N.O., oh, no

Life Imitates Art................................... The apocalyptic situation in New Orleans is as disturbing a scenario as can ever be imagined. So many of the scenes playing out have been anticipated for years. Computer models and common sense predicted just this sort of thing. Not that there was much anybody could. I mean, N.O. has been there forever and over the years painted (or built) itself in to this corner. I don’t understand the long term systemic denial. The lack of an overriding generational like minded thinking that allowed for some sort of progressive, evolutionary moving not just away from the water but to higher ground. As infrastructure was rebuilt and replaced, factor in the inevitability of a direct hit from a strongest possible storm. Which, it should be noted, that as strongest possible storms go, Katrina was a weak one and N.O. was missed but a cat’s whisker by the very worst of the very worst. Only adding to the virtual scope of this catastrophe is the societal nature of N.O. It is a fully realized and functioning urban environment with a full cross section of 21st century America unlike the more residential nature of a lot of coastal regions.

Speaking of societal phenomenon; looting. What the fuck?!?!?? OK, people are hot. People are hungry, people are thirsty. People are scared shitless. Their world looks like a disaster movie, their world feels real. Taking food, water, even OTC medications is really understandable in a world that appears to have come to an end. But when you’re waist deep in slug and it’s only getting deeper and there is no electricity within 50 miles why the fuck do you need a bag full of fucking sneakers or a flat screen?!?? Guess what. You fucking don’t. Looting has to be one of the most repugnant and fascinating of human behavior.