Is the issue not rather whether more could not have been done to evacuate people before disaster struck, when roads and railways were passable? This is not like an earthquake disaster where there is no forewarning. The likelihood of the breaching of the levees was foreseen well before the hurricane actually hit.
Roger Musson
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Natural hazards and disasters
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of James
> Cohen
> Sent: 02 September 2005 14:43
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Poverty, looters, the real looters -- the Urban
> Predicament
>
>
> With all due respect, please let's be realistic. Today is Friday. The
> disaster occurred less than one week ago. 80% of an entire
> was evacuated in
> 24 hours. Regarding the conditions at the Astrodome,
> conditions are indeed
> deplorable. However, there were virtually passable roads and
> no serviceable
> airports. In third world countries such conditions have led to seasons
> passing before aid can reach disaster victims. UNHCR would
> most certainly
> not be able to relocate 60,000 people in this timeframe using SPHERE
> criteria within a 72 hour period where there is no access.
>
> Also, yes, poverty is deplorable. However, the vast majority
> of those in New
> Orleans who are poor are not looting electronics and other
> non-essentials.
> Forgiving shootings and theft based on greed because one is
> poor is morally
> indefensible.
>
> James Cohen, PE
> James Cohen Consulting, PC
> http://expertpages.com/jccpc
>
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