"The dispossesed of New Orleans deserve to have their lives returned to them as completely as possible"

no doubt they do....I guess the citizens of Pompeii, those few who survived, also should have been allowed to return and rebuild.

No matter what "should have been done", we must start with where we are now, and there is MUCH doubt that the city of New Orleans can be returned to its former configuration. Even if the multi-billions of dollars necessary to make it safe against similar storms and floods were made available, the process would take years and would be subject to more damage while that doubtful process was proceeding.

   It is simple...New Orleans is the only major US city which is below sea level! This is not a good situation. Nature may give them 100 years...or it may do it again next year. It is just plain foolish to tempt fate under the current conditions.

Yeah, the people SHOULD be helped to re-build their lives....but maybe in a bit safer environment.

Lets see in 6-8 months if more people, including the experts, aren't saying the same thing.