New Orleans Was a Disaster Waiting to Happen

Tom sent me this phenominal read about the recent history of New Orleans, via Tim Blair, and it's effect on current events in the beleagured city. It is hard to believe that their crime rates have been so high or that they have been so lacking in any kind of leadership.

Author Mac Johnson notes that New Orleans is not even considered one of the most violent cities in the country, but only because it's population doesn't qualify it as a "major city."

Were it not for this actuarial accident, Washington, D.C.. wouldn’t even have a shot at the murder title. The per capita murder rate in New Orleans is 16% higher than in “Murder Capital” Washington, D.C.; and nearly 10 times the national average. To have a murder rate equal to that of New York City, New Orleans would need to reduce its murders by 86%. No, that’s not a typo.

Johnson proceeds to discuss at length the problems with the New Orleans police department, it's inability to patrol the city adequately, and the rates at which good cops leave the city before concluding:

There is no wonder the place went chaotic. There should be no mystery. It is barely under control on a good day.

Johnson puts together a shocking collection of facts that leaves the reader with the impression that New Orleans has been on the edge of chaos for a long time coming. All the hurricance accomplished was to get what little police the city has off the streets.

Still, the hurricane and the problems of rescue and aid are being attributed almost solely to the president, in a critical mass of simple-minded political nonsense that chalks the entire event up to global warming, racism, and the fact that a Republican holds the highest office in the land. Johnson takes note of the most interesting anomoly of our times early in the article:

Nobody has any power in this world other than George Bush. Nobody has any responsibility. George Bush is now the navel of the world for his enemies. If a butterfly flaps its wings in Central Park, it’s George Bush’s fault. And the butterfly is racist. And it was blown there by Global Warming.

The nuanced politics of the left. Everything has a simple answer. Wacism, Wepubwicans, and weather. As Tom would undoubtedly note, the party is fat and ripe for someone, anyone, to roll in with a bit of common sense and a moderate tone, and absolutely take over the party.

Listening to the radio today though, I don't think Cynthia McKinney will be that person.