Here's more on the opportunities that we have to learn from this tragedy {US karma}:

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory

For those of us who know our history, we can recognize that there are times when the system breaks down, and the results are so egregious that it inspires sadness, horror... and a will to change things.

One such episode was the fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in NYC in 1911. It kicked off widespread reforms in working conditions, municipal inspections of building safety... and inspired more widespread acceptance of workers' unions.

The disaster in New Orleans... and the Gulf region in general (because the horror stories that are certain to be uncovered in the hinterlands are yet untold) may provide an opportunity for real change.

This is an historic opportunity to challenge the blind faith in the power of the markets and free enterprise to solve all problems. To challenge the notion that government should be small enough to be drowned in a bathtub. To remind people that there's unfinished business in alleviating crushing poverty... and creating greater economic justice in America.

I love that the title of this diary is "Left Behind"... because I woke up this morning thinking about that: the fact that the theocrats are going to blame the victims.

We need to call out our government's lack of preparedness to evacuate the many, many poor of this region on the fact that any plan that relied on the ability of people to remove themselves who didn't own a car... or did, but couldn't buy a tank of gas on short notice... was no plan at all.

And anyone who tries to weasel out of this administration's obligation to have such a plan is the lowest of the low. Have they no shame at all? At long last, have they no shame?
Left Behind" indeed. But this administration isn't Jesus, and this wasn't the rapture. And being poor isn't a sin.

Those who were left behind didn't choose their fate. They didn't deserve their fate.

And those who have been defunding government by cutting taxes on the rich and have been using the apparatus of the state primarily as a means of enriching their friends... and those apologists who have been enabling them... they all need to face the wrathful indignation of decent people everywhere.

It is our obligation to make sure that generational reform is born from this disaster...
by Malacandra on Fri Sep 2nd, 2005 at 07:06:49 PDT

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/9/2/31040/36581

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For me this comment describes Pluto in Sagittarius.

As some have opined, the USA faced two tragedies-one was a natural disaster called Hurricane Katrina and the other was the human made disaster of the Aftermath of the hurricane.

Sometimes we are forced to face things we'd rather not see. Katrina's aftermath forced this nation and this world to do that. Can we do better than this? I hope so. We have the opportunity to build upon the ruins. But what will we re-build and how will we re-build New Orleans? Will re-building projects benefit the poor or will they provide more wealth for those who are already rich [like Halliburton?]

If the rich get richer and the poor get let behind again imho,
we would not have learned the lesson that we should have from this tragedy.