Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Warning: Bush is "studying" Cat 5 protection

I have to correct myself. I earlier asked if anyone had heard from Donald Powell, our all-mighty recovery czar. Now I just want to say to Powell, "If you don't have anything good to say, then shut the eff up!":

Powell, repeatedly describing his visit as one of "learning" and "discovery," said he is not sure when an administration decision will be made regarding a Category 5 levee system.

"I think it's important to study that," Powell said. "Hopefully, a decision will come sooner than later." ...

Powell said he does not see himself as a chief executive of the recovery effort, but rather a listener and facilitator to carry a message back to Washington.

"My job . . . is to come and to listen and to help convey the message from the local people -- I'll work with people in the towns, parishes, cities and the state -- it will be their vision, the local people's vision, about how to rebuild the Gulf Coast.

Hey man -- the local vision is Category 5 storm protection. Every single friggin' person on the street will tell you that. And they'll tell you the commitment needs to happen yesterday. And, by the way, when did you think you might get around to "convey the message" to your village idiot boss. I mean, it took you -- what? Over two months to get here?!

4 Comments:

At 11/30/2005 02:06:00 PM, Blogger Maverick said...

I heard someone say (don't remember where) that there is not even the science to provide Cat 5 protection....

Don't know how this will pan out.

Stacie

Spitting in a Wishing Well

 
At 11/30/2005 06:00:00 PM, Blogger oyster said...

That's untrue. The science is "there" for a Cat 5 (or at least something beyond a Cat 4.) on 870am, an Army COrps spokesman pointed to some examples throughout the world of Cat 5 protection.

It's a challenging but not impossible task-- just requires some will.

 
At 12/01/2005 10:38:00 AM, Blogger Schroeder said...

I heard the comment that the science doesn't exist -- who was it? Someone who was using that as a delaying tactic. It was on NPR.

Ah, yes ... it was NAGIN!!!

Friggin' loser.

I have it here:

http://peoplegetready.blogspot.com/2005/11/2012-category-5-studies-schmuddies.html

 
At 12/01/2005 10:42:00 AM, Blogger Schroeder said...

Oh ... and the Corps has a Cat 5 levee project for New Orleans that's been sitting on a shelf for 30 years.


Why it was never implemented gets to the crux of the problem the Corps has always had -- it is too often swayed by political winds. Budget cuts and the mood of Congress and the White House both play an important role (i.e., what they want to emphasize or *de-emphasize* among Corps activities), but so does the willingness of local leaders to go along with Corps projects and put up matching funds.

 

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