is fine as we like to go there to relax and kick back but when there is work to do, we come back the good old USA where things get done. Keep up the good work and keep the islands laid backwards.

I don't feel like laughing right now. I'm really trying not to...