by Tim Gray

Created on: November 08, 2008

New Orleans, Louisiana is a city of vast historical significance, with a heritage unlike any other municipality in the United States. From culinary delights to musical entertainment, New Orleans is refreshingly and uniquely delightful. It really is an American treasure. Unfortunately, it was battered mercilessly by Hurricane Katrina, in August of 2005. The level and intensity of the hurricane's destruction were brutal beyond imagination. Nearly 1,500 lives were lost and the suffering endured by those that survived was heart wrenching. It was an American tragedy of monumental proportions.

Thousands of the city's residents were and, in many cases, remain displaced. Additionally, the costs associated with all rescue and clean up efforts have been staggering. Nonetheless, there are those that are undyingly committed to the restoration and rehabilitation of The Big Easy, as the port city is known. While their sentiments are understandable their loyalty is irrational. New Orleans is a city whose elevation is below sea level. It's amazing a catastrophe the size of Hurricane Katrina didn't happen many, many years ago. Unfortunately, establishing any city along the American Gulf Coast, under circumstances similar to those of New Orleans, is a foolhardy idea. The city stands zero likelihood of not having to withstand another meteorological performance the magnitude of Katrina. It isn't a matter of will history repeat itself, but when will the same weather related events play themselves out again.

When the French demarcated the location of New Orleans in 1718, there wasn't any way for them to understand how ill intended and misguided they were in their thinking. The scientific tools and knowledge available today were completely unknown to the 18th Century explorers, that first arrived at present day New Orleans. We must surmise that had they known of the area's potential for catastrophe, and been prudent in their thinking, the city would not have been located where it stands today.

Hurricanes and the courses they take are, to a marked degree, random and probable events. New Orleans remained out of harm's way for an extremely long period of time. However, there is no guarantee that another hurricane, of proportions similar to Katrina, can't and won't happen again any time soon. Despite all the heart rendering reasons for wanting to reestablish New Orleans as it once was, it is an illogical and very unwise decision. To resurrect it just isn't responsible thinking.

Still, there are those that will return and rebuild what once was a such a very special city. They should understand that they do so at their own risks. They are playing with a loaded pistol. It is indeed sad, but forsaking what was once New Orleans is the sensible thing to do. We don't have to like it, but to refuse to accept it, is to take denial to heights of unparalleled dimensions.

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