Reply #47: An even better leader would never have reduced the levee work

[karynnj]

to save money for tax cuts. An improved levee system would not have avoided a large amount of damage, but it could have prevented the utter destruction that has taken place and it was predictable. My daughter in HS Freshman Earth Science had to read a book that explained how we attempted to control nature by re-routing the Mississippi and dynamically raising and lowering water levels to keep things in balance. It was clear that nature at some point would not be controlled - and it was very important to constantly work to provide a path of least resistance in non-built up areas.

The kids in the class, who found the book tediously written, all ended up understanding enough to know that the prevention work was critical. My daughter actually was explaining to some adults how N.O. was basically below sea water and that there had to be a balance between the fresh water going out to sea and the salt water that could come in from the gulf. If 14-15 year olds could understand the problem, if they cared the administration could too. It was a risk they were willing to take. Again, they were playing with lives.