By host Tom Ashbrook:

On August 29th, the wind and rains came, the sea surged, the levees failed, and a great American city was lost to the hurricane. Two wild and troubled weeks later, George Bush stood in the French Quarter’s Jackson Square and promised to “do what it takes… stay as long as it takes” to put New Orleans back on its feet.

Almost three months later, life and hope stir again in New Orleans, but the city is in deep trouble — and openly fearing abandonment. Only fifteen percent of the population is back. Just one public school is open. Huge areas are with no electricity or gas or drinking water or sewer. And the nation is wavering on its commitment to saving the Big Easy.

Hear about Thanksgiving in New Orleans.

Guests:

Walter Isaacson, Vice Chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority

Michael White, Michael White, professor of humanities at Xavier University, and one of New Orleans most renowned musicians, with the Original Liberty Jazz Band

Shirley Laska, Professor of Environmental Sociology at The University of New Orleans
and Director of the Center for Hazard Assesment and Technology

Martha Carr, reporter for the Times-Picayune.