OMG---Dennis Hastert on NOLA.com---Don't rebuild NO

[NewWaveChick1981]

This was on NOLA.com, the New Orleans Times-Picayune website. That's right, Dennis---tell the folks in New Orleans that they're not worth the time, money, or effort to rebuild. Talk about kicking people when they're down---in their own city. :mad:

http://www.nola.com/newslogs/breakingtp/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_Times-Picayune/archives/2005_09.html#075864

House Speaker: Rebuilding N.O. doesn't make sense
Thursday, 2:55 p.m.

By Bill Walsh
Washington bureau

WASHINGTON - House Speaker Dennis Hastert dropped a bombshell on flood-ravaged New Orleans on Thursday by suggesting that it isn’t sensible to rebuild the city.

"It doesn't make sense to me," Hastert told the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago in editions published today. "And it's a question that certainly we should ask."

Hastert's comments came as Congress cut short its summer recess and raced back to Washington to take up an emergency aid package expected to be $10 billion or more. Details of the legislation are still emerging, but it is expected to target critical items such as buses to evacuate the city, reinforcing existing flood protection and providing food and shelter for a growing population of refugees.

The Illinois Republican’s comments drew an immediate rebuke from Louisiana officials.

“That’s like saying we should shut down Los Angeles because it’s built in an earthquake zone,” former Sen. John Breaux, D-La., said. “Or like saying that after the Great Chicago fire of 1871, the U.S. government should have just abandoned the city.”

Hastert said that he supports an emergency bailout, but raised questions about a long-term rebuilding effort. As the most powerful voice in the Republican-controlled House, Hastert is in a position to block any legislation that he opposes.

"We help replace, we help relieve disaster," Hastert said. "But I think federal insurance and everything that goes along with it... we ought to take a second look at that."

The speaker’s comments were in stark contrast to those delivered by President Bush during an appearance this morning on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

“I want the people of New Orleans to know that after rescuing them and stabilizing the situation, there will be plans in place to help this great city get back on its feet,” Bush said. “There is no doubt in my mind that New Orleans is going to rise up again as a great city.”

Insurance industry executives estimated that claims from the storm could range up to $19 billion. Rebuilding the city, which is more than 80 percent submerged, could cost tens of billions of dollars more, experts projected.

Hastert questioned the wisdom of rebuilding a city below sea level that will continue to be in the path of powerful hurricanes.

"You know we build Los Angeles and San Francisco on top of earthquake issures and they rebuild, too. Stubbornness," he said.

Hastert wasn't the only one questioning the rebuilding of New Orleans. The Waterbury, Conn., Republican-American newspaper wrote an editorial Wednesday entitled, "Is New Orleans worth reclaiming?"

"Americans' hearts go out to the people in Katrina's path," it said. "But if the people of New Orleans and other low-lying areas insist on living in harm's way, they ought to accept responsibility for what happens to them and their property."

[whistle]

1. Did Hastert say that from the House Chamber floor? What a jerk...

[NewWaveChick1981]

5. Don't know, but...

...it's a terrible thing to say right now. Whether or not NO should be rebuilt is a matter for AFTER people have been rescued.

[illflem]

2. Hate to say it but I agree

NO is in the wrong place. It will happen again if rebuilt.
Let the Mississippi River have it back.

[Inland]

4. I am skeptical about rebuilding at least, but I would have saved it

for couple of weeks. A lot of people don't need to hear this right now.

[Stuckinthebush]

6. Agree as well...

but it was a stupid thing to say right now. Denny has no tact.

But we do need to think long and hard about rebuilding a city that is under sea level. No engineer would recommend doing such today.

[Inland]

3. You know, I would have given it a week or two.

No sense breaking people's hearts today.

[teryang]

7. This won't fly with the rich

They overwhelmingly occupy the choicest waterfront real estate throughout the nation and invariably expect the government to foot the bill for flood and storm damage to their luxury second homes.

Wait a minute. The have mores always get government subsidies and handouts, it's call politics as usual. When the public at large needs a hand, forget it, it costs too much. Lets get the former presidents to call for charity.

[lolly]

8. Did NO vote Democratic?

If LA or SF were hit by the Big One during this administration, they would be saying the same thing.

Even after 9/11--they all gushed over the firefighters and police officers (no problem there) but essentially ignored the actual New Yorkers who were affected.

[sarcasmo]

9. Maybe this is why it's taking them so long to HELP.