Originally posted by Phil Rohtla:
It's very easy to want to assign blame in these situations (heck, I have in previous posts, in some cases somewhat unfairly...)

Here is a really good analysis of the situation. Easily the best (and most objective) that I have read thus far:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4216508.stm

Anyone get the feeling that by the time the investigation is done, the report is going to be thick enough to dam one of the levees?





It's interesting to note at the very end that the breach was in an upgraded and reinforced section of levee. This just screams out to me that something HIT it...I've read speculation elsewhere that a runaway barge may have impacted it and caused enough damage to start a break. And once you have a break, it's going to fall apart under that much water pressure. I know a destroyer under construction in Pascagoula got hit by a barge that came out of nowhere during the hurricane and took a big enough gash in the hull that it took on water, so the potential was there.

"Think of it, if you like, as a librarian with a G-string under the tweed." Clarkson on the Mondeo.