The Corps of Engineers has  a major public relations disaster on its hands. It has lost the trust and respect of the American people due to its poor leadership in the  New Orleans disaster and the impending Atlanta disaster.

We all saw the failure of the Corps to protect the people of New Orleans from flooding due to hurricane Katrina. As a result  of the flooding and home damage, about half of the population of New Orleans has  not been able to return to their homes in over two years.  

Atlanta may well go the way of  New Orleans but in the opposite direction.  By the summer  of 2008, if dire predictions come true, with no water for drinking and   flushing  of toilets, hundreds of thousands of  residents may have to flee Atlanta  just so  their families can survive. 

The Corps  passed up many opportunities to demonstrate leadership in this time of our drought crisis. Georgia Senators, Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss, have pleaded with Corps leadership since 2006 to update their basic  20 year old water control manuals and plan to reflect the 21st century needs of Georgia.   

We do not need people in a leadership position in the Corps of Engineers with such a lackadaisical attitude toward  basic water management and meeting the daily  water needs of millions of Atlanta residents. The Corps needs a shake up from top to bottom.

Danny Wyatt