It's no myth, sadly. The bodies are there, embalmed I'm assuming.
This is not surprising. The us-vs-them mentality rules here. 'Outsiders' are constantly vilified, the thought of a changed
( more white) city is infinitely more horrifying than a destroyed one. The myopic mentality is so bad that now they don't want the 'New Orleans dead' to go anywhere else!!!
If anyone doubts what I say, or wants to know what the local thinking is like, I invite you to go to NOLA.com. Find the local forums and read! The hatred of 'outsiders' is everywhere. Forget that those outsiders have sent $$, and have come to physically clean up the mess. They don't mind 'outsiders' bringing in relief and free food- just keep on moving!
Provincialism/ Carribbean mentality was killing this city long before Katrina. Now it's exposed.
So , believe it- its more important that the dead, and the power, be kept here than it is for common sense and practicality to rule. This is New Orleans- cue the "Twilight Zone" theme...
I guess Nagin feels he will need the votes again next go-round.