A Tale of Two Cities-

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."  Man, how appropriate are those words today!!!

This photo from the Houston Chronicle really sums it up.  Here,  the National Guard troops are doing what they are supposed to do: guarding. They were unable to do that last time,  because they were so busy rescuing people who didn't or couldn't evacuate.  The remnants of their Katrina efforts remains spray painted on the front of the building. (The orange letters mean the home was searched on 9/29 and one dog was found in the house.)

This time, it was the best of times,  because so few lives were lost (in comparison), and the levees held remarkably well considering the force placed against them.

It was the worst of times,  as almost 2 million people were uprooted from their homes,  bussed to places where they don't know anyone, and were forced to wait it out in crowded conditions without knowing whether they will even have a home to go home to.

The 2 cities left behind after Katrina and Gustav are very different,  but much the same in many, many ways!

There is still tons of rebuilding to do, and much of what was rebuilt after Katrina will have to be re-rebuilt after Gustav (have you ever seen what a hurricane can do to a contruction site,  where there is nothing to keep the wind and rain out of the partially constructed building?!).  Mayor Nagin has asked the people of New Orleans to stay away one more day so crews can restore power,  clear the streets,  and shore up anything that's unsafe.  There are power lines to be replaced.  Traffic signals to repair.  And pounds and pounds of garbage, detrius, and debris that has been blown from dumpsters, landfills,  and abandoned buildings into streets,  waterways,  and even people's yards.  Trees are down.  Signs were blown over.  And there is probably not an awning or fence intact in the entire state of Louisiana.  These people left beautifully manicured homes and lawns,  and will come home to yards full of shingles,  building materials,  downed limbs,  and even the occasional McDonald's bag. They still need the love and support of Miss G's readers and of the nation!  We are one nation under God... we need to remain indivisible! 

(I apologize to the bulk of my readers for my rant.  I had a point to make!)

By the way,  you know those metal chain link fences that most of us associate with urban blight and find really unattractive? 

 

They were invented on the Gulf coast and were originally called "Hurricane Fences", because they had virtually no surface area and would not blow down in a hurricane.  They were enourmously popular when I was a kid,  because they kept dogs in and kids out,  and lasted forever and ever.  Most people have replaced them with more attractive fencing now,  but the next time you see one, don't think "ugh!", think "ingenious!"

Tags: Gustav, New Orleans, compassion, hurricane fence,