Raise your frozen Hurricane up: Katrina’s anniversary

Believe it or not, it's been four years since the ridiculously unnecessary catastrophe in New Orleans (and Mississippi) which began with Hurricane Katrina slamming into the Gulf Coast. When a storm turns into an EPIC government FAIL recorded live for the world to see, it is worthy of a re-visit and an official anniversary. This little blog cannot begin to express the breadth of issues past and present in the Big Easy. So I'll allow others to do it for me.

If you never got the chance, check out the documentary from Spike Lee (get your Kleenex ready): When the Levees Broke - A Requiem In Four Acts. Spike has his video content on lock but here's a preview video clip:

On the NPR show Tell Me More they have followed the recovery of one New Orleans resident, Gralen Banks; in his quest for normalcy as he attempts to reclaim the life he once knew. Four years after the storm, Banks tells why he is still unable to move back into his home, his optimism for the Crescent City's vibrant return, and reflects on a favorite pair of shoes washed away in the 2005 devastation. Audio Clip embedded:

Plenty of help still needed for recovery. Here are some links if you've got it to give or just want some information:

The Rockfeller Foundation- Rebuilding New Orleans Initiative

Greater New Orleans Foundation

Red Cross- SouthEast Louisiana Chapter

Also, not endorsing but this guy has interesting things to say: James Perry, running for N.O. Mayor in 2010

So as we go about our lives this weekend, take a moment to raise a frosty Pat O'Brien Hurricane for my crawfish-boiling neighbors to the east.