Does New Orleans matter as a city? Read this:

[flowomo]

I highly recommend that you take a look at a short article by George Friedman in the latest issue of The New York Review of Books, available online at: www.nybooks.com/articles/18292

Friedman, whom I knew when he taught in the 1980s at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, where I teach, explains in clear terms why New Orleans was an inevitable city, a central element of our national prosperity and security -- and must be rebuilt. He clearly explains the pivotal role the city played in the nation's growth and notes its military significance from the time of the Lousiana Purchase forward. Andrew Jackson was deeply concerned about the defense of Texas against Mexico largely because he was determined to protect New Orleans. German U-boats in World War II targeted New Orleans. You've heard of the "Battle of New Orleans" in 1815, but probably don't fully understand its significance.

The media and the politicians fix on the cultural and human significance of New Orleans -- the jazz, French Quarter, black and Cajun culture -- and those things matter. But if you want to grasp the geopolitical significance of the city, read this article.

The article makes it clear that New Orleans is not just a quaint place where Americans go to party, but as important to the country's continued economic strength as New York or Los Angeles.

[malaise]

1. That is what makes it so sad

that NOLA's economic wealth has not been shared with its citizens. Something else that interests me is the large number of oil spills that accompanied this catastrophe. I hope the people of Georgia are watching that since their pristine lands can face a major disaster with that pipe line.

[flowomo]

2. NOLA doesn't have much wealth....

it is the city that makes everyone else's wealth possible. This is the point that has been overlooked by almost everyone commenting on its destruction.

[Neocondriac]

3. Of course....

New Orleans must be rebuilt. The only problem I have with Louisiana in general is the acute level of coruption and the acceptance of it by its citizenry. Now that big $$$$$ will be flowing into the region it will get even worse. It's part of the landscape in the southern delta.

[flowomo]

8. and it could be built to serve its economic functions....

without much population. Ports are highly automated now. I don't think Friedman addresses that adequately. It would be sad if it went that way.

[esvhicl]

4. Oil and strategic port

I argue that our country is already being invaded by NeoCons. First the coup d'etat (election 2000) followed by anthrax attacks to quiet the opposition (started in Daschle's office-face it folks the Dems are not wimps, they are being threatened). Then 911 (don't forget how the markets were taken over--and the "put" options that bankrolled the new shadow govt.'s treasury).

Now they have a major strategic port and they can strangle the South.

They can't wait for an earthquake in So. Cal. Then they can take over that area.

This is how you invade a govt. from within. Fascism is on the rise.

[flowomo]

5. Uh, "strangle the South" hardly covers it....

as the article makes clear. New Orleans about much much more than oil or the South.

[esvhicl]

6. Also of interest

I friend sends me this market newsletter published by Adrian Van Eyck.

Here's a portion for your reading pleasure. (Can't link it 'cause I don't subscribe.)

"Today one of the worst-hit New Orleans areas (still partly submerged) is right next to an oil refinery. Because of the size and strength of that refinery, it has come through the giant storm far better than the houses in the adjacent neighborhood. If the houses have to be bulldozed when the last of the water is drained out, leaving a layer of toxic sludge to be removed after the sun bakes it dry – then the company that owns that huge refinery complex has let it be known that it covets the land now occupied by ruined houses… and it would pay the owners of these houses generously if everyone agrees to sell.

America has not seen a new a new refinery in 25 years. In that time, with the population having grown by 70 million people, the need for more U.S. refinery capacity is desperate. Where is a better place to build a new refinery than right next to a current refinery? There is plenty of oil coming into New Orleans from offshore wells, and the refinery would have a built-in supply. Right now the shortage of gasoline has sent consumer gasoline prices higher, even as oil and gasoline futures have retraced all of their gains related to Hurricane Katrina. The taxes from a refinery would be a boon to New Orleans and to Louisiana, helping to rebuild infrastructure and pay for needed improvements to the levees that keep out storm-raised waters."

[flowomo]

7. kick