[cajungirl]

The charm of NO is something you have to be there to understand. They may leave, I don't know. Some of them have very deep roots and businesses. We are talking about a place where when a girl is born, we know if she is gonna be Queen of Rex or Comus. That kind of people. Very unlike the rest of La. But I guess any old city with old families has the same thing.

The newcomers will leave more easily.

[benjaminjjones]

The charm of NO is something you have to be there to understand.

You're right about that, my Mom's whole family grew up there.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

IMO, New Orleans should and will be rebuilt, for all the right reasons. Because people have roots there. Because of the uniqueness and charm of the culture there. Because of the productive assets there. Because people want to live there. President Bush was right when he said one cannot imagine a USA without New Orleans.

Thus, the levees must and will be improved. Thus the homes and businesses must and will be rebuilt. New Orleans will be better than it was before the storm.

But to make it better, New Orleans and Louisiana owes those of us who will help a debt -- this to reform the abysmally corrupt political system therein. I for one object to my hard earned wages being confiscated to reward some corrupt official, who in turn rewards some corrupt businessman.

Not that I have much choice or control in the matter. But I hope and pray that the debacle of Katrina has opened some eyes.