The Devastating Impact of Hurricane George

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The Devastating Impact of Hurricane George
by Mike Whitney
September 2, 2005

The Bush tax cuts and the skyrocketing costs of the war in Iraq have brought Falluja to Louisiana, the only difference being that snipers are not perched on the buildings to shoot the wounded on their way to the hospital.

As Will Bunch said, “Washington knew exactly what needed to be done to protect the citizens of New Orleans from disasters like Katrina. Yet federal funding for Louisiana flood control projects was diverted to pay for the war in Iraq.” The Army Corps of Engineers couldn't complete their vital work because Bush turned off the spigot while the levees continued to sink.

Bush also played a major role in savaging the wetlands that protect the surrounding area from the storm surges that result from hurricanes like Katrina. As Sidney Blumenthal points out, “Every two miles of wetland between the Crescent City and the Gulf reduces a surge by half a foot.” Even though he was aware of this, in 2003 Bush allowed developers to destroy the sensitive wetland areas that buffer the coast. It was the equivalent of taking the seat belts, air bags, and bumpers off a car and then driving the opposite way on the freeway. The disaster was just the predictable outcome of dreadfully flawed policies.

The looting is just another Karl Rove red-herring intended to draw attention from the criminal negligence of the Bush cabal. The 10ft. wave that marched through New Orleans, devastating everything in its path and creating a small army of American refugees, originated in Washington.

Don't forget it.

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Sept05/Whitney0902.htm