New Orleans Aftermath

David Brooks has nailed the fact that the New Orleans tradgedy comes at the end of a string of confidence eroding events. At this early date in the 21st Century the future looks bleak indeed for America's sense of its own wellbeing. The big question is, can our complex federalist political structure, with its complex interrelationships among Federal, State, County and Local governments really operate effectively in a confusing and dangerous world? I don't know any longer and I have no faith that we are a people who can arrive at a consensus about how to fix ourselves.

Let's watch how we decide to rebuild New Orleans. Do we take the easy route and simply restore the city as it was, sinking half an inch a year and facing accelerated deterioration of the protective Mississippi Delta. (Thanks to WRETCHARD at The Belmont Club, here and here.) Or do we come to a truly courageous combination of restoration, radical redesign and protective enhancements that will allow the Big Easy to live into the forseeable future. We'll see.