When I think of problems with BlackWater, National Guard peacekeepers, infrastructure, money mismanagement, corporate overcharging and unchecked violence, I generally think of Iraq.
It is ironic that this crusade in Iraq has loosened the purse strings to allow billions of dollars and thousands of U.S. military personnel to flow into a desert without any discernible benefit to the average American. If we really are concerned with establishing a quality of life based on democracy and freedom from oppression and violence, then our primary focus need not be one that is thousands of miles away - let us start in the Gulf Coast where millions of Americans deal with these very same problems every day.
To date, the U.S. government has directed $116 billion to hurricane Katrina relief. The government spent around two-thirds of the federal money on immediate needs, like debris removal, Coast Guard rescue and those debit cards. Maybe this is all just part of the Bush Legacy"" I have been hearing so much about lately - spending an estimated $1.2 trillion in Iraq by war's end while U.S. citizens live without any significant aid to rebuild a devastated American city.
The ramifications of the under-funding are manifold, but perhaps the most troubling outcome of the lack of infrastructure and the absence of a widespread sustainable economy has been the crime. There were 162 reported and investigated murders in the city of New Orleans in 2006. The police in New Orleans were able to make arrests in a third of the cases. Of those cases, the police and prosecutors were able to make a strong enough case for one conviction; at least 161 people literally got away with murder.
As if that is not enough, studies estimate that authorities released at least 3,000 suspects (accused of a myriad of offenses, from drug dealing to murder) because the overworked and understaffed district attorney's office was unable to bring charges in a timely fashion. This has only perpetuated the problems.
At this point, it is nearly impossible to find a witness to testify in any sort of criminal trial in New Orleans. Residents who witness a crime are well aware that the authorities release the vast majority of criminals without charges. Most citizens are not willing to testify against a murderer who they fear will be free to exact revenge on witnesses and/or their family members without repercussions from a struggling police force and justice system.
With all of these problems, New Orleans remains a proud city. Despite super-local government apathy, the people are rebuilding Lakeview, New Orleans East and St. Bernard Parish. Residents are preserving the vibrant and eclectic culture that has made New Orleans a hub for music, hospitality and cuisine for decades. Anarchy and lawlessness are not as pervasive as some sensationalists would have you believe, but things are no cakewalk either.
New Orleans is simultaneously attempting to rebuild its infrastructure and maintain its identity in the wake of the greatest natural disaster in American history. Let us not look at New Orleans with fear and misunderstanding, but rather realize that these circumstances are in part due to - and perpetuated by - the lack of available funding for the rebuilding process. I hope I am not the only one asking when we are going to start signing those checks for the Iraq War over to New Orleans and the people of the Gulf Coast.
Matt Jividen is a senior majoring in history. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
