I really love New Orleans and feel a special connection to that city, so it has been terribly sad to see it struggle so hard to recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
According to a
recent NY Times article, the population is at only 62% of pre-hurricane levels (although up almost 13% from a year ago). There are still tremendous numbers of abandoned and gutted houses and other buildings, and the murder rate promises to outpace last year’s record. Most of the residents who are digging in and rebuilding are doing so largely without help from the state and federal governments (most haven’t gotten anything from the “Road Home” program), while billions are being spent abroad to prop up a failed coup in Iraq.
I really miss New Orleans: Christopher and I haven’t been there since the year before Katrina. We’re hoping to go back for a visit sometime next year. I only hope the spirit of the city I knew is still there when we do.
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