In this editorial from today’s Bee, the call for the President to notice the flood danger in Sacramento is well-placed and probably well-received, as the presidential visit is one in a series of high-level visits to out area in the last few months, prompted probably by what happened in New Orleans and the danger of it happening here.
Too bad it always takes a disaster to start serious disaster planning, but we do keep getting smarter?
Here is an excerpt.
Editorial: Dear Mr. President
Welcome to our floodplain - and reconsider
Published 2:15 am PDT Saturday, April 22, 2006
Word has it, Mr. President, that you will arrive in the Sacramento area today via helicopter to see cars powered by fuel cells. The helicopter is a perfect means of transport for this visit, sir. From it, you can't help but notice all that water out there.
Californians, including Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, have been trying to get your administration's attention. We've been hoping to persuade you to immediately invest in preventive homeland security by improving the levees around Sacramento and other cities rather than waiting for a Katrina-style disaster.
To date we've failed. Even the usually persuasive governor can't seem to get through to you. "I'm shocked at the federal government's lack of action and understanding on this issue," he said the other day.
But seeing is believing.
