An Open Letter to New Orleans Residents

[manasecret]

Another great argument that fails completely. Disasters happen everywhere, all along the Gulf Coast with hurricanes, not just New Orleans, all along the East Coast with hurricanes (though not as often, still happens), all along the West Coast (again not as often, but still happens), all through the middle of the United States in Tornado Alley, floods happen all along any river or creek (which practically any city or town is near one), and blizzards and heat waves (heat waves!) kill people every year in the rest of the country.

Now tell me, where exactly should New Orleans residents move?

I, on the other hand, think that the city with the most still existing history of any city in the United States, is worth preserving. I think any city in America is worth preserving, because it is fucking America, no matter where you live. Get off your damn high horse and realize that.

[Vampyr]

Lived in Kentucky for 21 years and never came close to being the victim of a tornado, earthquake, or hurricane.

I agree with both of you:

They need to get the hell out for a week or two when these hurricanes hit, then come back.

I also think you're both wrong though. People can't just "move" whenever they feel like it, it's a huge financial decision that most people living there probably couldn't do even if they did want too.

But saying everywhere else is just as risky as living in New Orleans, a land mass that is quite a bit below sea level and a target for huge hurricanes, isn't true. There are other places that dangerous, but they're not as common as you're making it sound.

[manasecret]

First off, I don't remember now where I read that New Orleans has the most nationally recognized historic landmarks of any city in the U.S. While New Orleans is certainly one of the most historic cities, a Google search doesn't seem to back that it has the most historic landmarks. New York City by far has the most, with 108. That's ironic, though, because New York City, along with New Orleans and Miami, is considered one of the top three cities to be at risk of major disaster from a hurricane.

I guess New York City residents should also fucking move already, Professor?

Originally Posted by Vampyr

Lived in Kentucky for 21 years and never came close to being the victim of a tornado, earthquake, or hurricane.

First off, 21 years is not that long of a time in the grand scheme of things. I don't know specifically how in danger Kentucky is of disaster, but most people in the United States are at risk of some kind of disaster in their lifetime. The whole point is, where does Prof. S's line of thinking stop? Should the whole of the Gulf Coast be transplanted to Kentucky? What if some part of Kentucky is hit by a major river flood, should then all of those people near there be transplanted somewhere else? Where does that end? The line of thinking is ridiculous.

I agree with both of you:

They need to get the hell out for a week or two when these hurricanes hit, then come back.

I also think you're both wrong though. People can't just "move" whenever they feel like it, it's a huge financial decision that most people living there probably couldn't do even if they did want too.

Another excellent point that I forgot to bring up. How exactly do all of the people in New Orleans and all the people in the surrounding areas that depend on the economy of New Orleans (one of the biggest and busiest ports in the U.S.) just get up, leave their lives, and move? Would you be able to do that, Prof?

But saying everywhere else is just as risky as living in New Orleans, a land mass that is quite a bit below sea level and a target for huge hurricanes, isn't true. There are other places that dangerous, but they're not as common as you're making it sound.

Of course other places may not be as risky, but like I said, where does that line of thinking end? When we all live in one spot that is deemed the safest in the United States?

A better line of thinking is, how do we protect New Orleans? With all the engineering we have today, how can we just say, "let's give up and move"? Taking a good look at the Dutch Delta Works is a pretty good start for figuring out a solution. It is possible to protect the city, but backwards thinking like Professor S's and others keeps us from doing that.

[Combine 017]

Hahaha, thats such a dumb placement of a large amount of people. But I suppose most of the people living there dont have any common sense or else they would realize that they are below the sea level. I say let natural selection deal with everything.

Originally Posted by manasecret

Another great argument that fails completely. Disasters happen everywhere, all along the Gulf Coast with hurricanes, not just New Orleans, all along the East Coast with hurricanes (though not as often, still happens), all along the West Coast (again not as often, but still happens), all through the middle of the United States in Tornado Alley, floods happen all along any river or creek (which practically any city or town is near one), and blizzards and heat waves (heat waves!) kill people every year in the rest of the country.

Yes, disasters happen everywhere, no one said they didnt. But this thread isnt about everywhere, its about new orleans.