[onewhippedpuppy]

Interesting perspective on the issue:

My neighbor is a retired civil engineer, who spent his career specializing in wastewater treatment and freshwater systems. He has spent the last few months in NO, working on getting the pumping stations back in operation. According to him, what is shown on the news is nothing.

His exact words: "Everyone down there is looking for a handout. They want new, now, and they don't want to pay for it." He told me that at first he wondered why all of the city workers carried large Maglite flashlights with them everywhere. He quickly realized it was to ward off citizens that threatened them, and claimed that he's never wanted so badly to carry a gun for protection. "It's amazing, there's houses with junk from the water everywhere in their yards. And big strong men sitting on the porch, yelling at you to come clean up their lot."

To put it in perspective, he's one of the most peaceful guys I have ever met. He and his wife just helped to found a new church here in town, and absolutely live for their family and grandkids. He does not want to go back, but doesn't want to leave the job unfinished.