Katrina laid bare many unsavory realities in New Orleans. Among them: No city, state or federal government has all the answers, and none can be counted on to always do the right thing in a crisis. But also: People will do some pretty stupid things in a crisis.

In principle, the destruction of houses that threaten health, safety and community progress is a good idea, although it's understandable why those homeowners don't wish to see the corpses of their former homes bulldozed. But has the City of New Orleans done everything it can to work with homeowners in the Lower Ninth Ward and other neighborhoods to lessen the emotional impact of such demolition?

Given the late and ineffective "action" — and ultimately fatal dithering — of government officials before, during and after Katrina, I wouldn't count on it. The government (city, state or federal) hasn't earned enough trust to be able to stride boldy into wounded neighborhoods and start knocking down houses.

But the people of New Orleans must also understand that the hollowed-out, moldy corpses that were once homes cannot be preserved indefinitely. It's not safe, healthy, nor good for the revivification of a great city. All of us along the Gulf Coast who lost something in the hurricanes of 2005 must understand that, though it pains the heart, some things simply must go to make way for something better.