One major way that Iowa and other Upper Midwest states could really help Katrina victims would be to say something like this to Congress and the White House:  "You can stop spending money on the Mississippi River lock upgrade project, which is highly dubious at best, both economically and environmentally.  Instead, use that huge amount of money to restore the barrier islands and wetlands around New Orleans, and to sustainably rebuild and protect the city and its infrastructure.  We in the Upper Midwest understand that federal money is limited, and we recognize that the Upper Mississippi navigation project is totally expendable compared to the current needs of New Orleans."

Just a thought.

Cindy

Cindy Hildebrand
[log in to unmask]
Ames, IA  50010

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