After Katrina

Now that the fabled New Orleans levees have catastrophically broken, now that the first helicopter photographs of the city8217;s flooded streets have been broadcast, it has become clear that the damage wrought by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans compares to any of the worst natural disasters in American history8230;

As in New York after Sept. 11, 2001, New Orleans, along with the rest of the country, is also grappling with the varied aspects of human nature that come out in the wake of a great tragedy. On the one hand, the heroism of the Coast Guard workers who are still pulling people off the roofs of their homes by helicopter is remarkable. The dedication of the rescue crew members who have arrived from around the country is incredible. The gestures of politicians such as Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who has offered the use of the Houston Astrodome for refugees and Texas public schools for New Orleans children, are admirable. On the other hand, the scenes of looting 8212; not just of food, which is forgivable, but of television sets and clothing 8212; show that some people are always prepared to take advantage of the misfortune of others. A lot of attention is paid, nowadays, to the phrase 8220;moral values.8221; Over the next few days, New Orleanians may learn a good deal about what those words really mean to their fellow citizens8230;

This administration has consistently played down the possibility of environmental disaster, in Louisiana and everywhere else. The president8217;s most recent budgets have actually proposed reducing funding for flood prevention in the New Orleans area, and the administration has long ignored Louisiana politicians8217; requests for more help in protecting their fragile coast, the destruction of which meant there was little to slow down the hurricane before it hit the city. It is inappropriate to 8220;blame8221; anyone for a natural disaster. But given how frequently the impact of this one was predicted, and given the scale of the economic and human catastrophe that has resulted, it is certainly fair to ask questions about disaster preparations.

Excerpted from an editorial in 8216;The Washington Post8217;, September 1