While getting my daily dose of news, I came across this article that talks about how bureaucratic non-sense is delaying the reconstruction of New Orleans. According to media reports, mayor Ray Nagin has met with officials from France and Jordan in order to receive foreign aids, due to the bureaucratic “logjam” that is preventing reconstruction funds from being used.
Katrina was a horrific disaster, and it has virtually destroyed the entire city of New Orleans. While it may not be as prestigious or important as East coast and West coast metropolitan cities, New Orleans is still an important American city. Its mardi gras festival is well reputed to be the most decadent street festival in North America, its exquisite cajun cuisine is loved by many and its architecture and flair are living history.
It has been a few months since the disaster hit, and George W. Bush came to town, announcing incredible amount of federal help to rebuild New Orleans to its former glory. While the money may be theoretically available, it is incredibly tragic that reconstruction hasn’t started yet. What’s more tragic is how desperate the lawmakers of New Orleans and Louisiana must be in order to appeal directly to foreign powers. It would be tragically ironic if France officially gives reconstruction money directly to New Orleans (although, given international relations, France wouldn’t go that far to piss off George W. Bush…).
It is a tale of incredible complexity: one pitting man’s plan for reconstruction against nature’s destructive agenda. However, if things do not move faster, more problems may arise since another hurricane season is coming. Once the city starts its reconstruction efforts, I’m definately planning on visiting the city. I’ve been to New Orleans twice before, and I didn’t get a chance to explore the city well. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to visit the city, and by doing so, inject some tourist cash into the local economy.