I'm writing this from a city that was evacuated and ruined

[Modem Butterfly]

Burned to the ground twice, in fact. 10,000+ residents scattered to the wind. 5,000+ dead.



But we came back. And with a vengeance.



Today, Atlanta is the 9th largest metropolitan area in the US. We have the world's busiest airport, the CDC, Coca-Cola, AND Cartoon Network. We even hosted the world at the 1996 Olympics. Our city motto is "Resurgens" (Latin for beginning again). Our symbol is the phoenix, a creature that is reborn in fire and comes up from the ashes.





We went through some very dark times. But now we're back. And you know what? New Orleans will be back, too. There may not be much of a Mardi Gras this year, but New Orleans will be back. And they'll do it with more success, and more style, than Atlanta. Count on it.

[SoCalDem]

1. Atlanta rose up again, but NO will be different

because when Atlanta was destroyed, the materials that burned and settled intothe soil and water were organic ..The toxic soup that is now New Orleans is a hellish combination of so many carcinogens and pathogens it's hard to comprehend..

[Liberty Belle]

2. I just interviewed an insurance consultant, who said

some properties may be so toxic that nothing can be rebuilt there. They are waiting for floodwaters to recede to find out.

Still, your metaphor of Atlanta rising after the Civil War is inspiring, and I hope you are right.

[AtTheEndOfTheDay]

3. Yeah, New Orleans Land will be great.

Not dirty and poor like the original. Family values friendly too. Dixieland music piped into all the rooms.

[Mutley]

4. You have the Weather Channel, too, I believe.

The same thing happened in Baltimore in 1904 and burned much of downtown to the ground. And we came back, too. I know New Orleans can get past this. I just know it. :hug:

[Cleita]

5. Funny when all the naysayers were saying NO could be rebuilt,

I kept thinking, but they rebuilt Atlanta after it was burned to the ground.