Oliver Thomas: “They keep trying to come up with excuses to let this city die.”

How does that help with 10 or 12 feet of water? The levees, we pray, won't break this time.

Given what we've been through, if six months from now we don't see some progress in this community, everyone who has anything to do with it ought not be around.

Think of yourselves as survivors, not as victims

If there are leaders who believe that certain communities are not viable, say that. Don't let these communities or these people waste their time talking about rebuilding or coming back home. That would be extremely unfair.