State of the Union Bingo Cards

Theres not much time left to print out your State of the Union Bingo Cards. I suggest combining this with some kind of drinking game for maximum entertainment.

Help Us Mr. or Ms. Reporter

Ive been reading the Slate series by Blake Bailey on his experiences post-Katrina and was happy to hear that he had found a place to live and a generous benefactor to help him recover financially from Katrina. Surely the benefactor at least is due to his column and the Bailey family looks like they will be able to continue their careers and their lives with reasonable stability. However, the story of Todd Larche in the Washington Post series is more grim, his family more unsettled and career up in the air after an altercation with a student at his new job in D.C. I hope we hear soon some better news from the Larches. It seems like so many people only get help when their story is publicized. I saw a woman on CNN the other day who had been unable to find out what happened to her mother after getting separated from her at the Superdome when her mother was evacuated by medical personnel. Due to the CNN story she was finally getting assistance. In St. Bernard the 6000 trailers highlighted on CNN are finally to be used, due to publicizing the plight of the unused trailers, while FEMA considers whether or not the proper procurement procedures were followed. I suppose these are just a few cases among thousands, that many are helped that we don’t hear about. But I just am amazed that reporters are now all “Help Me Howard”, a popular segment in NY where a reporter exposes petty criminals such as fraudulent contractors or auto repair shops that owe someone money or repairs. It seems like if you have a “Howard” or an “Anderson Cooper” you get to be helped, otherwise, tough luck. But now its not sleazy repair shops, it’s the US Government that needs to be bullied and exposed on television in order for them to do their jobs and honor their committments.

Tryin' to wash us away

I finally read the lyrics to Louisiana 1927 and was surprised at how exactly it fits what is going on now. They sure are tryin' to wash us away but it's not going to work.

Here's another good one, a link to the levee comparison pictures. How sad to see how we have been left behind.

But I like Chocolate.....

I find myself failing to be offended by Nagin's chocolate comments on MLK day. Isn't it true that the character of New Orleans was created in large part by a group of people that is feeling like they arent welcome back? Is it so terrible for the Mayor to extend some optimism that New Orleans is fated to be "chocolate" - even if I know that this is somewhat wishful thinking at this point? There is much to be said for the power of positive thinking. The message to pull together, focus on your goals, draw on your community spirit, and dont worry so much about what anyone else is saying is a good one. Although directed at the chocolates I think the vanilla can relate to this too if they give it some thought.

As far as God sending Hurricanes to the USA because he disapproves of our behavior this kind of talk does make me uncomfortable. I find myself being mostly OK with it when I hear it from someone I think of as a secular figure, and hating it passionately when I hear it from a religious figure or born-again type. I dont know Nagin's religious beliefs, but that's the point. They aren't on his sleeve so I am classifying him as "secular". I think when I hear this kind of talk from someone like him I classify it as similar to talking about karma or fate, not as ACTUALLY GOD pointing a scepter at the USA from a cloud in the sky and directing some storms that way. Is it hypocritical of me to give the benefit of doubt to some people and not others? Maybe. So while I dont take offense at this I disapprove of it as others may take it seriously.

I did think when hearing the speech on TV that Nagin should have known better than to address his words of inspiration to ONLY the black community, that it is of course part of the point of MLK day that we need to be one community. But if the black community in New Orleans has unique challenges today, I don't think it is so terrible for a community leader to want to reach out to those people with a unique message. I don't know if Nagin is the right person to continue to lead us into the future after the next Mayoral election, but I sure do like the way he speaks from the heart.

Lawsuits in Progress

I have been wondering what was going on regarding lawsuits versus the Corps of Engineers and other plaintiffs. I caught this article in USAToday giving an update. It seems a variety of suits have been filed against the Army Corps of Engineers for levee failure and more specifically for the management of the Mr. Go, Murphy Oil for the oil spill in St Bernard, and a variety of oil and gas companies on behalf of the fisheries industry. It is speculated there will not be much action on these suits until 2007 due to the backlog caused in part by the storm. I guess the lack of news on this is due to the fact that not much has happened yet but its good to know that these angles are being pursued. I am still looking for some accountability.

Saying It Doesn't Make It So

The Dunce in Chief visited New Orleans yesterday and pronounced it on the way to recovery. He said this like he'd tried to get a reservation at Galatoires and gone on to have a few Hurricanes at a karaoke bar. He said this like he'd been to some of the devestated neighborhoods and seen people coming and going about their usual daily business amid the bustle of a vibrant community. Bush's visit to New Orleans involved driving along I10 to a meeting at a hotel on Canal Street and then leaving for Mississippi along the same route. In other words he saw nothing of what is actually going on in New Orleans.

I heartily support the idea of giving moral support to the area and encouraging tourists to come back. But to blatantly misrepresent the situation for what is presumably political gain is inexcusable. I can only assume this was to justify the announcement that the federal deficit has ballooned to $400 billion. Much of this was blamed on Katrina. The populace is supposed to believe that this is acceptable because he has rebuilt New Orleans. The truth is less palatable! Little money has reached the Gulf Coast and progress has been limited.

Perhaps the Dunce in Chief is about to sign off on a major rebuilding package. He predicted a massive building boom in the South. This will only happen with his considerable help. I suspect this is just another reminder that our President remains completely out of touch with the South.

Mosquito Paradise

I do truly appreciate the idea of some innovative community concepts being developed in New Orleans, but really, Lagoons?! The bugs would eat your alive. It would be greate to return some areas to "nature" but this needs to be integrated into flood control plans for the area. Its not so easy to make an urban wasteland into a functional marshland, even if that is how it started out. From there and existing "urban assets" such as roads, and local interest from potential residents, we can hopefully carve out new communities. The lagoon suggestion is on the right track but needs a lot, lot more work.

Tags: New Orleans

Quote of the Year

The winner:

George Bush.

"I don't think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees."

Not that you needed to hear it again but I think as long as he's still President I think its worth repeating.

Hubigs Pies, another crack story by the Washington Post

What is the deal with the Washington Post? Since Katrina they have been doing amazing coverage of New Orleans and recovery issues. They are blowing away the New York Times and frequently have more info than the Times Picayune on New Orleans local issues.

Heres an article on the SBA completely ignoring major small businesses in New Orleans such as Hubigs Pies, which have now managed to start baking again. I'm glad to know that the pies will soon be filling the counters at convienence stores in the area.

Tags: Hubigs Pies

Predictions for '06

Whats the point of having a blog if you dont make predictions for the upcoming year? Here's what I expect to happen.

1. President Bush will be impeached but will not be removed from office.
2. No hurricane will hit New Orleans in '06 but flooding from tropical storms will continue to cause problems.
3. Increased weather variability will continue, with storms, floods, droughts, fires and tornadoes keeping the global warming debate alive.
4. The Supreme Court will split with the President to reign in the overreaching of Executive Branch powers and restore constitutional balance.
5. Independent party candidates will enjoy increased popularity in elections as many corruption scandals taint the reputation of current politicians.
6. Inflation will remain moderate and the housing bubble will not burst.
7. Focus on healthy eating will increase as groceries and manufacturers continue to be pressured by consumers to develop and stock more healthy products.
8. Youth will start to go deaf from listening to ipods all the time.
9. The next presidential election will be McCain Vs Clinton. OK its not in '06 but the preparation will be going on.
10. The Gulf Coast will take 20 years to recover from Hurricane Katrina.


bonus prediction:
1. People will get very angry when their blue tarps disintegrate.