Sunday, August 31, 2008
Paper Floodwalls?
But this is frightening: a contractor for the Army Corps of Engineers filled New Orleans floodwalls with newspaper, in direct violation of the terms of their contract no less, according to an eye witness in this WWLTV report, complete with video:
“It's like putting a Band-Aid on the hole of a gas tank of an airplane,” the resident said.
Instead of an airplane, it's a floodwall, and instead of a Band-Aid, the witness says two years ago, he saw the contractor filling the expansion joint or opening between the floodwalls with newspaper.
“The whole length of the wall was stuffed with newspaper.”
And when he confronted the contractor, the contractor blamed Washington for the substandard work.
“He basically told me when Congress sent down the money, it would be repaired the proper way.”
But during a recent trip to the area, two years later, it was apparent that didn't happen. Much of the newspaper had deteriorated or been eaten by bugs, but some still remained. In fact WWL cameras even captured the date May 21, 2006, on a page of the Parade magazine from the Times-Picayune.
I hope the people on the gulf coast are getting out now, or are already gone. This one looks big, and I doubt anyone in its path feels confident in the U.S. government's ability (or inclination) to make sure they are safe. I sure hope they don't still think the walls will save them.
Via Sadly, No!
Labels: Bush, McCain, politics
