Katrina: One Year Later

Nothing insightful today, nothing prophetic, on this the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and her devastating arrival on the U.S. Gulf Coast. I'm burned out on news coverage, and frankly, I don't want to relive the whole ordeal.

I was back in New Orleans in June. The tourist areas along the riverfront were lively, but not like the old days. Other parts of the city looked like they had been bombed.

New BaT readers can check out my Katrina coverage from late August through early September. I think this post still seems up my feelings best.

Money is never the complete answer. You also need integrity and common sense. The people of Louisiana deserve better from their elected leaders. But only they can hold the politicians accountable, and in the past, they haven't. Instead, they vote for legacy politicians like Mary Landrieu, whose qualifications consist of not much more than a famous last name.

Perhaps this will wake up the voters of Louisiana, who for so long have laughed about their inept politicians and their third-world image.

It's not very funny now, is it?

And a few months later, they re-elected Ray Nagin as mayor. The man he beat: Mary Landrieu's little brother Mitch. The Crescent City may rebuild one day, but this won't happen in a year, or two or three. Maybe in 10 years. Maybe.

But let's forget about politics for now. Instead, say a little prayer for the almost 2,000 people who lost their lives to Katrina and her aftermath. Then say one for the people in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama who escaped death but who have been emotionally wrecked, those who are finally recovering and those with the pioneering American spirit to rebuild.

God bless all y'all.