[cajungirl]

are you really suggesting that the half million people, human beings, who lived in NO were all criminals and corrupt?

If you are, you are indeed a fool.

And NO has a culture that is far wider than crime and corruption. As do most cities.

[GladesGuru]

That is not at all what I said. But what I will more clearly define for you what I meant: In any American city, those who live there for a long time are responsible for their city and its government.

The undeniable fact that NOLA was a den of waste, welfare, and corruption is directly the fault of the citizens, who could have voted the rascals out but chose not to so do.

In this Republic, one is responsible for one's acts, especially the consequences of one's voting.

I think Will & Ariel Durant said it best, that civilization exists at the whim of weather and geology.

For NOLA to have squandered as much tax money as they did and gotten as little for their money speaks volumes for their obliviousness of, and probable acquiescence to, corruption which not only robbed them effective and productive flood protection, it even (unnecessarily) cost some of their lives.

They knew this was going to happen and refused to take the minimal precautions available to them, and in some cases, those precautions were even paid for by others.

I have no doubt that the political classes in NOLA are deeply saddened - the gravy train is off the track.

And the GAO and others are now asking where the money went. 'Bout time!