With respect to the editorial, "Rebuilding New Orleans: Government continues to fail its people," Jan. 18, the piece could not have been more off base.

Having been through Hurricane Ivan in Pensacola Fl., I have to say that predictions of debris removal within a matter of weeks that are made just days after a storm has passed are pipe dreams.

It is city leaders and talking heads trying to pacify the populace. One should ponder where we process the debris, and where and how it can be shipped out of the area. The roads are gone, and this is a mountain of a challenge for sure.

I watched the local news as the authorities urged people to evacuate, and the media's assertion that the government is at fault for the loss of lives is ludicrous. Those people were told to get out.

As for the failed levee system, that responsibility falls on local and state government. They "thought" the system was safe. When facing opposition to this view, officials said it would require more money. I'd like to see how much money the riverboat and casino operators chipped in.

As for the government's "responsibility," all I know is that the people of New Orleans were told to evacuate 48 hours prior to the hurricane's projected landfall. I was one of them, I know.

Although the loss of life is tragic, it was avoidable. I have heard many different excuses as to why people couldn't leave, and I say hogwash to all of these excuses. When told to leave, they should leave. They should not blame these problems on the government.