Rebuilding New Orleans....The debate begins

I have made it no secret that I don't think New Orleans should be rebuilt and in fact the entire Gulf Coast needs to be evaluated. Well I'm glad to see that at least a Debate is starting. Over at the Washington Post, The Debate takes on the issue Rethinking Reconstruction As the Levees Give Way. Emily Messner references several articles from the MSM that ask the question and suggest some answers. I agree with some and don't agree with others but I'm pleased that it is a least being discussed. Spending billions of dollars we don't have to rebuild a city that will only be destroyed again next year, the year after or in ten years is foolish. As Emily says:

This is not a good sign. Several hours before Rita's landfall -- and without even the threat of a direct hit on New Orleans -- the hurricane's winds alone pushed so much water toward New Orleans that by noon on Friday, one patched levee had already come unpatched and a dozen or more blocks had re-flooded.

This is disturbing for countless reasons, not least of which the fact that the toxic water pumped out of the city is flowing right back in. But more pertinent to our current discussion is that if the city experiences more massive flooding, that will pile on the cost of cleanup and rebuilding.

Once again, this raises the question: Are we absolutely positive we want to rebuild New Orleans? (And is everyone involved clear on exactly how that rebuilding should be done?)

I vote NO, but check out the above link for other thoughts and ideas.