Experts in urban recovery say that the most important factor in how a city fares is not the extent of the damage but the pre-existing trend lines. Chicago was mostly destroyed by fire in 1871 and San Francisco by earthquake and fire in 1906. But both cities had been on the way up beforehand.
and New Orleans can not make that same claim.
It is saddled with a number of major social and economic issues. Just look at who and how many were caught by the storm, and the ineffective planning of the city prior to the hurricane. The state of the school system, the crime and corruption that seemed to pop up all the time in the city and state.
Add to that the inept federal response, the trauma of spending days without food, water or hope. The weeks and months that people will not be able to go home, and the lack of jobs that will greet them when they do get home. This will lead to many starting new lives elsewhere.
A new city, with a new energy may arise, but the work will not be easy and a greater sacrifice and a greater commitment of the citizens will be called for.
To save this city or any city where people are hurting requires rejecting the "glib ephemeralities" of heedless tax cuts and I-got-mine selfishness in favor of the sense of community and competence that all Americans deserve.
The soul of New Orleans, the river, the French Quarter, The Garden District are still there. The strongest of people will come back. In time, not weeks or months, but years, New Orleans will be reborn. Lets hope that we have the willingness to rebuild the city in a manner to make the nation proud, and don't just do the bare minimum.
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