[links.katrina]

[wispfox]

From... someone. I followed too many links to get to this, and now I can't remember. :)

Corps officials: Funding levels not to blame for flooding (http://www.bugmenot.com works for logging in)

Comments

[johnpalmer.livejournal.com]

I'm mildly skeptical. I mean, I don't want to say "this violates my preconceived notions, so I reject it", but the military will not, in general, speak ill of its higher-ups. Sometimes it's because of blackmail (Do it, and you're in big trouble), sometimes it's because of bribery (be nice to us, and we'll be nice to you), sometimes it's because "ours is not to wonder why, ours is but to do or die".

It *could* be true. It could also be damage control.

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

*nod* Quite. Note that I'm not saying either way if this is true or not. I have no way to know. :)

and sometimes...

[(Anonymous)]

Blackmail and bribery happen, but they are very rare indeed. Far more often, it is that in the military, loyalty is a cardinal virtue, and disloyalty is a cardinal sin. Except in those situations that involve higher violations of the codes, honesty doesn't even come close, and even then it's far more about not sheltering certain classes of dirtbag than about the honesty or dishonesty itself.

that having been said, I've not read the article, and can't comment on the specifics.

[dragontdc.livejournal.com]

The General claimed that the flooding "in the French Quarter and Central Business District" would have still happened. It is my understanding that these areas were the LEAST affected by flooding. He says nothing about the 9th Ward.

I'm a big believer in the idea that throwing money at a problem does nothing but waste money if there isn't competent management and well-thought-out planning.

If it wasn't a funding problem, it was either mismanagement or incompetence.

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

I'm a big believer in the idea that throwing money at a problem does nothing but waste money if there isn't competent management and well-thought-out planning.

Agreed. Indeed, I think that link said that the problem was that the levies were designed for level 3, not level 5 (I think Katrina was 5?).

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

Oh, no. Level 4, when it hit the coast. Still, higher than the levies were (apparently) ever intended to handle.