Protecting Coastal Communities: The Dutch Say Yes We Do - In America, We Can, Too

[sensehofstede]

One thing to keep in mind that training is also an important part of living with water. Because you're always extremely close to open water in the Netherlands, all primary school students have mandatory swimming lessons. This includes regular trainings with swimming with clothes on. If you want your citizens to survive water, that is important too.

[myself2692]

because nature is keeping balance and nature decided that your dna pool is a weak one.. and that means one thing... the country that is 200 years YOUNG is not going to last... not with an American flag it won't and that is good thing because all you brought is shit... and more of it so beware the next generation is NOT going to provide you with any more information on how to improve your infrastructures why would we, we like to see you drown oh yes we do, elephants trying to swim ! LOL

[myself2692]

but hey keep on killing young men overseas with reasons nobody understand and flud your country we will watch oh yes we watch while the most anddddd the less crazy motherfuckers going even more crazy because the bill of a 100 grant is to big the one that matches the surgery of there sons daughters dads moms because the government cannot pay for it hmm and then this hurricane problem dsjie what a pitty ... you fucked us all in the ass not it is time nature is going to fuck you... BIG time !

[myself2692]

it is easy guys.... you take one poul of dna... where also germans belong to anddd you take yours well...there is just the thing one poul misses.... and that is education and HOW to do.... all YOU can do is drop bombs put up a big militairy scene and build the MOST terrible cars... that is NOT the credentials to keep your country dry... think of Manhattan think of who made it FUCKING possible !!! but hey Let's get fucked by the english and send out the REAL intelligent dna GREAT JOB AMERICANS !

[Tareq88]

In Yemen we could benefit from the Dutch system. Last year a flood killed over 100 people and left thousands homeless.

One of the contributing factors was the introduction of South American desert shrubs. Although it is an abundant source of livestock feed, it is now clogging canals and diverting them during rainy seasons. Talk about a dilemma.

[bettrwaz]

There is hope for a permanent ,workable solution to New Orleans' woes.

Hello-o-o-o , Elected Officials....!

[JustJim70118]

The Dutch know what they are doing! Congress needs to get a clue, and quickly.

As for redeveloping the coastline, the coastline started disappearing after we built the huge levees along the river. Why not buy-out the very lower part of Plaquemines Parish and let nature take its course with spring flooding?

[archimspart]

Fascinante ^_^

[luc59457]

Why keep trying to rebuild a distant failure?

[lablvr55]

Luc, you must be with the oil companies and the COE.....Your priorities are misplaced.

The USA will protect its infrastructure, the people will demand it.

[luc59457]

Oh yes, I am totally with the oil companies LMAO! Oh and I also make the machinery to dig the oil, which Is called a cavity magnetron.

[zweleyzzz]

Its all funny to you, Luc, because you live in Canada. As a proclaimed environmentalist, you don't know jack shit about what has contributed to the disaster in New Orleans. Go have FUN at someone else's expense. This is Not a funny issue but keep LYAO, AH !

You have nothing better to do than make fun at laugh at people who have experienced one of the greatest disasters that was NOT a natural disaster. So, STFU

[luc59457]

Wow, are you a control freak? LMAO.. I wasn't laughing at the situation, I was laughing at the comment. Now I have a video going up for people like you.. I don't need to say names, it's a generalization.. I expect a 1 star from you and ones that talk like yourself.

[luc59457]

My priorities? lmao. It is not up to you or me to decide what a countries priorities are! But that doesn't stop me from giving suggestions in places where your voices mean jack shit... AkA: here on Youtube. I do it for the humor, thanks for offering it to me.

[4nola27]

Really tells us alot about our Country, we have been put to SHAME by the Dutch in Holland. The big tough USA is a crippled Giant with the Wrong priorities.

USA, stop rebuilding Iraq, START Rebuilding New Orleans and the Gulf Coast where our people Live, Work and pay TAXES!

[luc59457]

The money system just doesn't work.. Stop trying to rebuild it is the best answer.

[4nola27]

This will happen and we, the people, will make it happen !!!!! We care about New Orleans and YES, We Do Too !!!

[wonekawa]

Holland is one of the most progressive countries on the planet with some of the nicest people I have ever met. Their ingenuity in water / wind management is a testament to their courage and creativity. What can we learn here?

[TheFunkmanearl]

Great video. Its awesome to see some sort of collaboration between the netherlands and nola.

[Zmbie]

Excellent Video, Sandy, keep up the good work.

[iching64]

As for the Corps, if Americans were aware that this engineering know-how existed, they'd have a very different attitude about the destruction of New Orleans and the Corp's liability. Do you think the multi-billion dollar Corps and Shell and other oil companies might have influence over what is seen on the network news?

[iching64]

The controversy is simple. If the levee problem is solvable - and the Dutch show that it is - then the question is who is NOT solving the problem? That's easy. The US Army Corps of Engineers and the oil companies, including Shell. The oil companies don't want any attention paid on the fact that they are responsible and continue to be responsible for bayou destruction. The wetlands aren't "disappearing." That's nonsense. They are being destroyed. Shell wants unlimited access to the oil.

[wanderbaseballertje2]

@iching64 Little fact: Shell is originally a Dutch oil company.

Another one: The Netherlands have been superior over any other country during their "Golden Age" in the 16th century.

Sorry if this doesn't matter to you :)

[ucanbaparamee2]

Thank you Sandy for all your hard and dedicated work. What is with all these whacked people and their mentally deranged comments? Don't listen to all the paranoid people about the Landrieus; the whole family has worked their hearts out for New Orleans and it's people. Have you talked to Ivor Van Heerden about his trip to Holland shortly after Katrina? He could use some of your spirit and support since he was rudely pushed out of the University. Best to you and New Orleans. Living Dream Films

[aragee]

I still wonder what is so controversial about this instructive video clip that CNN and others chose not to air it on the 4th anniversary of the Katrina calamity???

It is time to refrain from mindlessly repeating "Yes We Can" and instead stand up and claim "Yes We Do"!

[iching64]

The irony of all this is that taxpayers have already been billed billions of dollars for the levee system. The Corps permitted substandard work and has no liability. A city virtually destroyed and still they feel no urgency to do it right,

[iching64]

Looks like YouTube disabled the counter again. The comments keep stacking up, but the count hasn't changed since the AM. Why do they do this?

[BOONGATPIG27]

Mary Landrie is in the pockets of big oil. If you have give half a wit about offshore ecology and the health of the continental shelf around the United States you'll do your best to prevent her from having a negative influence on all you hold dear. She is a right wing benefactor of big oil money and has no interest in the natural environment!

1

[AbsurdRevolutionary]

The only way to make sure "never again" is to eradicate the worthless agency named FEMA and the branch Homeland Security. And put forth an uncorrupted government that actually cares about its people and sees them as human rather then just a number.

[nickatnoon61]

AR, you are NOT seen as a number by the jUSA/ZOG! You are seen as CATTLE. Read the Protocols of Zion.

[brojiml]

Nickatnoon61; The Protocols of the Elders of Zion has been discredited for decades. It was a creation of the Russian Secret Police under the Tsar of the 1880s, Approx.

Bernanke, Greenspan, Madoff et al., are criminals, expert at fraud. Their culture, race. religion, are immaterial.

Racism is evil in itself. All Jews are not criminals because some are; neither are all blacks liars because Obama is.

It's the truth that will make us free, not bullshit.

[nickatnoon61]

brojimi, The only ones who DENY the protocols are the JEWs /Zioniststhemselves. After many years of study, and a few years trying to debate with the JEW liars, I have cemented my educated opinion, from experiences, and research. So, I guess the JEW Holy Book, the Talmud is also a fraud??? You know, the book that says it's ok to have sex, and murder Goy children. The book that says it's OK to lie, cheat, steal,and murder a GOY?!? What say you about that brojimi? And WHO is BULLSHITTING WHO?

[uncut0072002]

But one of the biggest reason for Katrina being so disasterous was the feds allowing the wetlands at the mouth of the Mississpppi to be decimated. Larger ships allowed up the river. Nothing much will change until those are restored. They were there to keep the brunt of a storm from doing more damage than necessary.

[kdoddo3]

How can we get President Obama to help us with this?? Or is it Congress that we need to ask? How many times do we need to ask??

[nickatnoon61]

Don't waste yer time, looking for help from the perps,kdaddo3! The Gov. used weather technology to direct Katrina to N.O. They also dynamited strategic levees to flood certain areas, to chase the blacks out, and do a cheap land grab. N.O. is now being turned into the next SIN CITY/Vegas by the SATANIC DARK FORCES!.

[lindakocher]

This video makes me feel very optimistic. It's something concrete that we can point to when we demand better protection for New Orleans & the Gulf Coast. It will happen.

[studape]

Socialist little Holland puts the US to shame. Quality of life, vacation, health

care. O'Reiley can make fun of them but the truth is they rock!

[nickatnoon61]

I would like to personally beat O'Reilly to death! He is a NWO SHILL! In Europe only 2% are subjected to SODIUM FLUORIDE in their water. Over 60% in the good ol USA. Why do you think most Yanks are so fat and stooopid? lol Now, go brush yer teeth with some MORE FLUORIDE!!!

[caliguy92]

The quality of life in America is statistically much higher than the Netherlands...We currently have the world's 6th highest standard of living while the Dutch are ranked 7...

[Schokkie1]

Where did you get that?

The standard for quality of life is the Human Development Index, or HDI.

The Netherlands is 6th, USA 13th.

Do some research before you say something!

[nemastef]

It is time for greed, graft and extortion to stop and the govt start really caring for its citizens!

[4nola27]

We Need the Dutch Engineers, Dr. Ray Seed, Dr. Robert Bea and other independent engineering professionals along with geologists, architects, soil engineers, etc. It will be the showcase of America . But, not in my lifetime. We will DO this because We MUST do this.

Thank you Senator Mary Landrieu, Sandy Rosenthal, Mr. Bosworth and all of those supporting renewal and protection of our great city.

[n1rg]

but the problem they say now that they are a 100 year flood protecting new orleans not thats for a cat 3 hurricane they arnet even close to a cat 4 0r 5 hurricane.just look a baha ca today a cat 4

no one but the LORD controls MOTHER NATURE

[crescentrose]

@n1rg...good point...if you can't go all the way to cat 5 protection after a storm like Katrina...knowing that storm intensities are only *increasing*, and it was not a *direct hit*, it's like we are throwing good money after bad by even fixing the levees. What's need is go back to ground zero and think outside the box.

[neianna]

@n1rg And yet we *the dutch* make land out of water...go look it up our province flevoland? Was non existent before we pumped it dry...no God ever did that, we did...which is what you can do too! Don't pray the storm will hit you...Make sure the storm gets broken before it reaches you...lesser damage that way...

[n1rg]

or like the story about putting your finger in the hole of the dyke same solution

the levves were in the 1970s in new orleans around 18 ft high but over 30 years they subsided to around 14-15 ft when katrina hit.but katrina turned and the eye wall hit miss. the surge from lake pontachrain did in the levees in no.if that surge never happened new orleans would be the same today as it was aug 25th 2005 just a little wind no flooding,katrina would have never happened happenedt

[rjack52]

If the Netherlands can do it, we can do it. The United States has the engineering capability. All we need now is a government body that cares enough to make protecting this part of America's borders from the resurgence of future lethal and debilitating flood waters.

[neianna]

@rjack52 Exactly...and if the gov, isn't consenting go about without their permission...here in the Netherlands the politicians are afraid of the people, they know we can send them home packing if we want to...you people need to stand up for yourselves...and say enough is enough give us safety!

[crescentrose]

@kkroessner...on thing is that this whole process started before ecology was in the public realm. They started building the levees more than 100 years ago...and the Corps just mindlessly piles it on, rather than thinking outside the box. Now they know they know all they know, are they doing anything differently? Unfortunately, no. Just build the dike a little higher and stronger...yeah, that's the ticket!

[kkroessner]

It's never too late to get with the program! ... (my first post went way over the limit (this stuff riles me!), so I added the rest as a reply to my original post.) But, yes, crescentrose, you're totally right. The river banks were built up when we believed we could "correct" natures own brilliance. sheesh.

[n1rg]

if folks want to learn about how things change here on you tube is 2 videos and all should watch

1= a lady named camile and 2= a hurricane called betsy and just see how the people and politicans did things in the 60s

[n1rg]

what people have forgot is that katrina wasNOT the big 1 thats gonna hit nola.when the big 1 comes GODforbid all those who think that new orleans is safe.a cat 5 comming up the miss.river heading to baton rouge will flood every 1 and if the dont fix the wetlands that loose a football feild every day all the levees in the world wont help.put real engineers in charge and demand we fix this

[crescentrose]

@n1rg...my fear exactly. Katrina was a miss. But as far as I can tell the city is still on its knees. Folks living there, your opinion? I'm looking from my diaspora perch.

[andrewdoss]

Great video. Use the water instead of fight it!

[55cameo57]

Yes the Dutch have a similar situation in respect to living on a fllod plain,, But do they have hurricanes pushing uncontrollable water into the waterways,, How are they prepared for such a storm? Katrina, Camile, Betsy, and many other big hurricanes for centuries have been devestating property on the east coast and the Gulf of Mexico, Property that was above sea level. How is New Orleans ever going to be Hurricane proof? God Bless the Gulf coast, they have seen their share of misery

[fr922paris]

@55cameo57: It will never be hurricane proof, the point is to raise the bar (so to speak).

[LeveesOrg]

The country of Holland is the floodplain for three major rivers. The property above sea level in New Orleans flooded because the levee construction by USACE was so poorly done, not because storm surge was so high. New Orleans can cost feasibly be protected against 1,000 year storms. No one has suggested anything better is needed.

[johnsenkenn]

I guess they are about to make it a 1000 year storm proof.

[basfranken]

actualy the dutch delta works were build to withstand a storm so big it only happens once every 10000 years.... It could easily withstand a Katrina... If a big north west storm happens here it pushes in massive amounts of wather from the north see into the small see barier between england and the netherlands/belgium, France...

[neianna]

@55cameo57 You can't really protect against a hurricane, what you need to worry about is the water that comes with it....NO has no natural barrieres that take the first blow...you leave that up to the levees...if those break you're basically screwed cause you have no way to manage the water out if that happens...What I would do is use the bay set up natural barriers that withstands or brakes the powerful waves...after all once broken it holds little strength to break the levees ...

[xRedster]

@55cameo57 I'd also like to point you into the direct of the North Sea Flood of 1953 (De Watersnoodramp). A cyclonic windstorm caused a storm tide, in combination with a high spring tide it completely obliterated the province of Zeeland where thousands died. So yes, we do suffer rom catastrophic storms and our answers to them are the Delta Works and the Afsluitdijk.

[whodafokcares]

Can we? Of course! Will we? not in my lifetime, this is FAR too PROGRESSIVE thinking for politicians and trhe Corps to relinquish their control . SEEMS LIKE WE NEVER LEARN FROM HISTORY

[fr922paris]

@whodafokcares: *Some* of us learn... your point is exactly why the Corp should *not* be in control... take it out of the realm of politics and into the realm of "real" engineering.

[crescentrose]

it's up to us to change that since congress is *us*. our national infrastructure should not be subjected to the political process but that's what it is, each district trying to get it's own. that's why the system is a mess.

[fr922paris]

@crescentrose: Agreed. Unfortunately, *some* political process is necessary, otherwise you have too much control in some central entity, be it public or private. The trick is striking a good balance.

[crescentrose]

@afr922paris: can we say permanent independent commission or board comprised of: esteemed engineers, environmentalists, elected officials, citizens, planners, etc. Of course, but why not?

Congress will never give up the pork that comes with the oversight...that big meaty bone that no dog will let go without a fight.

Unfortunately unravelling this gordian knot begins with campaign finance reform.

[crescentrose]

yeah, we'd have to collectively sprout a planning gene overnight. think it's going to happen?

[n1rg]

the corps of eng.wont never finish a project on time because it is not in their best intrest.if you work for the feds your a gs-12,14 whatever and the longer you stay the better your bennies when you retire so why be in a hurry.they put 10 truck loads of dirt on the levees and the levees sink loosine 5 loads duh

[navcad56]

There is a world of difference between "We Can" and "We Do!" Reminds me of Art William's comment years ago...Just Do It!

[GovernWell]

The Dutch have done it and are doing it. The time is now for the United States to work closely with Louisiana to rebuild our coast and construct Cat 5 protection and living strategies. Now is the time for a comprehensive water management plan along the Gulf Coast and other coastal locations. Keep pushing Senator Landrieu - Yes we Can.

[n1rg]

i went thru katrina and betsy and camile and when betsy hit the corp on eng.started building and repairing the levees.,that was in 1965.when katrina hit the levees were 75% complete 40 friggan years GIVE ME A BREAK

[fr922paris]

@n1rg: we're trying to change that :)

[julesnews]

Ah, my maiden name is Van Gorder, so these are my people! Well, everyone is my people... And especially those who were affected by Katrina... To me, the terror and insanity of what happened, this moment, four years ago was a man made event. The answer to this man made problem is a man made solution, always working with nature to resolve our needs. It is when we don't work with nature that we find ourselves in trouble.

[x4167]

This video should be on every Us news channel,but of course the main stream news wants to spend time on Paris Hilton,and talk about how we need to send more cash to the middle east,instead of using it here.

[442210]

That's what is so great about America... it gives every idiot a chance to denegrate it.

One Tsunami and Holland is gone! Engineers plan for worst case scenarios and build accordingly. No matter what project, a budget must be placed so worst case scenarios are helpful... but what about that one-in a million case actually happening? Ask Holland what happens if the water level suddenly rises by 20 feet... even for a day. KAPUT!

Tragedies occur when the situation exceeds the expectation.

[fr922paris]

@442210 The issue is *not* that of building a "perfect" system, it's a question of doing what we are capable of for a reasonable cost to realize a reasonable return on investment.

[fr922paris]

@442210: Consider "expectation" to be a measure of technological capability in balance with financial returns, so the question becomes "are we using the full level of capabilities that we can for a reasonable return?" If you look at the sum total ROI of NOLA you will find we can afford quite a lot and still realize excellent returns, and the Dutch have shown us cost-cutting measures that do *not* reduce quality.

[fr922paris]

@442210: You *could* make your point without denigrated those you are speaking to.  Even in cases where someone else is being impolite, you might consider not returning the favor. Hopefully, I'm not being impolite :)

[gmm46]

It is hard to understand why it is taking so long for someone to take action. Notice has been given to us for the last 4 years. It is unbelievable that communities have not been fortified. I live on the North Shore not far from the lake and I am concerned about no protection in my community. How many more studies do we need.

[paschnn]

$7,000,000,000,000 to the parasites in FED-RES, $50,000,000,000 to the terrorist nation of Israel, (our contribution to palestinian genocide). The people of the United States of Israel have gotten the quality of government they deserve. When you're too frightened or stupid to take action, you lose ground to the Khazars. Look how McCain treated a citizen during their sweet little "town hall" meeting when all she did was ask WHY we don't have insurance like they, (McCain et al), have?

[442210]

"palestinian Genocide"? Show me any Arab nation that gives the "palestinians" even a fraction of the amount of money that the US gives to that hand-out joke of a nation.

[ImPeachthEcriMinals4]

paschnn: You said it best!

[dechambe]

paschnn, you nailed it !!

[onebaud]

Send all the Republicans over to Holland. Then see what they can get done! They would be under water in a year.

[neianna]

@onebaud Your republicans are too rightwinged to even get into holland...seriously I mean it...they would never get any footing here...look at bill o'reilly...

[AllenSurfs]

With local government (Mayor Ray) diverting the tax money away from levee maintenance, maybe one should ask "where did it go?" These are jobs for speculators, but not now because BIG BROTHER USA IS PUNISHING ALL CAPITALISTS. So the working man will have to pay -"YES WE WILL". Thanks to the ONE.

[billp4]

The US was the one that taught them.

[mscir]

Man what is wrong with this country? We're letting it go to the dogs. We're making every possible mistake we can make. And we can't even see Ron Paul in a serious debate, the media refuses to cover him! This country is so messed up it's mind boggling.

[peppers20]

How very timely that today's Times Picayune contains an op-ed from Eugene Robinson with the Washington Post. In referring to New Orleans, he says: "It has to be a good idea to upgrade the levees and floodgates, and it would be an even better idea to build some kind of enormous, state-of-the-art, Netherlands-style barrier that would offer more protection." A good idea? How 'bout a GREAT IDEA!

[MrPirate412]

This is a very educational video but due to politics things like this will probably never be saen in the United States.

[Standaman2009]

Great video! Want to support LeveesOrg? Friend them on Twitter and Facebook.

[iggyrn846]

Great video. It's a shame that we don't understand that this kind of protection CAN'T happen overnight. Their protection took over 40 years to attain AND is still dynamic. I like their 'I DO' state of mind. Apparently THEIR politicians really want to do something to protect their country.

[gvm198407]

Thank you! Informative and enlighting. Now is the time to rebuild right. If only the trillions being spent actually went to a project instead of just forming a committee to study a committee.......

[dlpwmp]

There is no reason that our country can't do something to preserve our wetlands and the City of New Orleans.

[blueskies66]

Exactly so the question is why don't they. They spend on all their special interests and banking interests (wars) but not on us or our concerns for quality of life and protection. They don't care about us. We need to face that fact and start from there united to make them care.

[oran6es]

Let's go Dutch

[xilla01]

Superb!!!!! Corps of Engrs. you cant replace your mistakes with the same substandard mistakes. What if a Cat 4 or 5 stike New Orleans All you can say is evacuate The City. Pay attention Politician to this Video.

[Zmbie]

Great video. If the Dutch can do it why can't we? Is there a Dutch law that says that if their work is substandard they cant be held liable, like our law?

[mikeharris32]

Rosenthals - Thank you so much for your combined and continued efforts with the New Orleans and National communities to protect our great city!!

[joetubecool]

More evidence that where there's a will, there's a way! Protecting the beautiful city of New Orleans and it's people has to be a priority.

[jksrockmom]

Clearly there is a solution to protecting New Orleans and other cities throughout our country from failing levees, but do we have the guts and do we care enough to pay for it?  So far the answer is no, and it's sickening to me!

[christinehmitchell]

Thank you Sandy for all your hard work

[jc8ward]

Panopticon, the flooding in New Orleans occurred in the wealthy Lakeview Area as well as the lower income neighborhood of the Lower 9th, as well as other mixed income neighborhoods, such as my own Mid-City.

[panopticon7]

it will take more flood deaths and more property damage--only to wealthy white communities. then watch the government suddenly do its job.

[jksrockmom]

Check out what happened to my home town right next to the infamous 9th ward, St. Bernard Parish - every home wiped out, almost exclusively occupied by white people, did you see any of them rescued by helicopter? My brother sat on a roof and was rescued by locals in boats, as were all the people stranded in St. Bernard Parish, they saw the helicopters flying over the 9th ward next door, but they never crossed the Orleans/St. Bernard line to pick up anyone in St. Bernard.

[peppers20]

The Dutch show the difference between embracing nature and coexisting with it rather than fighting it, which is what we have been doing with our failing levee system, not just in New Orleans but throughout this country. What will it take to reverse this mindset?

[kkroessner]

Thank you for stating this most basic concepts that have to be acknowledged before going into politics, costs, etc. Ecologists, like myself, just shake their heads and pound their foreheads saying essentially, "duh," we *know* this!

[kkroessner]

Destroying the flood plains of the Mississippi by containing the water is the cause of the destruction of the bayous and barrier islands because the silt runs right off the continental shelf rather than settling on and around the delta preserving shrimping areas and so on and so on. Nature knows how it's done. Let's pay attention to her as a model. We can! We have the knowledge and ability, but, We Don't. Why we don't is beyond me. Ignorance? Greed? Politics?