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.

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Letter to Dr. Gregory Stone, SOWL Disputes Senator James Inhofe Statements

November 3, 2005
Dear Drs. Stone and Roberts,

I request your special attention to the excellent research done by M. Freeman of progressive reform below in regard to the Corps-in particular to the SOWL litigation regarding the Corps' Chef Menteur Rigolets Barriers. See: CPR’s McGarity Raps Ex-Corps of Engineers Officials’ Effort to Blame Environmentalists for Katrina Damage and Broken Levees, Why They Failed

Since U.S. Senator James Inhofe has invoked the names of Dr. Gregory Stone and the director of Louisiana State University Coastal Studies Institute as defending the disgraced Corps' Barrier Plan...

U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works Hearing Statements:

Date: 10/06/2005

Statement of Senator James M. Inhofe:

Those outside the Corps came to similar conclusions: Gregory Stone, Professor and Director of the Coastal Studies Institute of Louisiana State Universisty The abandoned plan “would have likely reduced storm surge coming from the Gulf and into Lake Ponchartrain. These floodgates would have alleviated the flooding of New Orleans caused by Hurricane Katrina.” While there is nothing we can do about the past, we can learn from our mistakes. We need to make sure that these extremist environmental groups do not delay or prevent the most effective flood protection system from being built. It is my intention to work with Senator Vitter and members of this Committee and with the Corps to authorize a flood control system that will protect the city of New Orleans. Let me again thank you all for coming today and I look forward to your testimony.

And since we now have conclusive proof, according to the Sept. 28, 2005 GAO report, that these Barriers if constructed would during Katrina have made the flooding in New Orleans worse.

And since now thanks to this Oct. 6, 2005 false, misleading-disinformation statement of Senator Inhofe, using retired Corps officials (one whom SOWL went to the FBI and complained about for his roll as Corps' counsel in the criminal activities by the Corps in diking, damning 5,200 acres of navigable wetlands-estuaries for the Eden Isle Subdivision, Slidell, La., now obliterated by Katrina)

And of course Senator Inhofe using the good name of Dr. Gregory Stone and the LSU Coastal Studies Institute to label SOWL as an "extremist environmental group,"resulting in a barrage of hate, threatening, intimidating, violent attacks on SOWL-even accusing SOWL of murdering the people of New Orleans. All of this false information has and is resulting in immediate and irreparable damage and harm to SOWL and her members. And this false, unscientific, and undocumented information that the Corps Chef Menteur Rigolets barriers, if not enjoined by SOWL and U.S. District Court Judge Charles J. Schwartz Jr., would have reduced the Katrina flood surge, preventing New Orleans from flooding, must now be corrected by Dr. Gregory Stone, and Dr.Harry H. Roberts, Director of the LSU Coastal Studies Institute as soon as possible.

Sincerely in hope for truth over lies,
SOWL

P.S. below is previous email sent to you on Nov. 2, 2005 for your easy reference:

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Dear Dr. Gregory Stone,

Attached is U.S. Senator James Inhofe statement quoting you as director of LSU Coastal Studies Institute as follows:

1. Those outside the Corps came to similar conclusions, Gregory Stone, Professor and Director of the Coastal Studies Institute of Louisiana State Universisty stated the abandoned plan “would have likely reduced storm surge coming from the Gulf and into Lake Ponchartrain. These floodgates would have alleviated the flooding of New Orleans caused by Hurricane Katrina.”

It's my understanding after telephone conversation with you on Wed. Nov. 2, 2005 that you did not personally appear before Senator Inhofe's committee on Oct. 6, 2005.

That you do not recall mentioning the Chef Menteur-Rigolets barriers that Save Our Wetlands Inc.(SOWL) enjoined in 1977.

That you do recall stating "barrier islands" as being able to reduce the Katrina storm surge. However you need until next week to examine Senator Inhofe's use of your name and quote and information attributed to you and the LSU Coastal Studies Institute.

It's my understanding that Inhofe falsely labeled you as Director of LSU Coastal Studies Institute, and this is a position held by Dr. Harry H. Roberts.

As I stated on the phone, Inhofe's conclusions that the Corps' Barriers if not enjoined by SOWL would have reduced Katrina's storm surge, and "saved New Orleans" are totally false. As per the GAO report of Sept. 28, 2005 "if the Barriers have been constructed the flooding in New Orleans would have been worse." For further information and documentation, I refer both you and Dr. Roberts to the Sept. 28, 2005 GAO report and the Oct. 21, 2005 SOWL Press Release found at www.saveourwetlands.org

As I previously stated on the phone, Inhofe's false conclusions based on ex-corps' officials, and the use of your name as director of the LSU Coastal Studies Institute caused a wave of unjust, violent attacks upon SOWL.

At this point, SOWL respectfully and humbly requests that you and Dr. Harry H. Roberts, Director of LSU Coastal Studies Institute correct the Senator James Inhofe record as per GAO Sept. 28, 2005 report and conclusions.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

SOWL