Two of the leading Democratic Presidential Candidates will join Senator Mary Landrieu and others for a "Hope and Recovery" Katrina event scheduled in New Orleans for August 27. Here are the details from a press release from Senator Landrieu:
WASHINGTON – United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu will host a “Hope & Recovery Summit” on Monday, August 27, 2007, to commemorate the second anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the devastating flooding that followed. The summit will feature recovery-related panel discussions followed by a question and answer session and remarks with Presidential candidates, including Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C. Every Democratic and Republican Presidential candidate was invited to participate, and others may join the Presidential Forum.
“As the second anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita approaches, we are reminded of the significant challenges that lie ahead for our recovery,” Sen. Landrieu said. “The next President will bear significant responsibility for the Gulf Coast’s ongoing recovery, and this forum will give Louisianians and the rest of the country an opportunity to hear the candidates’ approaches for reforming our national emergency preparedness and facilitating our continued recovery.”
“Two years ago, a natural disaster became a national disgrace,” Sen. Clinton said. “Rebuilding this city is not a New Orleans obligation or a Louisiana obligation. It is an American obligation. And the time for action with real measurable results is right now. I look forward to joining my friend Senator Landrieu at this forum to discuss how the federal government can finally do its part to help New Orleans’ recovery.”
“We are not the country of the Superdome in New Orleans after Katrina,” Sen. Edwards said. “We can do better. We have a moral responsibility to get New Orleans back on its feet. I applaud Senator Landrieu for organizing this forum and bringing New Orleans the national attention it needs and deserves.”
The all-day summit will include five panel discussions with national and local leaders on key issues related to hurricane recovery and preparedness: Coastal Protection, Levees and Infrastructure; Education; Business Recovery; Rebuilding the Criminal Justice System; and Housing and Sustainable Community Recovery.
“The intent is not to revisit old debates over fault and failure in the days and months after the hurricanes – that is a road well tread,” Sen. Landrieu said. “This summit is a forum for fresh ideas and new paths forward for a great city and region.”
The schedule for the “Hope & Recovery Summit” is below but is subject to change as the event approaches.
Your coverage is invited.
What: “Hope & Recovery Summit”
When: August 27, 2007
9:00 am. CDT
Where: University of New Orleans
Lindy C. Boggs International Conference Center Auditorium
2045 Lakeshore Drive
New Orleans, LA 70122
Schedule:
9:00 am. – University of New Orleans Chancellor Dr. Timothy Ryan introduces Sen. Landrieu
9:05 am. – Sen. Landrieu delivers opening remarks
9:15 am. – Panel #1: Coastal Restoration, Levees and Infrastructure
Panelists (subject to change):
·J. Richard Capka, Administrator of Federal Highways, U.S. Department of Transportation
·Brigadier General Robert Crear, Commander, Mississippi Valley Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
·Randy Hanchey, Deputy Secretary, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources; Team Leader, Integrated Planning Team for the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority State Master Plan.
·Carlton Dufrechou, Executive Director of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation
·Jerome Zeringue, Executive Director of the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District
·Randy Roach, Mayor, City of Lake Charles
10:30 am. – Break
10:45 am. – Panel #2: Education
K-12 Panelists (subject to change):
·Ollie Tyler, Louisiana Deputy Superintendent of Education
·Paul Vallas, Recovery School District Superintendent
·Doris Voitier, St. Bernard Parish Schools Superintendent
·Matt Candler, CEO, New Schools for New Orleans
·Linda Johnson, President, Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Higher Education Panelists (subject to change):
·Dr. Norman Francis, President, Xavier University / LRA Chairman
·Scott Cowen, President, Tulane University
·Dr. Joseph Savoie, Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education
·Dr. Timothy Ryan, Chancellor, University of New Orleans
12:15 pm. – Lunch Break
1:00 pm. – Remarks by the Honorable Steven Preston, Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration
1:15 pm. – Panel #3: Business Recovery
Panelists (subject to change):
·Harry Alford, President & CEO, National Black Chamber of Commerce
·Ronald N. Langston, National Director, Minority Business Development Agency
·Darlene Kattan, Executive Director, Louisiana Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Thank you Sid. For the life of me I cannot understand why Baton Rouge has been so slow with all the paperwork that is required to move the approved money. Witt was head of FEMA in the 90's. He knows the system. In addition, at that meeting the Louisiana delegation was told that before Congress would even consider more Road Home money, it had to come up with at least 1 Billion. IMHO a lot of hardship could have been avoided if only the paperwork had been handed in on time. I have been told that there has been so much political infighting over what projects to promote etc, that no plan could be agreed upon. What a mess.
Written by Sharon
on 8/22/2007
That i can agree with, Sid.
Written by Diaperman
on 8/22/2007
Bottom line - if we continue to elect the same sorry old politicians in this state then we will continue to be a third world country. It's not George Bush's fault it's our fault. I heard today that the fed's met with Gov. Blanco & staff around the first of June concerning the "Road Home Program" and they had questions regarding the shortfall etc. The state just got the answers back this week and the fed's will have a response next week. In the real world, the Governor, her staff, our legislators, and our congressional delagation would have been fired for their utter incompetence and failure to represent the people that put them in office.
Written by Sid
on 8/22/2007
Ole Jarhead I really think if the president ordered an audit, we would see the money going where it needed to go.I also think if the president sent in a group of federal prosecutors to over see the problem of turning killers loose would be a big help to New Orleans.The fact that the national guard has been there for almost two years,shows the city and state has no control on crime in New Orleans. But in the long run I do thank you for the civics lesson
Written by Diaperman
on 8/22/2007
Now Sid just what is Jindal main worry right now,or where the heck is Vitter playing now.See the people do not matter, because everyone is playing politics and not stepping forward to help the working people.Why would a federal audit be bad,unless your afraid of who it will catch.Again as a former republican just about a month ago,I know people say this,it is the people fault for electing blanco, who had the gall to snub the president when he came to LSU.Great politics let`s punish the people because they did not elect a repulican.But the main thing is Bush wants to rebuild Iraq so how is that not socialist, but how dare we help americans.let`s bring 20 million illegal Mexicans in and help them by granting them amnesty for breaking into America,but to heck with helping Americans.Let`s leave our border wide open so everyone can cross in,because we are fighting in Iraq to pretend to make the country safer.Let`s give the illegal Mexicans free health care and let them break our laws,but again do not help Americans who pay taxes to the state and federal government.
Written by Diaperman
on 8/22/2007
Diaperman I re-read your post do you really REALLY want the feds to take over NO for a time? Lets see no mayor, no city council, the Schools run by the Feds, so the teachers unions would have ZERO POWER........mmm ok and well no Police department the Feds could declare martial law and shoot criminals on sight.... That might lower the Murder rate... mmmmmmmmmmm I think the dems will hop on this and beat you with it diaperman but it does have its merits.
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 8/22/2007
Diaperman,exempting federal taxes goes too far! if every state that had a natural disaster ie (Tx/Tornados, Ca/Earthquakes LA, Miss, Fl, Al, Tx/Hurricanes all the other states/Flooding, drought, toe fungus, etc etc....)got exempt from federal taxes then where would the government get the money to run all those nifty social programs dems love so much? You think the President should have Louisiana audited? No!!! It is NOT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS JOB, to MICROMANAGE a states finances.(See States rights.) Congress has oversite on who GETS the money not HOW it is spent. The President can know, BUT it is NOT within his AUTHORITY to interfere with the affairs of a state. Congress gave that money to Us, and "Crazy" Kathleen and the rest of the clowns in her administration blew the cash its not the Feds that we need to focus on its the current administration, the one that gave a NO BID CONTRACT to a company run by the former head of FEMA under Bill "Bubba" Clinton. The dems SCREAM LOUDLY about Haliburton and Brown & Root getting No Bid Contracts but funny they don't have anything to say about this even though we KNOW this idiot spent ONE BILLION dollars on administration costs for the Road Home(less) Program! don't Blame the President, don't blame congress, Blame our Governor, and our state Legislature! It is NOT the presidents responsibility to control the money given out in fact all he can do really is sign a bill into law or veto it. He can submit a budget, but they (the House) do not have to follow it. (see separtion of powers) it is up to the Congress to hand out the money. Now should the Congress decide hey your not spending that money like we think you should, then then can cut off that money. THAT is why we must choose our LEADERS and our REPRESENTATIVES WISELY. I agree about the hands on approach though I look at it slightly different than you do diaperman. The hands on from the Federal government should be cash which they have given, the hands on from the state should be good stewardship of those funds. As far as the plan comming from the Feds again I don't want them giving me a plan! What do they know about where I live who can get out and who can't? That is that STATES JOB! To me President Bush did his job, Congress did its job, its the state that didn't do THEIR JOB and they need to be PUNISHED I hope Louisiana punishes them at the ballot box this election! (I appoligize for the long post, I felt that I needed to give a civics lesson)
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 8/22/2007
I disagree with the statement that if the State couldn't come up with a plan then the Federal government had the responsibility to come up with a plan. We at the state level are responsible for our recovery and putting together a plan. The federal gov. has the funds to help meet the plan. The republican party at one time believed in states rights, the democrats seem to support fewer state rights. If we fall into this black hole we are no better than any socialist country in the world and that is not what the USA is about. It's past time for a plan to rebuild and rebuild in a better way. Mary Landrieu is more interested in getting re-elected than in doing her job right now. Another thing, what is "Blueprint Louisiana?"
Written by Sid
on 8/22/2007
I agree with you on the state tax exempt, but I still think it should be on the federal taxes also.I do think Kennedy is a trial lawyer who would love nothing more than a nice lawsuit to come out of this.Now correct me if I am wrong,if the president is aware a state is miss using federal money, and loses 4 to 5 billion dollars ,is it not his responsibility to the taxpayers to investigate where that money went.Rebuilding a city takes hands on from the state and federal government both.Now if it is in a state where you think everyone is some what honest fine let them handle it.But when it is in a state, where everyone laughs that all of their politicians are crooked, and money is disappearing,Then the federal government should be involed.Diaperman is not great or he would have found a cuter name to protest his feelings, but even I know after 2 years both sides have proved they can not control our own recovery.When Bush asked for a plan and no one came up with a good plan,that was the very time to say,if we are giving billions then we will use our own plan.Now as far as really wanting the feds running New Orleans or any other city,I do not like that,but if it takes that to help the people who are working and trying to rebuild,I say give New Orleans to the federal government for how ever long it takes,besides can they do any worse than we have.The people are what should come first and everything else can be sorted out later.I voted for bush twice, so I do have the right to expect something out of him,but I have been let down in many ways.I do not blame bush for katrina,but he could step up to the plate and do what ever it takes to help the people.If it takes an audit to show why he is taking control from the state, do it and do not care that people from both sides will be caught with their hands in the cookie jar.Someone steals from people, you do not just keep giving them more money, without catching the thieves.But it is easy to play politics and point fingers instead of tackling the real problem.Stop paying fema rent and start rebuilding the city for the working people.
Written by Diaperman
on 8/21/2007
Ok! now that I have everyone stirred up let me say something. I posted that about Edwards because he is comming here once again to poke his finger at us, talk about the two Americas then go back to North Carolina and live in the biggest house in the entire county. I jumped on Edwards for being a HYPOCRITE! 16 Million bucks is no small investor, and while he may not control policy or day to day operations, what he does do is he complains about big corporations running over the poor, but a company he is heavily invested in does it, and you on the left stay quiet hoping we don't notice just how much of a HYPOCRITE he is! Now Diaperman I think the tax break is a great idea but GUESS WHAT? I BELIEVE that should come from the state not the Feds. I say this because I BELIEVE its time we take CONTROL of our own recovery and tell the Feds, thanks but we will start taking over somethings now, and More later! How about Louisiana exempt Katrina homeowners from the state tax for a period of say 2 years? would that make you happy Diaperman? Bush DID PROMISE to rebuild NO! but did you listen to anything he said after that? OBVIOUSLY NOT! A plan was asked for... DON'T start on the Baker Plan! because I DON'T WANT the feds owning property in N.O.! (the Baker Plan called for the feds to basically buy every damaged property at pre Katrina Market Value!) Imagine how that would have played out the feds owning a HUGE CHUNK of N.O.! Ohhh heres a great diaperman whine "I want BUSH to audit the money!" YOU REALLY want the FEDS counting the $$? Or do you want President Bush to do it personally? Look again that is where the state should be acting with due dilligence not the feds they are not or Mommas or daddies! WE NEED the STATE, and the PEOPLE OF THIS STATE TO be ACCOUNTABLE.
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 8/21/2007
LT, Money has been allocated. Plans have to be submitted and approved for more to be released. I mean there has to be some sort of accountablility. More power to them if they can rebuild all the infrastructure and enough housing in less than 10 years but I think it will be 10. To hear some people in Louisiana talk they think that everything should have been rebuilt already. Heck, we still have areas coming back from Ivan. A hand up is a helping hand. Housing, essentials until one can find a job and a place to live and frankly do for themselves. A handout is money provided for free - no strings. Some have been collecting free rent and food stamps etc for 2 years. Katrina refugees here in Florida are saying they just got approval for 2 more years. I think we need some personal responsibility. Somehow I thought you were fed up with everyone expecting something for nothing and forever. Sorry I misunderstood. I too expect all elected officials to do their jobs. I am big on responsibility and accountability but am sick of hearing this one sided its all Bush's fault or the Republicans' fault. Fact is they have worked to help the Gulf Coast and that should be recognized for what they did. The Dems are not arriving with blank checks either but are taking credit for everything good that has happened. Seems the Governor cannot say enough about all the friends Louisiana now has in Congress. If it had been the Republicans that had said that before they would even consider more Road Home money, Louisiana had to come up with a Billion, there would have been a lot of squealing. Since it was Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, it was OK. We can do that.
Written by Sharon
on 8/21/2007
I want bush to audit the money, and see that it is going into the right hands.Cutting Louisiana a check for both parties to get rich, is not rebuilding New Orleans.I want him to look and see what is working and what is just being ripped off.Notice my pleas are for the hard working people,not for anyone who is still sitting in a fema trailer asking for more free stuff.From what I have heard very little has been giving to people working hard to get their lives back.The Republicans like to make it sound like all of New Orleans are living in a fema park and sitting on their butts,Reality is that a lot of New Orleans people have good or great jobs and are struggling against the system that does not want to help them.Thats why I like the idea of tax breaks on hurricane repair.That way we know the hard working people are getting some help as they rebuild.Not asking for free building material but just a tax break on damages.Blanco road home is a disaster but if the president knows that, he needs to stop funding it and put in a federal funded plan.Should the working people be forgot because of the non working one`s who get all the media attention.Even now Fox news is going to present the people who have not paid their bills,instead of the people working to rebuild their lives.
Written by Diaperman
on 8/21/2007
Diaper...I know what both parties say...dems look at LA as an opportunity politically and what else do you want President Bush to do? If the check is cut...and if there is an actual plan...all you need is funding. But the plan NEEDS to come from LA/NOLA. But how long Diaper..how long? Who pays for it?
Sharon...10 yrs...where does that come from? Hand up...define that. Sorry...your own politicos have blown you off. I never, ever give credit when people seek out, run for politic office and actually do what they are supposed to be doing. Keep in mind...at some point...people need to be accountable...and 2 yrs is long enough for that to happen.
Written by LT
on 8/21/2007
LT, I sense your frustration. But you hear it from them every day. In so many words "we will vote for whomever will give us everything for free". A hand up is one thing but an unending handout is something else all together. Truthfully, most of these people would not vote for a Republican anyway. Truth the Republican Congress voted Billions for Louisiana and the Gulf Coast quickly after Katrina. Mary Landrieu knew she had to get the Oil Revenue Sharing Bill through before her party took control in January. The Republicans did that. Neither party is without blame but it would be nice to give credit where credit is due sometimes. Yes, it as been 2 years since Katrina/Rita. It will be 10 years in recovery IMHO. Louisiana is not forgotten but it can not be item one forever.
Written by Sharon
on 8/21/2007
I think people should be making their payments,but find it funny after hearing republicans call for the democrats to quit giving people a free ride,they now jump on Edwards because a company he has invested in is doing just that.Now the hard working people of New Orleans deserve the help they were promised.Tax deductions for any rebuilding of any one`s house affected by Katrina could be a start.The levees failed and that was due, to the state and federal government lack of work on the levees over the years.Now Edwards having money is this company does not mean he controls it, but all of a sudden when a democrat does what the republicans have been saying for at least a year,they condemn him.Now I wish Edwards would drop out because he is worthless,but not because a company makes a business decision.I was a Republican just about a month ago,so I do know what some of the republicans have said.Bush did promise to rebuild New Orleans,not just cut a check and walk away from it.
Written by Diaperman
on 8/21/2007
Here is the deal...if something happened to my home...my insurance would cover all damages. Why would it? Because I shopped around and purchased that type of insurance. Do I think that home mortgage payments should be waived? No. Do I think that they should make their payments? Yes. What I continue to point is that all on these holier than thou Dems continue to moan and groan about uncaring, evil and just plain mean the Reps are. Yet you get nothing from the Dems. Why should just Reps bring forth a bill? Why not a bi-partisan bill? I do notice that the LA Congressional Delegation (both parties) do nothing. As far as free housing goes...free utilities go...it is going on 2 yrs. The fact that you would vote for the first republican that would suggest freedom of payments baffles me. Who would make these payments? If you say the government...then how long? You tell me how long should taxpayers cover these payments? At what point do we tell people...you have to be accountable? The answer will interest me.
Written by LT
on 8/21/2007
I just want to know if the republicans, feel anyone effected by Katrina should have to pay their bank notes.If the republican party feels this strong about 34 people who have not made their payments,I think the republicans in Louisiana should have brought a bill forward, or bring one forward now, saying no one,touched by katrina should have to pay their home mortgage.Now how many years of free mortgage do you republicans think all hurricane victims should get?I will vote for the first Louisiana Republican that will offer a plan that give all katrina victims the right not to pay their loans.
Written by Diaperman
on 8/21/2007
As far as passing any bill..."this just in"...the Democratics control Congress...therefore they control spending (Google it). Where is Mary's bill? Geez...WAKE UP!
Written by LT
on 8/21/2007
Them...us...not my fault...they did it. You want funding? Have a plan. Where is Moon's girl Mary's plan? She is clueless. Where is Jindal's plan? Clueless. Nagin...please...worthless and clueless (yet he was re-elected). John Edwards...no political future at all, done, finished. If you think that either of these parties actually give a rat's a$$ about recovery/rebuilding? All NOLA and LA are to them are photo ops and sound bites. No one seems to get that. The moment voters beign to kick out the same old same then perhaps progress will occur.
Written by LT
on 8/21/2007
Stuff a diaper in it will ya! It's not republicans and it's not democrats, it's self serving politicians of both parties. Get rid of crap in office and let's start over with a fresh group. We need someone in the governors office that will take the bull by the horns and call a spade a spade. In other word's we need someone who will take charge.
Written by Sid
on 8/21/2007
So why have the republicans not passed a bill saying the banks could not foreclose on any holmes that were affected by Katrina.See it is the evil democrats,but name me one republican who stood up and said no you can not foreclose on those 34 homes, or any other home affected by Katrina.The republican leaders,do not want to even talk about New Orleans much less try to help the people.What is Bobby Jindals plan for New Orleans and the people who live there?The one thing you will not see is a commercial of a republican saying, look what I did for New Orleans.
Written by Diaperman
on 8/20/2007
here it is in its entirety "It will be up to the Republicans to potray this for what it is a dem campaign event. Plus you heard about what John "I'm Pretty" Edwards having 16 Million Dollars invested in a company that forclosed on 34 N.O. homes for non payment of the Mortgage! (This was BEFORE it was in a Blind Trust.) Given this fact if "Katrina" Mary has him at this summit it will be a great thing to use against her. heres the headline I would use "Mary Landrieu invites John Edwards to N.O. The same John Edwards who had 16 MILLION DOLLARS in an investment company that foreclosed on 34 New Orlean Homes" Its like inviting the robber baron to your town so he can scope out more property to foreclose on. When he was here in June was he he to annouce his campaign or was he doing the Fortress Groups business? Was he just looking after his investments? But at what cost 34 families had their homes foreclosed on and JOHN EDWARDS directly PROFITED from those transactions! Mary Landrieu invited him to come here let her explain WHY!
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 8/20/2007
Funny my post slamming John "I feel pretty" Edwards which I posted here was removed. I would love to know WHY!
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 8/20/2007
Then why not have a republican show up and speak for the republican party.Just tell us how much the Republicans have done for New Orleans instead of crying the democrats are the only one`s at fault,What has Bobby Jindal done for the rebuilding of New Orleans?Bush promised to rebuild New Orleans, but I guess that was another lie,because as president he could have an audit done to see where the money is really going,if he cared.No he would rather keep bringing in illegal immigrants and spending our tax money on Iraq,instead of taking care of americans.
Written by Diaperman
on 8/20/2007
More on John Edwards...aka the Silky Pony and his 2 Americans...so it goes.
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2007/8/17/124237.shtml
Written by LT
on 8/20/2007
What a crock. This is nothing but politics. It will be interesting to see how many speakers for each topic show up. If they all show up for each talk there won't be any time for Q & A so Mary, Edwards, and Hillary can spin it any way they want to, which they would do regardless of the facts.
Written by Sid
on 8/20/2007
Senator Mary Landrieu likes to be seen with the Beautiful people and of course the power brokers in her party. Guess the money is still being held up in Baton Rouge until after 2008 so that the Democrats will be able to continue to use the devastation and lack of recovery as a backdrop for photo ops and a stump speech. But, my bad, this was not a political event.
Written by Sharon
on 8/20/2007
"Two of the leading Democratic Presidential Candidates will join Senator Mary Landrieu and others for a "Hope and Recovery" Katrina event scheduled in New Orleans for August 27"...not a political event? During an election cycle? Of course...please. Moon's little girl Mary says no finger pointing (yeah right). No one needs to hire a hooker...these folks (both parties) are going to screw you. Best way to handle this is stay away and continue the work of recovery. Useful idiots...so it goes.
Written by LT
on 8/20/2007
I am so glad to see the democrat party is still reaching out to the people of New Orleans, and the rest of the state of Louisiana.The Republican party has decided to allow only members of the party to vote in GOP primaries for congressional seats.No more will independent be allowed to vote and this will give more power to the religious right fanatics,you know the one`s who say do as I say,but look the other way when I do something,like hire a hooker for excample.I am sure we can count on the democrats, to welcome all people and continuing to allow, the independent voters the right to make their own choices in who they support, and yet maintain the freedom of belonging to the independent party.New Orleans is a major port and for the good of the country it must be rebuilt.
Written by Diaperman
on 8/19/2007
Sounds great to me, and I am sure politics has nothing to do with these wonderful people coming to help New Orleans in louisiana.I only hope somehow, one of them will do something to help lead New Orleans in the right direction,because right now there is no real leadership at all.
