Informed Speculation

It does not imply lack of concern to ask whether New Orleans really needs to be rebuilt, contra some leftwing commentators. Indeed, the argument could be made that those who recommend putting a half-million people back into a deadly flood-plain are the uncaring ones. Either argument isn’t fair, though, and we need to quite taking political shots and figure this thing out. Everyone cares about the people of New Orleans, that is not the issue.

The issue is what is to be done now. At Buzz Machine, Jeff Jarvis has this to say:

I’m not suggesting that what’s left of New Orleans should be bulldozed and abandoned. But I will suggest that, indeed, the city may need to be reinvented. How?

Perhaps it should go with its strengths and be rebuilt as a tourist destination before all its restaurants have branches in Vegas. Perhaps it should be smaller and rather than investing in rebuilding, the money should in some cases be spent on relocation.

What should become of New Orleans?

Lots of comments, some excellent, some ridiculous…it’s a question we’ll be hearing more and more over the next few weeks. I suspect New Orleans will be rebuilt…but I also expect at least a quarter of its population will relocate elsewhere.