August 29, 2005 11AM
1800 dead
90,000 square miles impacted
270,000 displaced...permanently.
In 100 years we may see this event as a lesson learned about what we are capable of doing to ourselves as a nation.
We will look at our own local communities with a new sense of responsibility and prevent them from deteriorating (corruption, greed, neglect, ignorance) to a point where they are a danger to us as citizens.
We will have employed existing technologies (from Europe) to protect the few really critical parts of our country's coastlines from the rising ocean levels.
And, we'll have a new appreciation for the uniqueness of the cultures in all the corners of our country and the importance each holds for the rest of us. We'll support rebuilding as an important investment in our diversity as a country that truly makes us a great nation.
Or not.
We might simply refer to this and other events with embarrassment as the point when our culture lost its will to be great. The beginning of the end. Perhaps when the next disasters strike we'll simply not respond at all and talk about the importance of triage...at least as long as we are on the right side of that line.
Despite the media efforts to dramatize the negatives, the efforts of the typical citizen in New Orleans today and the folks from around the world, especially the young people who give up their time, talents and money to participate in the rebuilding, constitute one of the most positive stories we have as a nation.
All these individuals will make great employees. The area needs to add to its priorities an employee brand makeover.
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