[Moose4]

I don't think it's a Southern thing as much as it is a big-city thing. New Orleans has always had a high violent crime rate, a corrupt and largely ineffective police department and government, and grinding poverty. Put the three together, mix in a Category 4 hurricane and some abysmal planning by local and state leaders, and you get this.

Not to pick on Detroit, but do you really think it'd be that much different if some sort of similar disaster could hit Detroit? Or, say, Philadelphia or Baltimore? Or St. Louis?

}:-)4

[TonyInOhio]

I don't think it's a Southern thing as much as it is a big-city thing. New Orleans has always had a high violent crime rate, a corrupt and largely ineffective police department and government, and grinding poverty. Put the three together, mix in a Category 4 hurricane and some abysmal planning by local and state leaders, and you get this.

Absolutely the best summary of what happened in this heartbreaking week, Moose.

[madison10]

Not to pick on Detroit, but do you really think it'd be that much different if some sort of similar disaster could hit Detroit?

It'd be worse in Detroit if there were actually people living there. (kidding) The mayor of Detroit is high-ranking crook.

[CedarDave]

Back in 1957, the Arkansas National Guard was federalized by Ike to support integrating the public school. Bush may need to due the same to restore law and order in New Orleans if the governor doesn't have the courage to have them take charge and respond to looters with force, including gunfire.