Thursday, May 22, 2008
A question from an ignorant layman
If any little tree root within fifteen feet of a levee, or on the levee's berm, can cause a levee breach, why should we believe an ACoE spokesman who says:
I understand that ignorant laymen whose common sense tells them that the earth is flat, can be a pain in the ass. But it's not just pain in the ass layman who are worried about the "little wet spot." Even if it was Joe from New Orleans instead of Bob Bea asking the questions, dismissing legitimate concerns is no way to reassure people. In case the ACoE spokesman didn't notice, you only heighten concerns when you answer legitimate questions in such a dismissive manner. I am not trying to be alarmist, but I'd love to know why we shouldn't be concerned about signs of seepage.
"I personally do not at all believe that this little wet spot is anything that is going to cause a breach or a failure of any kind," he said. A newly installed floodgate could be used to cut off the flow of water into the canal and reduce pressure on the levee, he said.
I understand that ignorant laymen whose common sense tells them that the earth is flat, can be a pain in the ass. But it's not just pain in the ass layman who are worried about the "little wet spot." Even if it was Joe from New Orleans instead of Bob Bea asking the questions, dismissing legitimate concerns is no way to reassure people. In case the ACoE spokesman didn't notice, you only heighten concerns when you answer legitimate questions in such a dismissive manner. I am not trying to be alarmist, but I'd love to know why we shouldn't be concerned about signs of seepage.
Labels: Army Corps of Engineers, levees
