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If you were wiped out by Katrina, would you rebuild in the same area?

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yvr girl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-03-05 10:30 AM
Original message
If you were wiped out by Katrina, would you rebuild in the same area?
I can understand attachment to your home and city. I love Vancouver and I wouldn't want to leave here.

It just seems to me that there is little left for the displaced persons of New Orleans and surrounding area. They don't have homes or jobs - and won't for some time to come.

I think I would just pick a new city and get a fresh start.

Is there a program set up for people who want a fresh start in a new area? Some money to move, and enough to cover a few months expenses would go a long way to help people begin again. They also need help finding jobs. Is this happening?
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Child_Of_Isis Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-03-05 10:35 AM
Response to Original message
1. I wouldn't rebuild.
The weather is just going to get crazier.
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jimshoes Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-03-05 10:37 AM
Response to Original message
2. I don't think it will be that easy in
republican controlled USA. They hate social programs and this one will break what's left of the bank. In bushworld you're on your own. I don't think we've seen the worst of things yet.
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Silverhair Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-03-05 10:38 AM
Response to Original message
3. I don't think most will try to rebuild. I wouldn't.
Their jobs are gone and ALL their property is gone. It will be months before they can return home to a destroyed home and no job. During that time many will have found local jobs and will have started over.

Why go back to that fear? I would live in terror every hurricane season if I went back.
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Mutley Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-03-05 10:40 AM
Response to Original message
4. Probably not.
Even if I had the means and the money to do so I would just be reminded of all the death and destruction everywhere i looked. I don't think I could deal with that.
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MADem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-03-05 10:57 AM
Response to Original message
5. If I had the money, and most there do not
I would build one of those hurricane houses made of concrete that are on very high pillars and shaped like an egg, with steel shutters that can be locked down in a storm. I'd do the whole state-of-the-art routine, and make the thing as self-sustaining as possible.

I don't like giving up or giving in, though. However, I can understand completely why people aren't of a mind to be that stubborn....you have to go where the jobs are, especially when you have mouths to feed...if enough of those folks stay in TX, maybe they could turn that red state blue!!!
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Gormy Cuss Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-03-05 11:51 AM
Response to Original message
6. Why people want to go back
Some of these families have lived in the same area for a hundred years or more. That feeling of attachment to the place of your ancestors is why many people want to go back and rebuild after disaster. It is terribly disorienting to give up on everything you know, not the physical places but the community too. If there's a way to go back, many will.

I predict there will be new New Orleans springing up around the country -- large clusters of former NOLA residents who move to the same area and try to reestablish some of the community that was lost. It's the pattern we see in our time with foreign refugees when they settle in the U.S. or Canada. In earlier times, the midwest and western U.S. saw mass migrations from eastern towns to form new communities that were comprised of friends and family from home. It seems to be a natural instinct.

The sort of relocation support programs will come into play for the poorest residents. If our government starts paying attention such relocation assistance will be offered to all who need it. Nonprofits and church groups will certainly try to help for the displaced. Is it happening yet? Only on the grass roots level, Right now getting people in safe shelter is the only focus.


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Spazito Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-03-05 11:55 AM
Response to Original message
7. Yes, I would but only after I was assured that:
the government, at all levels had a workable plan for disasters; that the monies had been allocated to better secure the city; and I could build a house that could better withstand something like this if possible.

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Swamp Rat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-03-05 11:58 AM
Response to Original message
8. If y'all don't help us rebuild New Orleans, the Soul of America will die.
And I will leave this country FOREVER! :mad: ... e não vou falar ingles nunca mais! :grr:
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geomon666 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-03-05 12:04 PM
Response to Original message
9. NO is about to get a face lift
Brand spanking new condos will be built over the rubble of the former. Priced just out of reach of the locals current income level. Imminent Domain will be the reason to swipe whole new areas not even that bad off from the storm.
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Swamp Rat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-03-05 12:40 PM
Response to Reply #9
10. That will ruin that character of the city...
...it won't be new Orleans anymore. It will be a Halliburton product. :(
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