New Orleans is Sinking...

How frightening that the Hip's hit song has come true. I cannot believe my eyes and ears when I see and hear what has happened to New Orleans. I can't imagine ever being in a situation like that. And I hope I never am. What has happened to those people in Louisiana and Mississippi I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy.

Many different groups have speculated over the cause of Hurricane Katrina. It was a normal hurricane when it passed through Miami - so what the hell happened as it made its way across the Gulf? Mother Nature getting mad is what happened. The reason why Katrina became the destructive hurricane that she did was due to an increase in ocean temperature. Hurricanes are fed by warm water, so when the water is a couple degrees warmer than usual, bad things are bound to happen.

The pro-life groups believe that abortionists and pro-choicers are being punished for their bad "deeds." Apparently the destruction left in Biloxi and other Mississippi towns looked like a fetus. I am not kidding you - this is what some people believe.

Here is my theory though, which many seem to agree with: the ferocity of the hurricane was fueled by Global Warming. I am not an environmental nut; however there definately have been some warming trends and strange weather patterns over the past few years to open even the most skeptical eyes. And I am not a religious person, but I do believe in Karma - the United States government refuses to take action to deal with pollution. They didn't sign Kyoto, and according to George Bush, early in his first administration: "We are blessed with coal..."

I am certainly not saying that the people of New Orleans deserved what they got by any means, but the US government is the world's super power and they certainly have not set any good examples since George Bush came to power. Maybe they can redeem themselves for the mess in Iraq by taking action at home and becoming more environmentally cautious. Reducing emissions and other pollutants does make a difference and you can see results in your lifetime. Take, for example, BC's aircare program: In it's first 10 years it reduced [vehicle] emissions by 35%.

I digress, however. As a student of history it is hard to see what has happened to New Orleans. I have always wanted to visit the "Big Easy." Go see the French Quarter and the Garden District. I know New Orleans is one of my dad's favourite cities, and he and my mum were planning on visiting it next Spring - it won't be the same place. I doubt it will be ever again.