It seems appropriate that I reposted Bush’s Jackson Square speech yesterday, because later in the day, I read a story that said he plans to veto a largely bipartisan bill (381-40) passed in Congress to help provide better levee protection for Jean Lafitte, Jefferson, Orleans, Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes.
Just yesterday, one of Bush’s party members, John L. Mica of Florida, the top Republican on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee said…
If we have to override that veto, we need to do that. Our job is to make certain that we build the infrastructure of this country.
Then, as if by some divine intelligence, a bridge collapses in Minneapolis. This after a steam pipe explosion in New York a while back.
And hey, what’s 20 Billion these days?
It’s 1/25 of the War in Iraq. And the money spent on the war in Iraq would build 50 complete levee systems.
Don’t forget what you said Georgie:
That is our vision for the future, in this city and beyond: we’ll not just rebuild, we’ll build higher and better. To meet this goal, I will listen to good ideas from Congress, and state and local officials, and the private sector.
In the long run, the New Orleans area has a particular challenge, because much of the city lies below sea level. The people who call it home need to have reassurance that their lives will be safer in the years to come. Protecting a city that sits lower than the water around it is not easy, but it can and has been done.
More people around the world (i.e., me) needed to know this. Most of the friends I have made around here have been with me to New Orleans both pre and post Katrina. They are horrified at what is going on. This would have made/will make them furious. Thanks for the update.