Larry, that concern lingers. Many fear even to discuss that possibility.
Wally, just after Katrina I received a phone call - a survey from some group asking questions relative to just that. "Should New Orleans be rebuilt?" They asked that same question seven different ways and I answered the same for all of them - "No. Why spend tax payers' money to rebuild a city, any city, that lies below sea level and will always be at such high risk?"
If the world is so bent upon having New Orleans, move it to higher ground - any ground except that upon which it sits. Billions of dollars are spent in trying to defend a natural swimming pool. Let the ocean reclaim it.
If only common sense would prevail.
I'm a bit skeptical that Bush would dare to remain in office, no matter what happens, given his extreme unpopularity. During our last major crisis (WW II) elections went on as normal, as they did in the previous major crisis (the Civil War). I don't consider Sept. 11, 2001 a major crisis, when compare to the 2 world wars and the civil war. It was a shock, but was limited to 2 cities and 4 airplanes. Now, if we were to get into a major conflict with Russia that could change the dynamics, but our system is designed so that unless the country is nearly destroyed I'm not sure they would cancel elections. The US will fulfill its prophetic destiny, and to be able to speak like a dragon it must still have a fair amount of clout. National ruin doesn't occur until national apostasy takes place in the form of a national Sunday law.
But, then, I make no claims of expertise in these matters. That's just how I see it from my limited perspective. I'd be interested in other perspectives of those who have a better handle on national and international affairs then I do. But, just to muddy the waters a bit, I would like to point out that virtually no one foresaw the fall of the Berlin Wall (and thus, the Iron Curtain) and the demise of the Soviet Union, both of which happened rapidly (does that word sound familiar?). Hard to believe it's been almost 20 years (you youngsters out there wouldn't understand
).