You're a good squad leader Moosey...I think that would make you an amazing president of the world!

Quickly about the Gulf stuff...I've been to New Orleans 2 times now. It is the most culturally amazing place I have ever seen(yea, I live by that "melting pot" called New York). Do I think they should have created the city that would inevitably succumb to an "ice cube tray" effect?...absolutely not. Do I think they should abandon a place so rich in history and culture as New Orleans?...my brain says "yea, it's just bound to happen again"...but my heart (as I'm sure the hearts of every resident of the Gulf area) says "absolutely not." Honestly, if the National Guard forces are used as suggested last night (on CNN, apparently Pres. Bush has been in contact with the governor of Louisiana), the water will be cleared in 6-8 weeks and the levees can be rebuilt in another 6 or so weeks. Will the human resources be used promptly and efficiently? Probably not (have they ever? haha). Heck, if no National Guard is sent down there to carry out the rebuilding process, I'll grab my toolkit and get to work...pretty sure I might have some help from a couple residents of New Orleans .

Can it be done? I'm pretty sure we beat the snot out of Japan and Germany a little while ago worse than this hurricane did to the Gulf...look where they are now...

SO, all that awesome logic says "of course you should just let the area turn into a giant marsh land - come on...they had to have above ground cemetaries!". But you know what, that good old heart is throwing wrenches into things again (OMG like with girls!) and saying "put yourself in the shoes of those down there...maybe it's better to help."

OK, /soapbox...hopefully feathers remain unruffled .

While building New Orleans in that location seems stupid bcause of it's ice cube effect, they will probably rebuild...I mean, as was mentioned it's a cultural spot, so that will be one thing that moves them to rebuild it. As for the rebuild process being "just that simple"...I'm not sure if you can use that term for the fact that it won't be easy. Almost all the buildings will have to be checked for mold and then most will have to be fixed so that they are inhabitable. They will also have to rebuild the levees to a better height to try and avoid this from happening again (probably reinforce them too).

As for oil...I don't even want to talk about it. I've only have my full license since March 28, and I've seen the gas prices in Canada go from .75 to 1.27 (that was one place this morning) in this little time...And I mean, I can see a spike now due to the loss of some rigs, but before this devastation...it all seems sketchy....INQUIRY!

That is all...for now

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<b>-The Sergeant Is Back, And It's Time To Be Executed.</b>

Agreed Ren. If it was all heart, there is no doubt about the rebuilding. Can we rebuild it? Yep, bigger and better than ever. Will it last? Only time will tell.

My basic problem is with having taxpayers funding loans and the rebuilding of a city that is doomed to the same fate once or twice every 100 years. Even after its rebuilt and the loans are paid off, I would bet Joe taxpayer continues to help fund the federal flood insurance that they are required to carry (not sure here, but I doubt they are required to pay the full premium...I bet it is goverment/taxpayer subsidized).

So there the debate lies - history, culture, and heritage versus every taxpayer in the country sinking money into a region doomed to the same fate. At some point, you have to pull the plug and say we will no longer waste dollars into the "ice cube tray", only to see them washed into the ocean once every 50-100 years along with the lives that are lost during such tragedies.

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--> Born in 1972 and unable to PM or post without an editorial review, ! <--


No moose hunting without a license ! Licensing fees available by request .
Why hunt moose anyway? We're just big, slow, dumb, and make for easy kills...oops.

They should jsut build a huge dome over New Orleans...that way, the next time it happens, the water just sloshes against the dome. I figure if they have to do something, the easiest is to build higher, thicker, stronger levees, and to me, this is the easier solution

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<b>-The Sergeant Is Back, And It's Time To Be Executed.</b>

WOW......

Reading this topic put me back in my old high school civics class!

Moose, forget about public office, you should run for President!

I think the Sgt is right..... Build a giant dome around the city... at the top have a sliding door to allow aircraft in and out. Now that would be a sight! Impractical but very cool to see none the less!

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DUNNA you way overestimate yourself...I'm usually yawning by your twentieth word!

Sorry to lighten the conversation...back to RDN (Rebel Dawgs Network) coverage of the continuing events surrounding the hurricane Katrina aftermath.

The problem is we humans are proud and vain, only man would build a city under sea level and marvel at his own work and balk when it comes undone. Every natural inclination that has driven the majority of life on this planet to survive has done so by seeking shelter on high ground. Yes we are modern with the greatest technological boon in the history of mankind, but we still can't build a structure as sound and enduring as the ancient pyramids... we are vain.

Don't get me wrong, I feel for the people suffering because of this tragety. New Orleans is rich in history and culture. I believe it will be rebuilt, will it happen again? We all have the right to build homes in the middle of a swamp that's right next to the ocean if we want to, and if we can attract enough people to live there, we'll develop our own culture too. Shoot the indians had a nice rich cultural existence going on, until someone decided they could utilize their land a whole lot better.

Culture and historical value aren't enough, to justify the cost. If the death toll is as high as the Mayor believes, is it worth the cost to rebuild that region and risk another disaster, loss of human lives, and with the war going on, now it affects our national security.

This economy is shaky, has been shaky for too long. We have a War on two fronts overseas. Record unemployment, a floundering healthcare system, and now a natural disaster. Some former priorities need to be re-assessed NOW!

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"Down with democracy... we need more dictatorships"! Galamoth
"Derms, celebrate your independance"! Babz

All of the South is not flooded however we're definately feeling the effects. A lot of people are coming to Tennessee seeking refuge. My church and the larger governing body's efforts are just a few of the many efforts going on to help the displaced. The Lousiana & Mississippi coasts are pretty much a pile of rubble. This is one big reason we need our National Guard HERE instead of across the ocean.

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Maybe Dunna will be my running mate as VP?

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--> Born in 1972 and unable to PM or post without an editorial review, ! <--


No moose hunting without a license ! Licensing fees available by request .
Why hunt moose anyway? We're just big, slow, dumb, and make for easy kills...oops.

Certainly do better than our current President & VP.

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Please don't start pointing fingers at one particular person (aka the current president) for the oil situation. Every administration for the last 30 years has had an opportunity to do something about the impending oil crisis and NONE of them have (Democrat and Republican alike). This surpasses political parties and boundaries. Just like the border situation . . .

Both parties have their money grubbing hands in the oil industry to some extent.

Right now, pray for the folks who are suffering, donate money, blood, time and whatever else you are capable of donating. If you can make your homes available to anyone you might possibly know and trust who is a victim, do it. I am so overwhelmed by this event, I want to, and will help. Call the Red Cross to find out what you can do. I have had fleeting thoughts of buying a boat, driving down there, and picking people up to move them to dry and safe land. That's a bit impractical, but I will certainly be calling the Red Cross to see what I "can" do. I have lots of childrens clothes, a crib, toys, a little money, some time, and the desire.

Lots of prayers going that direction right now.

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I have a long list of things. Not just oil. I do know it's more than just W.

Think we need special prosecuters to investigate the whole oil industry. But then again that could just be another waste of our tax dollars.

Off my soap box now.

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Back to the oil price control issue a second. I'm the biggest free market guy around. If oil prices continue to be high what happens? More entrants into the market will drive down profits and oil prices. Alternative energy sources which were once too expensive now become realistic. People will use less oil becuase it's too expensive. I have full faith that the oil issue will solve itself - maybe not next year, but in 5 or 10 years. Price controls will prevent those natural remedies from happening.

Every time I look at the news, I'm shaken... this is our version of the Southeast Asian Tsunami.

As for the politics of it all. I have a problem with most "professional" politicians. Some of those jokers have been keeping seats warm for too damn long.

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"Down with democracy... we need more dictatorships"! Galamoth
"Derms, celebrate your independance"! Babz

Going back to the vain topic: It is proven here, this is a thread about a horrible tragedy that happened on our soil and it's degenerated into a discussion about people angry at Bush about their oil prices. Take a step back and look at this from a 3rd person standpoint and you'll see it too.

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