Obama to New Orleans: Drop Dead?

CLEVELAND -- Regular readers know I've been critical of the Obama administration for its do-nothing approach to redeeming the president's promise to redeem the promises Bush made in Jackson Square two weeks after the city was flooded by the failure of the federal levees. Now, it's not just me and my little opinion.

Politifact, run by the St. Petersburg Times (a reputable and non-profit newspaper), has made a handy checklist of the president's statements on the city's needs and his promises to help meet those needs, measured against what he's actually proposed and/or done. It's not surprising, at least to me, that the scoreboard contains almost all goose-eggs. Yes, we all know he's got a lot on his plate, yet he managed to find time to sign an executive order last week reorganizing the cleanup of Chesapeake Bay, so not all local needs are going unmet. And the Washington Post reports the stimulus bill, while containing nothing for New Orleans, did make a nice stash available for the contractors who've been taking their time, and making some mistakes, trying to clean up our nuclear weapons sites.

The farther we get into this administration, the clearer it becomes that New Orleans is now enjoying its second consecutive federal administration which, far from offering to fix what it broke, far from offering a hand of support, is merely offering one finger. (Hat tip: LSD)

Comments

[RightWingMarine]

regardless of any politicians promises what article of the Constitution gives Congress the authority to spend on object of benevolence the money of their constituents? Now I know that many people like to point to the general welfare clause but if that is what the framers intended, that the govt could do anything if they claimed it was for the nations general welfare, then why are the powers of the Congress and the President clearly laid out? If this clause gives the fed govt the power to do anything why wouldn't the Constitution be a lot shorter? Furthermore President James Madison, Father of the Constitution, was quite plain in his statements that such power was not his intent when he wrote that clause.

[redisright]

people think it says, provide for the general welfare, It says "promote' the general welfare. Our constitution has been ripped to shreds, and long before bush took office.

[luziannagirl]

What to do with/about New Orleans is a complex issue, for sure.

Geography , weather, & climate issues aside, this irreplaceable and unique city and its people were spectacularly failed by their public leadership at every level, from city council to the President of the United States, especially the latter. It has been said that the death certificates of the 1,000+ Louisiana Katrina victims should read, "death by bureaucracy".

Though transparency, accountability, efficiency, and public accountability are all still major growth areas for every level of government and public service across much of the country and certainly in Louisiana, it cannot be denied that New Orleans' local government has an especially long way to go in those areas. Often it's as if they live in some completely unique and bizarre dimension of time and space, fun to visit, not fun to live & work in. There is an unquestion­able---alb­eit at least somewhat unjustified--- national current of sentiment that since the city and region are infamously rife with public corruption, why send good money after bad?

So Harry, regardless of how unfair it is, do you think any gains New Orleans makes in the area of "good government", could or should be used as a sort of leverage for the administration to do the right thing by the city and region?

[Harry Shearer - Huffpost Blogger]

Well, let's see: New Orleanians, since Katrina, have reformed the levee boards, reformed the tax assessors, gotten rid of an incompetent District Attorney, empaneled and (after some struggle) provided a budget for an independent Inspector General for city government--what city has done more to clean up its politics in such a brief period of time? And what has the effect been on national media and national politics? I'd guess zero.

[luziannagirl]

And, don't forget, Harry, there is a current massive grassroots effort by New Orleanians themselves to hold local New Orleans public leaders accountable in a variety of ways---regarding accessiblity of public records, city contracts for equipment , accepting gratuities and gifts...an­d within the next year, there are a couple of big elections including mayor & Congressperson.

Again, for those around the country who want to check it out for themselves, peruse the Times-Picayune, Gambit articles, have a listen at (sorry, lapse into local parlance) Garland Robinette's "Think Tank" on WWL radio ....

That should perk the ears of any national mediafolk trolling the internet for a story angle...

[General Buck Turgisson]

I voted for Obama, very skeptically. I thought he would turn out to be another Clinton, hugging the right-center. As events have so far proved, I was right. He and the fed have GIVEN AWAY WITHOUT CONDITIONS $11,000,00­0,000,000. His stimulus package was one-third the size it should have been. He hired Geithner and Larry Summers. That floored me. Where's the oversight and regulation? His trade policy is no different from before. He is going to bailout the car companies without the condition they invest in America and produce jobs: instead they can export jobs with our money. He's sent more troops into Afghanista­n.Has our defense spending in Iraq and Afghanistan reached over $15,000,000,000 a month yet?? I believe he's considering reducing Social Security checks--whereas with a simple trillion he could have saved Social Security for the next 40 years at least. Is this a scam or what? He's re-signed onto the Military Commissions Act. Where's the bully pulpit on the topic of malfeasance and crime on the part of the previous administration? Where is the reduction of our gross & ghastly defense budget? Where's our single-payer healthcare? We want more jobs more jobs more jobs and our civil rights our civil rights our civil rights and campaign finance reform campaign finance reform campaign finance reform and single-payer healthcare single-payer healthcare single-payer healthcare!! It's been the greatest transference of public wealth into private hands since the Railroad Land Giveaway in the 19th century.

[mouselion]

There are no easy answers. My best vision for this is to move the historic cultural section and at-risk neighborhoods to higher ground.

People talk about the cultural and economic importance of NO. If this is so (which it is) - that doesn't negate trying to approach this with common sense. You can't protect yourself from all of nature's ravages. You can, however, make your decisions based upon reasonable risk assessment. Half of city being below sea level and in a river basin realistically is not reasonable - but, then again, neither is living in a place where you know you could be swallowed up by an earthquake or buried by lava flow.

Still, however NO chooses to proceed, the issue is the money. Keep plugging away, Harry.

[ICanHasDemocracy]

Before you cut him to the quick, maybe you should consider that there is a cubic shite-ton of other things on his plate. He will get to it, I am sure. Part of the problem is that America has now become NO- with most counties reporting unemplyment over 8%- some even as high as 15-20%. To ask a President to undo 8 years of slackitude and socioeconomic damage in 100 days is ludicrous.

[Lee Graham]

Well, compared to New Orleans, I live in Galveston, Galveston County has gotten next to nothing so far after Ike. The residents are largely just cleaning up on their own. We wish we got the media attention and belated government aid that NO did.

However, I don't blame Obama. The mismanagement of the Bush administration and their dismantlement of FEMA when they merged into Homeland Security is the real problem. I remember when FEMA was an effective agency. After Tropical Storm Allison flooded most of Houston in the summer of 2001, FEMA was still operational as Bush had not yet placed his evil hands on the agency. They did amazing things at that time. Then 9/11, and the changes to FEMA, and it was all over for us that experience natural disasters.

[doctorj2u]

Lee,
The Gulf South got next to nothing also. It is promised aid wrapprd in red tape. We have been through the same thing. It takes YEARS but eventually can be unravelled, but not in time to relieve the suffering. You and I are on our own, That is how it works.

[dems08]

Harry, give President Obama a call.

Please try and meet with him, I really think he'd be open to it, and that it could make all the difference in the world.

[Harry Shearer - Huffpost Blogger]

Soon to come: the full story of what happened when I took advice like this;. It ain't pretty.

[dems08]

Thanks Harry, I look forward to it.

[luziannagirl]

Oh, no...am I sensing another impending Mr. Bill moment?

[ckfan]

What was the result of a meeting and contact with Gov. Jindal? I'm sure you started there first, right?

[steamboat]

Harry, will you keep us informed..­.....BTW, I live in Obama's district (when he was state senator) . You will meet a very slick talker. A 'talker, not a walker', as they say. You will have to stay very adament in your demands. Just a suggestion, laugh as you may: Have a paper and pen. Have him sign his name to the paper where you have asked for more needed finances and help for NOLA....Di­d you read my suggestion, Harry?

[Apov]

I'm not ready to give up on Barak just yet. He did inherit quite a Republo-Christian mess.

For those of you that feel strongly about NOLA perhaps you might want to spend some of your vacation there helping out you fellow citizens.

[Pendragon2008]

We really need to drop the Republican and especially Christian bashing. This is America for god's sake, we have the right to disagree and express political opinions, and to practice religion freely.

The Republican Party is disgusted with Bush and his "legacy", including Romney, Palin and Jindal. A lot of Republicans I know not only didn't vote for him, they were calling for his impeachment. There's a big difference between neo-conservative and traditional conservative, and there's a lot of cronyism going on in both parties; we can't tar just the Republicans with the brush of bad politics.

It's time we stopped thinking in terms of Liberal vs Conservative, Republican vs Democrat and start thinking like Americans for a change.

[luziannagirl]

It's so nice to hear someone else beside us "liberals" singing our song---albeit a bit late---well a lot late---but I guess late is better than never.

[MyDogIsADemocrat]

Thank you. I am so tired of this us versus them mentality.

[DrLogic]

HuffPost's Pick

You're right. It is American and people can and do have the right to opine and worship as they choose. However, the Republican party (as an entity rather than a philosophical group) are the first to wear their religion on their sleeves. This is and of itself isn't wrong as much as it is annoying. They're the ones calling for religious displays in court buildings (10 Commandments), suspension of civil liberties on religious grounds (repeal of Roe v. Wade, blocks on same sex marriage), and an essential Theocracy.

I agree with you. The shift from actual conservatism to religious fundamentalism with a side of social conservatism is stupid and wrong. But it's up to you to take back your party. Do something so that Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, Coulter, et. al are no longer the de facto talking heads for conservatives. I can only imagine Goldwater is spinning in his grave.

When people who who don't have a direct line to the Big Man come to the table for a discussion, we might be able to achieve some compromise. But you cannot argue with their insanity. And "God said so" should never be the basis for a position, especially where civil liberties are concerned.

The problem with your argument is they WON'T allow us to act like Americans. And as long as they keep forcing their religion on my Constitution, it is an "us versus them" problem.

[Bobrobert]

What is a fool???

Is it foolish to build a city below sea level???

Is it foolish to pretend man can hold back the forces present in a hurricaine???

Is it foolish to insist on wasting money to defeat mother nature???

I give up???

What is a fool???

hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee

[AhnAmuru]

Read my posting and the references.

[AhnAmuru]

Sorry, three postings down.

[vesaversa1]

I would ask that Gov Jindal and the rest of New Orlean governing bodies find the billions of dollar that have already been sent to that city. This money have been mismanage from the begening all due to the republican obtructionist down there .I personally don't want to see one more tax dollar sent to new Orlean ,not until there is new leadership in that state .

[doctorj2u]

What billions? It is reimbursed billions. If you don't have the money to do the job, you can't touch the money. It is also tied tightly in red tape.

[Harry Shearer - Huffpost Blogger]

Gee, that's what the Bush supporters used to say when the governor was a Dem.

[auntiecairo]

Harry - I think there's perception that although there's much cleanup still to be done in both Louisiana and Mississippi, that New Orleans has been functioning for awhile and that some of the problem is an indecision on which direction to take New Orleans, whether to rebuild. I think it would be helpful to have a post of specifically what is needed. Living in Texas I know Galveston was decimated by Ike last year and is just now getting back to functioning - and some of it will never be restored. New Orleans is a national treasure and I think should receive any assistance needed -- but with so many cities in dire finanial situations (e.g. Detroit where houses are going fo $100) -- I think you need some sort of national spotlight on where things actually stand. It doesn't help having Jindahl out there saying everything is OK -- you and your friends are currently touring the country - why don't you have some sort of Farm Aid-type concert or even in New Orleans to remind people that while the French Quarter and Mardi Gras may be back there's still much work to be done.

[JXJASON]

Harry,

The problem began in New Orleans when people chose to live below sea level and in the flood plains.

The problems will never go away no matter how much money is spent trying to control hurricanes, tidal flooding, winds and flood surges.

Common sense, 40 years ago, taught me to live where I could be safe from natural disasters. I realize that it is sometimes difficult to move but if your house has been destroyed, why rebuild it on the beach or in flood zones.

For those of you who are not familiar with flood zone maps...the maps are available from the federal government and in many communities you cannot build within the 100 year flood plain.

[AhnAmuru]

27% of the Netherlands, about the size of Maryland, is below sea level. 60% of its population lives below sea level.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlands

Also, had the Netherlands not invested in their extensive levee system it's estimated that 65% of the country would be submerged.

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/070318/26dike.htm

Point? Check your premise.

[mouselion]

This issue is: The money.
Where does it come from, how do you get it?

[bannorhill]

The Netherlands after a 1953 flood that killed 1800 people changed how they used the levee system. They left the ohd levees in place and did not repair the breaches. Instead they moved the levees back and allowed marshes to grow to absorb the power of the North Sea storms. It has worked well.

So why not do the same in New Orleans? You can not. If you move the levees back a mile from the river and Lake Ponchartrain for marshes then the city would be left to a narrow strip less than a mile wide. If you also moved the levees on the canals there would be no city left.

While they may seem similar the problems facing New Orleans can not be solved like those in the Netherlands.

[dems08]

This isn't about you jxjason.

This is about a national treasure, and home to millions of people.

[doctorj2u]

Are you willing to support the 50% of New Orleans that is at or below sea level? I never knew citizenship was dependent on elevation. I missed that amendment.

[Harry Shearer - Huffpost Blogger]

Again, for the fourth time in this thread, more than 50% of New Orleans' populated area is at or above sea level. Many of the areas flooded in 2005 had never flooded before. It was not a natural disaster.

[luziannagirl]

Harry, do you think there would have been one scintilla of difference in the way the Bush Adm and now the Obama Adm have approached N.O.'s recovery, if the city has spoken more with one voice about a coming back with a smaller, denser, smarter, higher (structures elevated) greener "footprint"?

And yeah, I'm familiar with the stark racial/cultural inequities around this issue, i.e., low elevation black 9th Ward languishing while even lower elevation white Lakeview comes back. The question still stands, though.

[GH]

Harry - What? Areas above sea level get flooded all the time by natural disasters - that is the name of the game.

Man was not successful in preventing - or mitigating - the horrific damage caused by this natural disaster.

[joeplum88]

I think you are asking for something to be fixed that has never been able to be fixed. The levees will always be an issue because we have destroyed the wetlands..­.there's no way around it and no levee is going to solve the problems that Nola will face in the coming years. Personally I think it's quite silly to be whining about Obama at this stage in the game. Time will tell...let­'s wait a little longer than 3 months before we jump to saying that this is the second administration that's going to ignore the complex situation of trying to keep Nola a dry city for years to come!

[GoCards1978]

Sorry to say, Harry, but N'Awlins is still being treated like Detroit - my home town. Neither one deserves the back of this country's hand but they justify it due to the stupidity, greed and corruption exhibited by a few fat cat politicos/business people. What most people fail to realize is the vast majority of folks who pay for this behavior are those pirates' first victims. Sound familiar? We don't blame you for what has happened to your 401Ks or property values. Why is it still fashionable to treat us with that irrational level of disrespect? Closing thousands of dealerships may awaken the country's barely beating hearts so I hope they'll get the message with the Crescent City. A nation without a soul is not much more than acres of dirt.

[doctorj2u]

You are right. This isn't about elevation, This isn't about self relience. This is about an America that is based on greed and self absorption. This is about a country that has lost compassion. And at least a part of this is a country that can't come to terms with the rasicm at its core.

[steamboat]

Both NOLA and Detroit have something else in common: EXTREME crooked local politicians.

[personalpolitical]

Um, little busy right now, not sure if you've noticed, but the entire country needs to be bailed out. Sure, helping New Orleans is important, but give the man a break, he can't fix EVERYTHING Bush broke at the same time.

[nycoach]

Yes...Bush did it ALL himself...­.Pelosi and Reid didn't help at all....The­y ALL screwed it up...You really need to wake up

[mwhaley]

Pelosi and Reid didn't assume their current offices of House Speaker and Senate Majority Leader (respectively) until January of 2007, after Democrats won the majority in Congress the previous November. Republicans were the majority party in Congress up until that time. Bush didn't do it "all himself"; he had plenty of Republican support.

[dems08]

I don't think Harry expects President Obama to fix it personally.

He has people who can get to work on it.

[TOOO]

Is there any kind of legislation in Congress to address this issue? Remember, there's only so much the Executive Branch can do (signing statements not withstanding) without the approval of Congress. (It seems to me that when you add the Republicans AND the Blue Dog Democrats, the Republicans are still in control of Congress.)

But yes - I want to hear what exactly he has planned for NOLA - and all the other issues facing the country. I realize the economy may be his first priority, but he can't afford to be a one-issue President.

Keep speaking up for NOLA, Harry. We don't often hear from you in HuffPost.