why don't you just ask for a gagillion dollars

http://news.theage.com.au/katrina-claims-reach-quadrillion-mark/20080109-1kya.html

I'm rather annoyed at lawsuits anymore. I think we should seriously consider a loser pays system. 3 quadrillion dollars for 'pain, suffering, and damages'? You, whoever you are, are an idiot. I'm personally disappointed that the storm did not add wrongful death to the claims listing there; Darwin clearly needs help. Are there legitimate problems and claims for Katrina due to negligence, absolutely. Does that mean that any one person's claim should dwarf the entire national economy, no. I haven't yet been impressed by the quality of the New Orleans residents in their handling of this matter (including re-electing Nagin). And this sort of thing makes it clear that these are people bound and determined to believe that the government exists to take care of them. Perhaps not living in a city that partially rests below sea level next time?

Or perhaps demanding that the city leaders pressure for necessary civil improvements? I heard few such complaints from the public masses prior to the disaster of Katrina. It was mostly a few meteorologists or oceanographic researchers who said Narleans was in trouble. So perhaps these morons should shut up and quit pretending they are owed something so outrageous. Some amount will be attributed, but it won't be ridiculous. To my mind anything exceeding the total claims of the city of New Orleans (77B) is going to be ridiculous.