The Inauguration and New Orleans

[NOW tense]

How is it that so many people were able to get to the National Mall and then leave? It was on a much larger scale then evacuating 500,000 people out of New Orleans.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. There was public transportation.

It also helped that the roads weren't under water.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. They weren't evacuating from a natural disaster

They were also there knowing they would be leaving. That's quite a bit different from leaving your home.

[geckosfeet]

3. No flooding. Electricity. Open streets. Lines of communication.

One could make an argument that it was cold out - but I am not sure that compares.

I take your point though. Even with catastrophic infrastructure damage, a "superpower" should have been able to manage better.

[NOW tense]

4. I understand that it is completely different circumstances

but by all accounts it was a 1/4 of the people to move out of N.O.

[lynnertic]

5. weren't there also 30,000 troops/deputies in DC?

[arcadian]

8. There were National Guard troops stationed on EVERY intersection

Not to mention the many more merely roaming around creating a presence. I agree with the OP to some extent on this, to bad they didn't create that presence in N.O.

[Stardust]

6. Not to defend those in charge of the New Orleans evacuation, but those

in charge of the Inauguration had considerable time to prepare .

[NOW tense]

7. I am starting to regret my post.

I should have thought more before I hit post.

[arcadian]

9. Not at all. Your post brings up good logistical concerns.

I want to know how there were 1.8 million people in D.C. and not one arrest. I think law enforcement was told in no uncertain terms that they were not to make any arrests.

[Stardust]

12. It was a valid question and made us all think. I do hope our government learned from Katrina and

wil NEVER allow such a tragedy to happen again.

And as much as I dislike Diane Feinstein , I have to give her credit for the Inaugural success. While there were some problems, by and large it must have not been too bad or there might have been unrest and ensuing arrests.

[MasonJar]

10. New Orleans needs to be on the Obama agenda this week. It is time

to revitalize that magnificent city. Let's all get the word out to Obama and Congress asap. That should be a top priority.

[RB TexLa]

11. the president and Americans would have to care about Louisiana to do that. I'll give you a hint:

they don't.