Ray Nagin's Good Point

It was nearly one year ago that the world was formally introduced to the mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin. We all had just found out that his city would be greatly affected by Hurricane Katrina. We were all wondering why this guy hadn't ordered a mandatory evacuation. We thought he was stupid. And our feelings didn't change for a very long time. But then we got over it and moved on. We realized that there were bigger idiots in the world and they were causing more trouble than poor Ray in his flooded city.
Because of all this, anytime this man opens his mouth, he is surrounded by press waiting for something stupid to come out. And since that day one year ago, many stupid things have come out. I believe there was something not too long ago about New Orleans being a "chocolate city." Is he freaking Willy Wonka or something? I don't think you want to go there Ray.
Since he this very untactful man does get so much attention, it is no surprise to me when something makes the news. This morning was not exception. In an interview with 60 Minutes last night, poor Ray put his flooded New Orleans shoe right into his mouth again. In a very defensive tone, Nagin told the reporter, "You guys in New York can't get a hole in the ground fixed, and it's five years later. So let's be fair." Whoops right? I don't think so actually. I think he made a good point badly.
Hurricane Katrina's devastating affects on New Orleans were only one year ago. Much progress has been made since then to clean up and start rebuilding. But when 80% of a major city is heavily flooded, it might take awhile. Nagin makes the point that the city of New York has made very little to no progress on rebuilding at Ground Zero. And he is right. It has been five years, what's the deal?
The other sites damaged on 9-11 have long since been cleaned up and rebuilt. The Pentagon is not missing a wall and I'm sure that field in Pennsylvania is just fine now. But the city of New York still has an entire building complex missing. Why? Five years is enough time to plan and at least do some ground-breaking and actual construction on a new World Trade Center. What is the hold-up?
So even though he sounded like a jackass when he said it, Ray Nagin did have a good point with his comment. He's trying to rebuild a city. He is making progress. But it has only been a year. New York, it's been five years. I think it is time to do something with the hole.