Louisiana Corruption

In a previous post I opined how corruption may have magnified the devastation due to Hurricane Katrina. Note this LA Times report.

Hate Speech – Whatever Those in Power Say It Is

Why am I against hate crime legislation? Look what has happened in Alberta (HT Small Dead Animals.) I suspect Alberta is one of the more conservative places in Canada and yet a minister can’t voice an opinion to a paper’s editor on homosexuality with out being hauled before a tribunal (and he may lose?) Guess I would be bankrupt and making small rocks out of big rocks if I was a Canadian.

Almost One Year

Almost a year ago I began publishing this blog. I estimate readership over the year may have reached into the teens. That would be my daughter and 10 folks who mistyped the URL.

My first blog was about fishing and coming up short at the Weber River. Well today I went to my favorite spot again (Devil's Slide) but it was high and murky. Unlike last year, I drove on to a smaller stream. I caught five small browns (four eight inchers and one 12 inches - it was a small stream). Its nice to know I've learned a few things over the year.

Fruits of Corruption

America is stunned at the lawlessness occurring in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Nicole Gelinas (HT Powerline).points out that the storm didn’t cause people to become criminals, the criminal element was already in place (I’m not speaking of those foraging for food, water, and other necessities).

Poverty will be cited as a major factor in the severity of the destruction and death that has occurred. Indeed, the pattern seems to be poor areas are affected worse than rich ones. With New Orleans and the Gulf States being some of the poorest in America, one would see this thesis supported.

But is being poor the cause to be cured or is it really a symptom of the larger problem of corruption? Certainly rescue efforts were hampered because of violence or the threat of violence. How about official corruption? I am reminded of places in Turkey, Armenia, and Iran where buildings collapse more frequently in earthquakes than other places. Reports come out that contractors and complicit building inspectors allow the use of lower grade concrete. Is corruption a factor in the unprepared ness of New Orleans, including a significant cause of poverty found in the area?