Is this true? Is this what it's like in New Orleans these days?

"I just returned from New Orleans and let me tell you it's horrid. There are Airborne Military Police patrolling the streets near the Business District and French Quarters. New Orleans East is the jurisdiction of the US Military and one can see them in their fatigues and Beretta 92FS pistols directing traffic. There are also private security firms patrolling the nice neighborhoods.

There are so many Central Americans (maybe they are Mexican, maybe not) that I often stared in disbelief. The N.O.P.D. were as dispassionate as I ever recalled them to be.

Homeowner's insurance is about $4,000 per annum if you've not had that home for over four years. I'm not sure what is covered.

I spoke with numerous persons in the Business District and many were "concerned" about the conditions of the city. Many wished to leave, but "couldn't" due to "cultural ties" and many due to "financial reasons".

The restaurants were not full and speaking with the wait staff to get some idea how things were going and informing them that I was contemplating coming back to South Louisiana all of them looked at me quizzically. I was welcomed by all, but most stated that they would not consider it if they were in my shoes and had a choice.

Looking at the place with an geostrategic mindset it's now obvious that the layout of the city - which lies between the meandering Mississippi and Lake Pontchartrain and to a lesser extent Lake Maurepas - is such that one cannot evacuate quickly. And I was much more aware of the presence of the Gulf of Mexico. Odd that, because I lived in South LA for over 25 years and I never thought of the place in that manner; even when I visited the last two Christmas holidays.

I must admit that when striking up conversation with the business persons on the street they all gave off a vibration that stated, "I'm very tired". I could sense it and when speaking with them I could see it in their eyes.

New Orleans, LA is probably the first "New World Order" City in the USA - predatory "capitalism" on the heels of disaster. I guess one could call it "disaster 'capitalism'", I suppose.

New Orleans should have been a wakeup call to all Americans; certainly many of you who frequent this board are more aware than many. I envision MANY more New Orleans events in MANY US cities.

It was depressing. My home is no more; or no longer as I would like to recall it.

It will never be the same."

http://www.itszone.co.uk/zone0/viewtopic.php?t=79509

The cheap labor brought in by Halliburton and stranded?

there are storm followers (illegal immigrants from mexico and guatemala) who make a living providing labor after serious storms

we have a labor shortage here, no doubts about it

believe you me i would not be here if i had an alternative

plus the crime is sky high on top of everything else

Whatever it is I'm so sorry you are having to remain in a place that feels unsafe and not like your home any more.

It seems that so much of what is being created now, is just that, fear is intentionally being promoted by those who pay for chaos to continue and who in turn, stand to profit from the chaos, destruction and more importantly, the rebuilding.