I'll tell you what I think:
I think this is a damned odd proposal to come from an alleged conservative.
Just damned odd.
Where would you find the authorization to do this in the Constitution?
Yeah, yeah, I know: "Commerce clause." But really, don't you think the people of Louisiana, and specifically, the residents of New Orleans, should solve their own problems?
And my perspective is this: I HAVE family there (well, not there now) and I still feel this way.
My suggestion would be this: remove ALL federal subsidies for insurance for coastal areas, or any flood-prone areas, for that matter.
Then those who can still afford to live in flood-prone areas can purchase their own insurance - or not, as they see fit - and the federal government can deal with NATIONAL issues.
And one more thing: ever wonder why nobody's tried to dam the channels between Ponchartrain and the Gulf - other than the fact it's a ship and barge channel?
It's because that's not one neat little watercourse, but a vast morass of swampland, a large area of porous ground that is little inclined to support a dam.
While I can't speak for CB, I can for myself. I was an American before I was a conservative.
Let me tell you something about us American's: We can be a very stubborn and pig headed bunch at times. When adversity deals us a blow we tend to get a little ticked off, pick ourselves back up, and fight back.
We have had in the past a "can do" attitude when it came to seemingly impossible tasks (Panama Canal, Man of the moon, etc..) no reason we can't have that attitude back. In fact I think that kind of thinking needs to be rekindled in the country, it's been lacking for some time now, mostly due to liberal whining, political correctness you name it.
So I don't mind putting my conservative creds on the line by saying FU to Katrina, the looters, the naysayers and who or whatever else.