Originally Posted By: Phaedrus
New Orleans should probably be abandoned. Yes, it's a wonderful city. Yes, it has fascinating history. And yes, French engineers warned that the site was unsuitable for a city before it was even built. They were correct then and it's far worse now.


I'm not as well-versed in New Orleans flood protection as I might be. Here's my take: If the existing situation is supportable by property owners shouldering the full risk of flood (either by assuming the risk themselves, mitigating the risk, or re-assigning the risk by buying insurance out of their own pockets) rock on.

I'd be comfortable with New Orleans having tax-supported flood mitigation, as long as the people of New Orleans pay the bill through a democratic process.