New Orleans Today: It's Worse Than You Think

On Sunday, I posted about the new Time cover story about New Orleans:
"New Orleans Today: It's Worse Than You Think-
Neighborhoods are still dark, garbage piles up on the street, and bodies are still being found. The city's pain is a nation's shame"

A little over two months after the President's speech in Jackson Square, there are lots of new articles popping up about the progress (or lack thereof) in New Orleans. As people return to their neighborhoods, bodies are being found. And from what I have read, much of what is being done is on the local level- ie; friends and neighbors helping each other out, cleaning out homes, and local merchants trying to start over. But most have given up hope that the administration will follow through on its promise to rebuild. That Gulf Opportunity Zone the President promised that day ("one of the largest reconstruction efforts the world has ever seen") doesn't appear to be coming. Two months ago, it seemed rebuilding the Gulf Coast would be the top task for the remainder of his term. But with people being indicted left and right and the debate over the war heating up, it seems he has other priorities. The ever-fickle news cycle, which so poignantly spoke for the suffering in September, has moved on. No one expects New Orleans to be rebuilt overnight. The place is practically a war zone; it'll take a decade to rebuild (not to mention great cooperation between federal and local agencies). But the promises made have already been broken and the lessons of the tragedy have already been unlearned. That's another tragedy in itself.

Here are some links:
-Louisiana Sees Faded Urgency in Relief Effort

-Don't Give In to Katrina Fatigue:
There are still millions of Gulf Coast Americans who need our help

-6,644 are still missing after Katrina; toll may rise

-Po' boys and gumbo help revive New Orleans

-Hurricane Katrina's Aftermath - Late Summer/Fall, 2005