Looking into the future the Pelican feeding its young from a self-induced wound in its own
breast (as depicted, mysteriously, on the state flag of Louisiana) is accepted as an
appropriate symbol of both self-sacrifice and rebirth. Through his selfless efforts, man is
raised from the slavery of ignorance to the condition of freedom conferred by wisdom.
Given the current state of affairs in Louisiana, one hopes that the understanding of the Pelican
as a symbol shall point the way towards a new consciousness of ourselves as a whole, and lead us
to face our futures with strength, grace, wisdom and faith, to learn from our mistakes and carry
our successes and zest for living to future generations.
Judge Says Katrina Victims Can Sue Army Engineers
New Orleans
February 2, 2007
Reprinted from: Yahoo News(Reuters)
A federal judge in New Orleans on Friday ruled that residents of areas heavily flooded when Hurricane Katrina's floodwaters were funneled down a New Orleans navigation channel can sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
U.S. District Judge Stanwood Duval rejected the Corps' argument that U.S. law protects federal agencies from lawsuits when flood control projects fail.
Duval accepted arguments that the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet was not a flood control project but rather a navigation channel and therefore not exempt from lawsuits.
The Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet, commonly referred to as "Mister Go," is a 50-year-old navigation channel that allows ships to move from the Gulf of Mexico to New Orleans' inner harbor.
Flood waters moving down the MR-GO inundated the city's east side, especially the Lower Ninth Ward, as Hurricane Katrina roared ashore at the end of August 2005.
"Judge Duval's ruling today is a landmark victory for the Katrina victims in New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish," said plaintiffs' attorney Pierce O'Donnell. "The government of the United States has stonewalled us in court for a year and a half."
The canal has been controversial since construction began in the late 1950s.
Critics say it has allowed salt water to eat away cypress swamps and the wave action from passing ships has damaged wetlands adjacent to the canal.
FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Save Our Wetlands Inc.(SOWL) has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is Save Our Wetlands Inc.(SOWL) endorsed or sponsored by the originator. For more information go to:
www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
