Do politicians have brains -- simple solution to unmanned pumping stations

So, I'm reading this NOLA story on St. Bernard pumping stations and I come across this quote --

quote:

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"The operators were called out and got back to the station in 40 minutes and the pumps were turned on," he said. "But that's basically how we're operating the system now."

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I also remember hearing how some pump operators in Orleans parish couldn't get to certain pumping station during the New Orleans flood because of the actual street flooding.


Then I start thinking about simple, CHEAP technology many of us have in our houses. I have a Nest thermostat where I can control my heating and cooling from anywhere in the world. I also have a Ring HD doorbell where I can see and talk to anyone at my door from anywhere in the world. I don't have a system, but some friends have systems in their house where they can turn on and off the lights and just about any appliance.

My Nest and Ring doorbell cost about $450. I can't imagine that the light/appliance system cost any more than $200.

So, for $650, I can pretty much control any system in my house (and talk and see anyone at my door).

Am I wrong in thinking that these f*cking clowns should invest in such widespread technology to make sure that they can perform the simple f*cking task of turning on and off the flood pumps?

They're spending millions of dollars on these systems and they don't have the funds (probably less than $1,000) to simply turn off and on the pumps when no one can physically get there???

What the F*CK?

Someone tell me where I've gone wrong.