Good from Katrina

[kellysue24]

Being from LA my heart hurts for what is going on...This has been very hard for me to watch. I know alot on this board are sad as well...i did come along an article that was a little encouraging. Maybe we all need to read it.





Prof. Doug Woodward, with the Division of Research at the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina, has researched the economic impact of hurricanes.

"On a personal level, the loss of life is tragic. But looking at the economic impact, our research shows that hurricanes tend to become god-given work projects," Woodward said.

Within six months, he expects to see a construction boom and job creation offset the short-term negatives such as loss of business activity, loss of wealth in the form of housing, infrastructure, agriculture and tourism revenue in the Gulf Coast states.

In a note late Tuesday, Standard & Poor's estimates that Katrina could "shave a few points off our forecast of 3.7 percent growth."

Among the industries affected, trade, tourism, agriculture, and construction (Florida's largest industries), as well as Louisiana's energy-related industries will be hurt in the third-quarter, the firm said.

"At the same time, repairs to hurricane-related damage in Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and other regions affected by the storm should boost GDP in subsequent quarters," S&P analysts wrote in the note.

"Natural disasters bring in a lot of money from the outside to help in the rebuilding," he said. "The rebuilding boom will generate incomes. Insurance money and federal relief money will pour in. This happened very quickly in Florida last year," Woodward said. "Give it a year. We'll see positive economy results maybe by the third-quarter of next year."

[themuffin]

I'm sure that man who watched his wife get swept away was probably thinking, "This is a great opportunity for economic growth! Bye baby!!!"

I think Prof. Woodward has his priorities waaaaayyyyyy off. There is no compensation for massive destruction and loss of life in my opinion. A job is good but life is better.

Don't mean to attack, but it didn't make me feel better. Thanks for trying.

Hugs to us all
themuffin

[kellysue24]

yeah it still is bad and there was a huge loss of life...many of my very close friends loss homes, my mom cannot get gas within 100 mile radius of her home, and my best friend still hasn't heard from her dad and sister. This hits pretty hard to home to me, but it is nice that there will be good to come out of this.

[themuffin]

Well, whatever makes you feel better......

[kellysue24]

yeah true...and many of my friends who don't have a home anymore....

ok dropping it now.

[dizneegirl]

Considering that after a tragedy, the survivors and everyone else has to go on with living... I think it's good news that in situations past, and probably in this situation as well, that there will be recovery.

No, you can't bring back the people you've lost... but if you're still living, it's good to know that you can continue to live.

[kellysue24]

I concur

[BigRed]

If this had happened 2,948 or so, years ago, they would have said that GOD was mad, and cleaning up the mess. But today it's a, what did Prof. Woodward say? "god-given work project"

[thn1inside]

Originally Posted by themuffin

I'm sure that man who watched his wife get swept away was probably thinking, "This is a great opportunity for economic growth! Bye baby!!!"

I think Prof. Woodward has his priorities waaaaayyyyyy off. There is no compensation for massive destruction and loss of life in my opinion. A job is good but life is better.

Don't mean to attack, but it didn't make me feel better. Thanks for trying.

Hugs to us all
themuffin

Hmmmm....I agree! With this "benefit of growth" I sure hope included in the budget will be funds allocated for therapy because those that continue living will really need it!


Cassandra

[shanes_grrl]

It is sad to think in this devastation that someone could possibly be thinking of financial gain.

[Lacey01]

Kelly, Kelly

[poopiewuv]

I don't see how this could be anything other than economically devastating for the U.S.????

[lbiessen]

Yes this has been devestating on everyone in the US. The amount of people who lost their lives, their loved ones, their homes, everything they have.

[chassiepooh]

I'm in the effected Katrina area....And I think basically what Kellysue is trying to say, with all the negative that happen...there might be a silver lining somewhere.

When you are here...there is nothing to look back on, you try to find something to positive to focus on TRUST ME.

We all need to get back to work and make money...WE LOST A LOT OF MONEY! these people will need to depend on jobs like these to make money....one of our family members that lost everything including his job, is now making money doing odd jobs like this.....

so remember this is the silver lining for those that lost everything.

[Bubbles]

A life lost will never be replaced. But in times of devistation whether it is war, nature etc. In order to move forward we need to think positively. We may not all agree with the professor but this devistation my be exactly what certain areas needed in order to bring healthcare, construction and social service into the 21st century. So many of the people that were trapped by Katrina had also been trapped by the poverty and hopelessness of a corrupt local system for generations.
Hopefully locals will build stronger safer neighborhoods, the criminal element will move on and the schools will reopen as safer more productive places for the children.

[buffedstuff]

yea it is sad. I use to live in Mississippi In fact I was a kid when hurricane camille hit in 1969. I am so thankful that we moved and my heart goes out to those who were affected by Katrina and Rita

[StephanieK]

I have been displaced by Rita for at least a few weeks. Many people have lost everything but they are determined to pick up the pieces and move on. What else can you do? It is part of life. Sometimes it's good and sometimes it's hard but it is necessary to rebuild and recover. I refuse to sit back and cry woe is me because that only makes the recovery take longer.

There is usually good that comes from any disaster it just depends if people want to look for it or sit back and wallow in self pity. I choose to find the good out of bad situations. I could dwell on the losses but then I would be depressed and since this is a weight loss board, that depression would trigger a major carb binge that needs to be avoided at all costs. I spent a week off plan and woke up yesterday saying I will not let this hurricane be an excuse to gain back the weight I have lost. It's all about choices we make.

As to the topic of the thread, it is true that the rebuilding is a positive thing in the big picture because when people have to replace everything helps those who make and provide all that needs to be replaced.