New Orleans shouldn't be rebuilt at current site

As I watch coverage on the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, a few questions come to mind. For one, whose brilliant idea was it to build a city six to ten feet below sea level in an area that is notorious for yearly hurricanes?

After Camille, an elaborate levee and pump system was put in place, touted by the engineers to be adequate to stop any further damage from other hurricanes. Oops. Mother Nature says no. Don't you think it's time to heed her warnings?

The residents in New Orleans and surrounding areas were repeatedly warned to evacuate days before the hurricane hit. No money, no car? These people had time to find a way to safety, or to walk to higher ground if necessary. Instead, many chose to stay. Hmmm, who is three short of a six-pack here?

What does it say about us as a species to take advantage of a bad situation by getting the plasma TV, a dozen new shoes, guns and assorted items that have nothing to do with survival?

Supposedly we humans possess superior intelligence. We continue to procreate when we can't afford to feed what we already have. We continue to take up residence in areas where Mother Nature pummels us again and again. We continue to kill the trees that give us oxygen to build our houses. We chase off other specials to make room for ourselves. We don't seem able to learn from our past mistakes. Instead we say," Oh poor me, all the rest of you help me out."

If there is a God, he and Mother Nature are sending us a message, over and over. It is a message that transcends time, and it was a message that the dinosaurs were not "intelligent" enough to understand. That message is, "Hey stupid, grow a brain."

It brings to mind some similarities between the hurricane disaster and our own bypass dilemma. Being unprepared for what lies ahead has caused disaster for the Gulf Coast, much like the absence of a bypass can spell disaster for us. What I would say to those Gulf Coast residents is simply, "I'm sorry this happened, but you knew it was coming." What I would say to us, when the growth stresses our streets and infrastructure? "I'm sorry this happened, but you knew it was coming."

LAURIE LONGACRE

Priest River