Wednesday, August 31, 2005
What's there to say about the disaster? I hope every thing goes as smoothly as it can for everyone displaced. So useless to say, but still, it needs to be said. I can't imagine what it's like for anyone able-bodied, let alone someone with compromised health, or a newborn infant, or even a difficult family situation--can you imagine the hundred thousand already intense dramas this is complicating?
& that, as usual, the shortsightedness of the government (especially these days) is so staggeringly stupid. You probably know what I mean.
I'd love to read an article by someone who has experience in handling natural disasters--someone who was involved in (the aftermath of) the Indonesian tsunami of last year, for example. Someone who could assess soberly what the prognosis is for New Orleans in the future; and for the present (what is happening to the people we can't see on tv, for example); and for the past (i.e. is this really, as it seems (among other things), a case of unpreparedness in the face of catastrophic possibility?).
Billmon always does a good job of synthesizing what there is to know and using it to describe macro- and micro- evolutions of the order under observation, he has a good mind for it, I think (though, I think maybe global warming is less pertinent here than he makes it). But still, he's an amateur in the field; an impressively able one, but still, an amateur. So, while this linked article ties the various strands together as best as I've read, I'd still like to read a professional's honest take. Any suggestions?
& that, as usual, the shortsightedness of the government (especially these days) is so staggeringly stupid. You probably know what I mean.
I'd love to read an article by someone who has experience in handling natural disasters--someone who was involved in (the aftermath of) the Indonesian tsunami of last year, for example. Someone who could assess soberly what the prognosis is for New Orleans in the future; and for the present (what is happening to the people we can't see on tv, for example); and for the past (i.e. is this really, as it seems (among other things), a case of unpreparedness in the face of catastrophic possibility?).
Billmon always does a good job of synthesizing what there is to know and using it to describe macro- and micro- evolutions of the order under observation, he has a good mind for it, I think (though, I think maybe global warming is less pertinent here than he makes it). But still, he's an amateur in the field; an impressively able one, but still, an amateur. So, while this linked article ties the various strands together as best as I've read, I'd still like to read a professional's honest take. Any suggestions?
