The L.A. Times is reporting that “the present flooding was fueled by rampant overbuilding, deforestation and wetlands destruction, and the squandering of funds that should have been spent on flood-prevention measures. “The problem of Tabasco is that corruption continues reigning,” said Francisco Sanchez Ramos, a federal congressman who represents Tabasco. “Without doubt, this tragedy could have been avoided.”
Here are a few more excerpts from the Times article:
Tabasco and neighboring Chiapas state continue to struggle with the aftermath of the inundation that has claimed at least 19 lives and left tens of thousands homeless. Tabasco’s governor, Andres Granier, has estimated damage at nearly $5 billion and says that many evacuees will not be able to return for months.
Health officials fear outbreaks of diseases such as dengue fever, cholera and malaria. Opportunistic criminals are another concern. As of Tuesday, authorities had arrested 65 suspected looters in Villahermosa, according to the newspaper Tabasco Hoy.
President Felipe Calderon has visited the area four times since the flooding began and has pledged to create a $670-million reconstruction fund. But previous efforts to create a modern flood-control infrastructure here succumbed to corruption, cronyism and mismanagement, a number of people said.
“Corruption, cronyism and mismanagement.” That sounds like the City of Santa Ana. Maybe Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido should declare Tabasco to be a sister city to Santa Ana? Their politicians certainly appear to be just like ours.
I also received a news release from Gov. Schwarzenegger’s office touting the assistance he has given to our neighbors to the south. Here are a few excerpts from that release:
In response to flooding in southern M
You cite rampant corruption, then set up links to the clown show? Ya, I’ll be sendin lotsa money…