NationStates Jolt Archive

Just a thought I had while watching a T.V. sitcom.

New York has been changed for it no longer bears the World Trade Center towers, and will instead bear a new tower 1,776 feet tall. No longer does it feel safe from forgein attacks or distant from terrorist attacks. This was just 4 years ago.

Now, New Orleans has been changed, perhaps forever, for the city is 80% flooded in water, city residents are forced to relocate elsewhere, and the entire city itself will take months if not years to be half of what it used to be.

Is it just me or are major faces of the U.S. changing at a pretty quick pace? Two major cities bear different faces from the year 1999. Are we going to have to deal with another problem like the above two in the near future? Will this change our country in unpredictable ways?

Or is it all not going to do much and isn't that big a problem?

Just a thought I had while watching a T.V. sitcom.

New York has been changed for it no longer bears the World Trade Center towers, and will instead bear a new tower 1,776 feet tall. No longer does it feel safe from forgein attacks or distant from terrorist attacks. This was just 4 years ago.

Now, New Orleans has been changed, perhaps forever, for the city is 80% flooded in water, city residents are forced to relocate elsewhere, and the entire city itself will take months if not years to be half of what it used to be.

Is it just me or are major faces of the U.S. changing at a pretty quick pace? Two major cities bear different faces from the year 1999. Are we going to have to deal with another problem like the above two in the near future? Will this change our country in unpredictable ways?

Or is it all not going to do much and isn't that big a problem?


I think you are talking about 2 different things here. Are bad things happening in the US --> Yes.

Is the US changing --> Yes

We no longer live in cities, instead we have wicked suburban sprawl that wouldn't be tolerated in other countries because it is so wasteful. We despoil the environment even though we don't have to and can avoid it. We don't talk to our neighbors unless there is a problem or someone is pissed off about something.

Has the face of America changed --> Yes, and it's uglier than ever. But Katrina nad 9.11 have nothing to do with it...it's been happening for much longer.

All countries change. Consider that 100 years ago suburbs didn't exist, we didn't have a welfare state and us Brits and the French still ruled empires! And in my opinion, 100 years isn't such a long time.

As for New Orleans, why can't it be rebuilt over the top of the destroyed city? I vaugely remember someone saying that they did that in Seattle. Might help put it above sea level. Or perhaps not. Bah! I'm blabbing!