NOLA levee whistleblower fired

http://www.gregpalast.com/expert-fired-who-warned-levees-would-burst/

In 2006, I met van Heerden in his office at the University's hurricane center; a cubby filled with charts of the city under water. He's a soft-spoken, even-tempered man, given to understatement and academic reserve. But his words were hand grenades: the Bush White House did nothing about the levees, despite warning after warning.

Why? A hurricane is an Act of God. But a levee failure is an Act of Bush - of the federal government. Under the Flood Control Act of 1928, once the levees break, it's Washington's responsibility to save lives -- and to compensate the victims for lost homes and lost loved ones.

By telling me this, the professor had to know he was putting his job on the line. This week marks the fourth anniversary of the drowning of New Orleans.

Shakoor Aljuwani of the Rebuilding Lives Coalition reminds me it is also the fourth year of exile for more than half of the low-income Black residents who once lived in the Crescent City. In the Lower Ninth Ward, 81% have yet to return.

And it marks the end of Dr. van Heerden's career at LSU. They got him. Once the network cameras were turned away from New Orleans, as America and Anderson Cooper shifted attention to Brad and Angelina and other news, the University put an end to Dr. van Heerden. "In 2006 they started the nonsense - they stopped me from teaching. They tried last year to get faculty to vote me out."

I remember his warnings from four years ago - he was 100% correct.

but downgrading/partial funding of the entire Louisiana State University Hurricane Center.

"An Open Letter to LSU Chancellor Mike Martin Re: The van Heerden Affair
http://www.leveesnotwar.org/?p=238

University research institute funding at this level in any state does not simply get whacked like this without first going across the governor's desk -and probably with a nod from the state's senators, either one of whom would likely have had the clout to stop it. Neither Jindal, nor Landrieu, nor Vitter had commented on it as of 04/27/09.

http://www.leveesnotwar.org/?p=237#more-237

I would hope there is a position available for these talented and courageous people, either at the National Hurricane Center, or in D.C. at one of the federal agencies - preferable one with oversight of LSU research funding.

in Spike Lee's 2-part Katrina movie.

Sid