Yesterday, hundreds of local citizens gathered at City Park to show support for Dr. Anna Maria Pou, who was accused of killing four patients at Memorial Medical Center in New Orleans in the horrific aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Pou was accused of these appalling crimes by Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti, who rushed before the cameras last year and claimed that Pou used a “lethal cocktail” to kill the elderly patients. Foti received international attention when he ordered the arrest of Pou and two MemorialMedicalCenter nurses.
Except for this case, most people are unfamiliar with what, if anything, the Attorney General has accomplished in office. In his term, Foti has been largely ineffective. He is known mostly for pursuing these ludicrous charges against Pou and the two nurses. Some critics have charged that Foti was seeking headlines and not justice and was looking for a way to help his re-election campaign when he arrested Pou, who makes the same charges in a lawsuit filed this week.Interestingly, right after making the charges against Pou and the nurses, Foti rushed to a fundraising dinner.
Foti is facing re-election this fall. Voters across Louisiana should express their displeasure with this lame performance by throwing him out of office. In contrast, Dr. Pou has a sterling reputation as a medical professional. Her father spent 50 years treating patients, and his daughter learned to put her patients first. Pou is an award winning doctor who did not deserve this controversy and the resulting damage to her reputation.
During Katrina, Pou and other doctors displayed tremendous courage by staying behindand placing their own safety at risk to take care of patients in need. When Katrina slammed into the City of New Orleans, Pou was treating patients in the hellish conditions of MemorialMedicalCenter, where temperatures were skyrocketing, water was rising and supplies were dwindling.
In return for her heroism, Pou was accused of murder by a publicity seeking Attorney General. She was arrested and still faces an uncertain future. Yesterday’s rally will hopefully spur action from the District Attorney’s office which has been sitting on the case for over a year. In that time, a grand jury has been convened and the charges against the two nurses have been dropped. Likewise, there should be no charges filed against Pou, who has been free on bond the past year. It is time to clear the name of this fine doctor and let her get back to doing what she does best, helping others.
Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 8:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 5 till 9 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
Dear Wut, I agree wholeheartedly with your assesment of the police state we live in. Eugenics are here, and a country that has murdered 40 million babies will most assuredly begin to kill the weak and infirm, no doubt under the guise of the neo pagan religion/globalist tool of "global warming", a hoax that the sheeple will not understand until Sting or another "expert" comes to his senses...but by then we will be slaves. Dr. Pou is not one of the bad guys, though, and is a devout Catholic. Pou's actions should cause no more than a blip in the land of Schiavo. But Margaret Sanger's fans are doing well, from Bill Gates to Hillary to the Bushies and Republocrats. Vote Ron Paul.
Written by ICOHH
on 7/25/2007
Dear ICOHH: You miss cued on my ponderings. I did not type "If not indicted" I wrote "My concern would be this becomming some kind of a landmark case. I already know that if I were on the jury, I would render a 'not guilty' vote. Now consider this, what if this is picked up on as a signal of the will of the people and the State then says it is o.k. to euthanise the elderly, the infirm, and horror of horrors, the mentally challenged and the indigent?!!!!!!!!" And my point is this, the exuctive, legislative, and judical branches of our government, whether they are state or Federal are out of wack. There is some kind of agenda going on that is out of our hands, our votes hardly matter anymore so it would seem. Hitler's goons did the same type of thing when purging a country of what they considered to be "an undesireable element". This element was not only comprised of Jews, but also of the infirm, the elderly, the mentally ill, gypsies, homos, communists, pollocks, people of less than X % of "Arian Blood" etc., etc. Now if a reoccurrence of this type of a thing can happen, and it probably will with the world's population hovering at over 6billion + and exponentially increasing, sad to say, Louisiana is a number one candidate for this kind of behavior to become a norm, and the sheeple will huddle at mass and pray the cloud passes over them. Go figure. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, and when in the 9th ward, drown like rats in a rain barrel.
Written by Wut in Gawds name?
on 7/19/2007
I have watched from Florida the abuse being heaped on Dr. Pou and her brave nurses. It is unconscionable that people who did nothing to help them and their patients during the flood now would prosecute them for treating their patients the best they could while all were enduring the most horrific hardships.
Written by John Chase
on 7/19/2007
Jeff, I'm disappointed that you would fall into the same trap as so many others. Just because Dr. Pou is a native, went to the "right school", and perhaps you know members of her family, is no reason to defend her in a knee jerk fashion. The tribalism and clannishness of New Orleans may be one of its charms, but it is also one of its downfalls. We allow emotion and long-standing ties to trump practical and rational thought.
I have no opinion on whether Dr. Poe is innocent or guilty of the charge, but I have read the affadavit. Have you? It contains some very serious accusations. Perhaps her accusers have an axe to grind or some personal motivation to commit perjury. Nevertheless, these accusations must be taken seriously and checked out.
At least half your article contains "straw men" arguments which have absolutely no bearing on the case. The dedication and professionalism of Dr. Poe's father and Foti's performance as AG are completely irrelevant to the question at hand. Worst of all are the accolades and praise for Dr. Poe for simply doing her job, honoring her contract, and not abandoning her post. And why do you and others continue to bring up the atrocious conditions that existed at the hospital? How is that at all relevant, unless you're attempting to make a case for "justified murder" The only relevant question is whether she "did no harm".
Instead of parotting the same tired defense about what a dedicated doctor and heroine she is, and how she had to work under impossiblly difficult circumstances, it would be refreshing if someone could stay on topic and address the evidence and her accusers.
Written by Alfred
on 7/19/2007
Jeff, I'm disappointed that you would fall into the same trap as so many others. Just because Dr. Pou is a native, went to the "right school", and perhaps you know members of her family, is no reason to defend her in a knee jerk fashion. The tribalism and clannishness of New Orleans may be one of its charms, but it is also one of its downfalls. We allow emotion and long-standing ties to trump practical and rational thought.
I have no opinion on whether Dr. Poe is innocent or guilty of the charge, but I have read the affadavit. Have you? It contains some very serious accusations. Perhaps her accusers have an axe to grind or some personal motivation to commit perjury. Nevertheless, these accusations must be taken seriously and checked out.
At least half your article contains "straw men" arguments which have absolutely no bearing on the case. The dedication and professionalism of Dr. Poe's father and Foti's performance as AG are completely irrelevant to the question at hand. Worst of all are the accolades and praise for Dr. Poe for simply doing her job, honoring her contract, and not abandoning her post. And why do you and others continue to bring up the atrocious conditions that existed at the hospital? How is that at all relevant, unless you're attempting to make a case for "justified murder" The only relevant question is whether she "did no harm".
Instead of parotting the same tired defense about what a dedicated doctor and heroine she is, and how she had to work under impossiblly difficult circumstances, it would be refreshing if someone could stay on topic and address the evidence and her accusers.
Written by Alfred
on 7/18/2007
Jeff, I'm disappointed that you would fall into the same trap as so many others. Just because Dr. Pou is a native, went to the "right school", and perhaps you know members of her family, is no reason to defend her in a knee jerk fashion. The tribalism and clannishness of New Orleans may be one of its charms, but it is also one of its downfalls. We allow emotion and long-standing ties to trump practical and rational thought.
I have no opinion on whether Dr. Poe is innocent or guilty of the charge, but I have read the affadavit. Have you? It contains some very serious accusations. Perhaps her accusers have an axe to grind or some personal motivation to commit perjury. Nevertheless, these accusations must be taken seriously and checked out.
At least half your article contains "straw men" arguments which have absolutely no bearing on the case. The dedication and professionalism of Dr. Poe's father and Foti's performance as AG are completely irrelevant to the question at hand. Worst of all are the accolades and praise for Dr. Poe for simply doing her job, honoring her contract, and not abandoning her post. And why do you and others continue to bring up the atrocious conditions that existed at the hospital? How is that at all relevant, unless you're attempting to make a case for "justified murder" The only relevant question is whether she "did no harm".
Instead of parotting the same tired defense about what a dedicated doctor and heroine she is, and how she had to work under impossiblly difficult circumstances, it would be refreshing if someone could stay on topic and address the evidence and her accusers.
Written by Alfred
on 7/18/2007
I have a couple of friends name frank and angela and doctor anna pou murdered their mother who was not termanally ill. And angela was with her mother at the hospitol, and will personally see that miss anna pou fry in hell. So if i were on the jury she gets the electric chair. She is the worst kind of murderer, she hides behind the word of doctor. She murdered people who children loved them, you people are sick for supporting this butcher i wish it was your mother are father.
Written by anthony
on 7/18/2007
The new lawsuit is right on target. The only reason behind the arrests was publicity for Foti. If not, why would he have not let then turn themselves in as promised? He wanted to control the media timing and to have those mug shots out right before his fund raiser. Heroes should be praised, not prosecuted. Foti has to go.........SOON.
Written by Shadooby
on 7/18/2007
Dear Wut, If Dr Pou is not indicted it does NOT send a signal that euthanasia is acceptable. The same people supporting Dr Pou are AGAINST euthanasia. Dr Pou did not try to kill the patients. She cared for them, and gave them versed and morphine which anyone who has sat with a dying relative at home on hospice KNOWS is not a "lethal cocktail". The will of the people is that we honor the heroes of the storm, like Dr Pou. If we want to prosecute killers, then lets do it, starting with Gen Strock of the Corps, and every conjtractor that failed to drive the pilings and cut corners, resulting in the miserable deaths in the attics of New Orleans that is really and truly MURDER.
Written by it could only happen here
on 7/18/2007
My concern would be this becomming some kind of a landmark case. I already know that if I were on the jury, I would render a 'not guilty' vote. Now consider this, what if this is picked up on as a signal of the will of the people and the State then says it is o.k. to euthanise the elderly, the infirm, and horror of horrors, the mentally challenged and the indigent?!!!!!!!! You see how fast they decided that residents of the 9th ward are to be deprived of property rights and decisions. Watch the seals be broken................. And why isn't the A.G. prosecuting for fraud, malfeasances, negligent homicide, etc., etc. etc. where the shoddy Corp work is concerned?
Written by Wut in Gawds name?
on 7/18/2007
Foti was a disgrace as a jailer and is far worse as AG. He is evil and corrupt to the core. Still, you should see all of the lawyers who support him so they can get legal coontracts, in the same manner that Ieyoub gave away hundreds of millions of state money to lawyer pals for the tobacco case,instead of using his staff, and there was virtually no work done at all. The AG is a power broker job, and Foti is the devil. Dr Pou is all that is good New Orleans: Catholic, dedicated, family person. Foti is all that is bad: corrupt, self serving, parasitic politician. Their paths have crossed and there is no doubt that this is a classic match up of good versus evil. Pray for Anna Marie Pou, whose unjust persecution is mind boggling. I am not Catholic enough to pray for the one who needs it more. God help him when his eternal destiny yawns before him.
Written by it could only happen here
on 7/18/2007
My question would be: Why isn't Foti searching out the incompetent and bungling fools involved with the multiple collapses and failures of the levee system that ended up killing how many people? And causing how many multiple billions of dollars in loss and damages? And contributed to scenarios of elderly people stagnating in a flooded hospital?
Seriously, bzzzzzzzzzz........... Neglegent Homicide? Manslaughter? Fraud? Malfeasences of offices? Willfull and wanton destruction of public property? etc., etc., etc. And for the military court system and their advocate general: How about Derilictions of duty for starters? And we are having elections to elect more of the same kind of bungling fools. Or how about BECAUSE………………
"The world will not evolve past its current state of crisis
by using the same thinking that created the situation. "
- A. Einstein
Or..
"Dis State cannot get out o’ dis whirl of a mess we’re in
by keep ‘lectin da same kine-o’ chackasses
dat created all da problems in dee foist place.”
- Anthony Falgoust
Or how about: The Standard Politician’s
Code of Ethics
For the New Millenium
“To do or not to do……..
That seemingly could be the question…..
Whether it is nobler to maybe do,
Or perhaps maybe don’t
It is none of your business,
And that is our intention.
So complain if you must…………
As we abuse your misguided trust
Because we don’t have to do anything,
About dishonest suppression”
So be of good cheer…….
The New Millennium is here
And we can rob you
At yet another special session…..
But remember you……..
As you and I continue to do what we do….
It is not I but the soundness of your vote
which is the real question……
So be of good cheer…….
The New Millennium is here
And the loot you provide us
will be used to cause you more dissention……..
How about just getting strong and being concrete in intestinal fortitude? Strongconcrete intestinal fortitude?
Written by Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
on 7/18/2007
I cannot imagine that you would find anyone to disagree with you,except Foti. Nancy Marshall
Written by Nancy Marshall
on 7/18/2007
It would be poetic justice were that clown in the AG's office to go the way of Nifong. But this is Louisiana.
Written by jackamo
on 7/18/2007
For staying behind during Katrina and helping her patients, for dealing with the indescribable conditions we can only imagine, is this is what Dr. Anna Pou is rewarded with? Four charges of murder? Only a poor excuse of an Attorney General like Charles Foti would bring criminal charges against Dr. Pou. And what kind of message does this send to the rest of the health care community? At the first sign of the next big hurricane, many of these doctors and nurses might think twice before putting their patients first to such an extent, if there's a chance of another case like this happening again. Our prayers are with Dr. Pou ~ hopefully these false charges will be dropped before long. When Foti's relection bid comes up this fall, let us never forget forget what he did, and vote in someone else.
Written by Deon
on 7/18/2007
For staying behind during Katrina and helping her patients, for dealing with the indescribable conditions we can only imagine, is this is what Dr. Anna Pou is rewarded with? Four charges of murder? Only a poor excuse of an Attorney General like Charles Foti would bring criminal charges against Dr. Pou. And what kind of message does this send to the rest of the health care community? At the first sign of the next big hurricane, many of these doctors and nurses might think twice before putting their patients first to such an extent, if there's a chance of another case like this happening again. Our prayers are with Dr. Pou ~ hopefully these false charges will be dropped before long. When Foti's relection bid comes up this fall, let us never forget forget what he did, and vote in someone else.
Written by Deon
on 7/18/2007
For staying behind during Katrina and helping her patients, for dealing with the indescribable conditions we can only imagine, is this is what Dr. Anna Pou is rewarded with? Four charges of murder? Only a poor excuse of an Attorney General like Charles Foti would bring criminal charges against Dr. Pou. And what kind of message does this send to the rest of the health care community? At the first sign of the next big hurricane, many of these doctors and nurses might think twice before putting their patients first to such an extent, if there's a chance of another case like this happening again. Our prayers are with Dr. Pou ~ hopefully these false charges will be dropped before long. When Foti's relection bid comes up this fall, let us never forget forget what he did, and vote in someone else.
Yesterday, hundreds of local citizens gathered at City Park to show support for Dr. Anna Maria Pou, who was accused of killing four patients at Memorial Medical Center in New Orleans in the horrific aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Pou was accused of these appalling crimes by Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti, who rushed before the cameras last year and claimed that Pou used a “lethal cocktail” to kill the elderly patients. Foti received international attention when he ordered the arrest of Pou and two 
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