tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612844.post112558662015973169..comments2023-10-02T04:25:26.717-04:00Comments on Prophet or Madman: Reality Check on the Gulf Coast DisasterBrainwisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05365589218358614091noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612844.post-1125667678804299312005-09-02T09:27:00.000-04:002005-09-02T09:27:00.000-04:00Part of the problem is that the sea didn't claim N...Part of the problem is that the sea didn't claim New Orleans, Lake Ponchatrain did. The Eye went to the East, so New Orleans had winds from the North during the worst part, blowing water in from Lake Ponchatrain. That's also where the levy broke<BR/><BR/>Also, anyone who dies within 3 months of injuries sustained during Katrina will be counted as a casualty of Katrina. 91 days, and it's some other reason, not Katrina. We won't know the official death toll for 3 months.<BR/><BR/>Mira, EMT-BMirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08413028900582387026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612844.post-1125603491047916842005-09-01T15:38:00.000-04:002005-09-01T15:38:00.000-04:00I read the full text of the article. I feel that ...I read the full text of the article. I feel that the author is over the top in his death-toll estimates, for the following reasons: <BR/><BR/>(1) I am suspicious that anyone can really make a statistical comparison to another hurricane with much different behavior, <BR/><BR/>(2) I don't think that we can know how resourceful people are in getting out of their predicament. Certainly, many elderly, disabled, and ill folks will perish, but I think that the will to live is very strong in those who are relatively strong, and they will or have made their way out. The situation is so chaotic now, that probably many people have saved themselves without rescuers knowing it.<BR/><BR/>(3) I think the author overstated the damage to some of the cities. While Gulfport, MS was probably wiped, I have read that about half of Biloxi survived, and I don't think that either of these cities have water standing 20 feet deep for days. Also, only about 1/3 of Mobile flooded, with a maximum depth of about 10 feet.<BR/><BR/>I would guess that the death toll will be in the thousands, which is still horrific.<BR/><BR/>The author does make some very good points, about the kind of response that is needed. Clearly, the Bush Regime is not doing what it takes, and we are seeing the results of FEMA being gutted in the name of the Iraq colonization and the sham "war on terror". The author is also right on the illogic of attempting to rebuild New Orleans in its current location. <BR/><BR/>The people should be evacuated, treated for their injuries and illnesses, and relocated to housing elsewhere. Then, New Orleans should be given back to the sea. The mighty ocean has argued convincingly that it wants this area back.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com