things I will try to write about in the next couple of days

[rm]

- Macro impact of Katrina -- this thing is going to have a serious impact on the whole U.S. economy, not just the Gulf region and not just because of oil prices. Among other things, we're talking about a dislocation of people and jobs that has not been seen since the Dust Bowl.

- Journalism, weather reporting, risk-taking and disaster coverage. For those not in the know, I worked at the AP early in my career and I have very strong opinions about this sort of stuff and a lot to say.

- The weather reality -- people, we're at the _beginning_ of the hurricaine season.

Comments

[fleur.livejournal.com]

Mm hm .. a good two more months to go of hurricanes.

I do wonder how many people will actually even come back at all, and how many will settle somewhere else and simply realize they have to start a new life. It's not like things will be back to normal in a month or two if they get the water out. People can't just go back to their houses and pick up; there's nothing to pick up. Jobs are pretty much gone, unless you work for a large corporation like I do, but even then, how long are they going to pay the New Orleans folks if our office is closed?

[rm.livejournal.com]

The insurance industry, already a mess for all sorts of reasons will be ravaged by this.

Meanwhile, school systems in areas where the displaced are heading will be doing more with not enough resources and no new tax dollars coming in from those relocated, etc.

[fleur.livejournal.com]

I generally tend to think of insurance companies as rip off artists and scheisters, but yes, even *they* might run out of money.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Oh they are. And most of it is their own fault -- they've been in well-deserved legal hell this year, but this will make a biiiiiiig mess for them. Especially if this season has another storm of any size, which is likely (although hopefully not for the Gulf).

[fleur.livejournal.com]

I see Bush is viewing the area from the pressurized confines of Air Force One. I think he should get his fighter pilot landing on aircraft carriers ass in a Black Hawk and go get some people for chrissakes.

[orien.livejournal.com]

After all, those are potential voters down there drowning and starving!


Current mood: completely sick.