Will Obama keep his Gulf Coast promises?

[Louisiana1976]

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President Obama must soon make a crucial decision that will test his oft-repeated commitment that his administration "will keep the broken promises made by President Bush to rebuild New Orleans and the Gulf Coast." During his campaign, the President sharply criticized the glacial pace of the federal assistance to Katrina victims, promising "to partner with the people of the Gulf Coast to build now, stronger than ever," to restore the hurricane storm buffering coastal wetlands, and to rebuild essential infrastructure, hospitals, and schools.

During the next two months, President Obama must decide whether his Justice Department will appeal Judge Duval's ruling and prolong the Katrina victims' litigation for many more years. Hours after the court's decision, a defiant Army Corps announced that it would litigate the case all the way to the Supreme Court. Fortunately, the President is also Commander-in-Chief, and he alone will decide what happens.

Katrina victims have a modest proposal for their Government: restore the wetlands, rebuild the infrastructure, and fairly compensate the victims. At the same time, Congress must also reform the Corps of Engineers which has become an oxymoron--there are few competent engineers left and project planning and construction is largely outsourced. Specifically, the lawmakers must mandate expert civilian review of all water development projects and repeal the archaic flood control immunity that Justice John Paul Stevens has described as "nothing more than an engine of injustice."

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pierce-odonnell/what-will-president-obama_b_374427.html