August 31, 2005
WHEN THE LEVEE BREAKS
When the levee breaks I’ll have no place to stay.
Mean old levee taught me to weep and moan,
Lord, mean old levee taught me to weep and moan,
For a few hours there it looked like New Orleans had dodged the big
meteorological bullet as Hurricane Katrina veered away from a direct
hit. The worst-case scenario involved the ocean flowing into the bowl-
like topography that is New Orleans. Unfortunately, the city's undoing
came from an ever-present yet less imminent threat. The levee keeping
Lake Ponchartrain from flowing into the city busted--along a length of
200 to 500 feet depending on reports--and the lake is pouring into the
Big Easy.
The devsstation of such an event really can't be overstated. New
Orleans is a city of more than a million people and has historical
roots stretching back hundreds of years, before the formal foundation
of this country. Its milieu of Spanish, French, and American culture
is evidence of the territory's mixed provenance and a testament to what
makes America the country it is.
Right now, New Orleans is literally drowning, as are many of its
residents. Power is down; fuel, potable water, shelter, and food are
scarce. While an event like 9/11 was a true affront to sovereignty
that aroused a sympathetic reaction, what's happening right now in
Louisiana (and neighboring states) is a catastrophe that threatens the
well-being of a number people of a much greater magnitutde.
I'll take this time and space to link to a
href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9115520/" target=_blank">page at
MSNBC, which lists various avenues to contribute aid in time of a
national disaster. If you happen to be in Louisiana and need Red Cross
assistance, please call them here: 1-800-469-4828.
Posted by Lexiphane at August 31, 2005 12:18 AM
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