Learning from Ground Zero in New Orleans

"But for all their differences, the rubble wrought by Katrina in one place and Osama bin Laden in another share important qualities. Rich in history but robbed of a present, both areas need to reconcile their past with their future. Neither can afford to be treated as a blank slate or a relic."

"The temptation will be strong to transform New Orleans into "New Orleans," a smaller, prettified version of itself, all packaged quaintness and garish fun. The French Quarter and the Garden District, both relatively hale, could be hastily restored while the rest of this illogically situated town is replaced with a cul-de-sac haven on higher ground. This is a terrible idea: The city could never survive such a bludgeoning of good intentions.

"So forget about grand schemes..."