In the five years of the Iraq War, thousands of innocent civilians and brave members of the American military have been killed in the violent struggle for the future of that country. Iraq has been a central focus of this country in the worldwide battle against terror. Our leaders have been trying to determine a way to reduce the violence so that our forces can be reduced, civilians can feel safer and the Iraqi military can take more control of the situation.
While our leaders have been focused on reducing the violence in Iraq, not enough has been done to reduce violence in one of the premier cities in the world, New Orleans. For the past two years, New Orleans has been designated as the Murder Capital of the Nation. Despite a greatly reduced post-Katrina population, New Orleans registered 162 murders in 2006 and 209 murders in 2007. With the reduced population, the murder rate per capita is higher than it was pre-Katrina.
So far this year, there have been at least 60 murders, maybe more. Unfortunately, citizens do not have access to complete information about the crime problem. The New Orleans Police Department has not released crime figures to local publications, so citizens of New Orleans do not have a really good idea of how many people have been killed and where the violence is taking place.
We do know that the last four days have seen a horrific spike in violence. Seven people have been killed and several of them were targeted in broad daylight. The murders happened throughout the city in diverse neighborhoods, shocking and scaring stunned citizens. The brazenness of the criminal element in New Orleans is shocking.
What is being done? Who knows what Mayor Ray Nagin is doing about anything, since he has been largely absent from the public spotlight since returning from his trip to China. Back in January of 2007, thousands of people hit the streets of New Orleans to demand action in the battle against violent crime. In response, Mayor Nagin promised to tackle the murder rate and make it his primary mission in office. Since that time, the murder rate has increased.
Why bring up this situation? Well, as New Orleans hosts the North American Leaders Summit, security will be tight, the city will be clean and the homeless will be removed from the major thoroughfares of downtown New Orleans.
When the media leaves, the city will return to its normal self and have to deal with a crime problem that shows no signs of abating. While it is encouraging that the President is hosting the leaders of these North American countries in New Orleans, it would be more helpful to New Orleans if he offered help to deal with the surging crime problem.
The President will not see the problems during his sheltered visit, but the crime problem overwhelms everything else the city is facing. This summit will help New Orleans economically in the short term, but the only way for the city to recover in the long term is to deal with its number one problem, violent crime.
Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 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.
Tell me, if Bobby Kennedy couldn't put Carlos Marcellos away in '62 what makes you think George Bush has anything to do with fighting crime in New Orleans? And perhaps more importantly, just because Marcellos was put away in '83 do you think crime came to a stand still in New Orleans? Or his tentacles still don't have influence in Louisiana as a whole, especially in the southern region? No it just isn't as 'regulated' anymore, and I am not talking about police action on the part of Police Department officials. So I would wonder where some of the custodians of the states concerns got their start? And then you have to think about the subject of crime again...... It comes in many different versions..... And if Bobby Kennedy couldn't stop it, what on earth would lead anyone to believe that Bobby Jindal is going to be any more effective, especially when crime and politics seemingly go hand in hand? Written by ...........Geeeze are sum a yous dumb..........
on 4/24/2008
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When ur right ur right. The opthe day an article was written about the homeless and the money going towards helping them. we have all seen it before the money goes to give somebodies buddy a job where he or she will do nothing but beg for more money from time to time and state the problem is worsening. how about educating them with this money community college is around 1000.00 per semester build shelters that require they go to school to get three hots and a cot. also jails are full of re offenders why? because no one will hire them.They have to eat so they go back to what fed them before. I say once they serve their time their debt is payed. The current state of things doesnt help them get back on their feet instead it hinders them how about requiring prisoners to choose chain gang or education they fail a course due to lack of work they go to the chain-gang for a semester this cycle is out of hand like an eskimoe once told me a crime is committed when you just keep doing the same thing wrong. and our politicians no it and keep doing wrong because there is money in wrong Viva La Revolution Clone Huey P. vote for Smitty ( he got what our levees need) Written by Lil Dab I'Il do ya
on 4/23/2008
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Crime, hmmmmm,,,,,, what a crooked subject to contemplate as we trod down its twisted path searching for truth.... Hmmmmm…….Truth? Ha!!!!!! That is the beauty of crime, there is no truth in it, so it would seem that something that lacks a truth that is SELF EVIDENT then it must be wrong.... So is being wrong a crime? Well, in today's society that we as a whole (or are we merely empty shells instead of being whole people?) enjoy here in America, it is not a CRIME to be or do WRONG, so we inadvertently promote and propagate the unbridled freedom of people’s choice to do or to be WRONG (or basically selfish acts) in lieu of doing good (Which can be loosely construed as being an action that contributes to the wholeness, soundness, and well being of the common man, as well as the uncommon man) Hmmmmmm,,,,, funny how U N is the first two letters in UNITED, perhaps we have a schism when language is contemplated from the get go. (eh Nespah?).... (Perhaps there is some guttural connection between united, and UN KNIGHTED?) I THINK EVERY ONE SHOULD BECOME EMPOWERED AND BECOME A KNIGHT OF THE REALM, OR WE ARE ALL GOING TO SIMPLY SUFFER FROM THE DARKNESS OF NIGHT………..Understand there is a vast difference between making a mistake, and out and out bull headed determination to continue to do wrong……. Again, an understanding of what ‘Crime’ IS. Not an understanding of what ‘is….. IS’ And just because conditions are bad in New Orleans that doesn’t mean “THAT IS JUST WUT IT IS”. Because it doesn’t mean it has to be that way…. There are many fine folks in the 9th ward… (Oh, oh, is there a veiled reference to race in that statement?!?!?!?!?) Well, yes, there surely is, because the first thing when one attempts to address the subject of CRIME or WRONG, one has to be TRUTHFUL……….. (OH MAH GAWD!!!!!!!!! Oh-uh-uh dat wite boy didn juz say dats!!!!!!!!!) The basic fundamental crimes that everyone can recognize and identify without a doubt are: Killing, raping, and theft…… I say that a lack of stimulating economic soundness is one of the cornerstones of crime…… And that is that helps in part to stimulate crime……. So in other words, one has to take the bite out of crime one bite at a time……. So what is on the dish? No, not being poor, but rather the lack for the realistic potential for a person being empowered to elevate oneself out of that condition is cornerstone of crime, and that IS a crime, but some would say it is merely wrong, and there we go back to square one where the general consensus appears to be that it is prudent and proper to not only think in a wrong frame of mind but to also continue to do wrong and drag the fellow man down into a deep and dark abyss…. So, how do we break the cycle? For one thing quit focusing and arguing about ‘race’ because that is a subject that is spun and spun and spun distracting the masses from the ‘TRUE FACTS OF THE MATTER. Instead look at the culprit that causes some segments within a racially categorized group to go ‘bad’, or to do ‘wrong’ or to commit ‘crime’, against society, and ultimately at the root of it, to their self….. Some have said “A mind is a terrible thing to waste”. I used to see that motto on billboards all the time… I say that ‘A life is a terrible thing to waste’. So it would seem that conditions must come about for members of the few to become productive contributors to the whole instead of being a detractor to the many……… Well, enough, is enough, I have to consider the attention span of the viewer and it appears for the most part where the readers on this buzzy bored could be concerned anything more than contemplating whether to have a Pepsi, or a Coke is completely out of reason for me to write about, I mean Hell’s Bells, I just hit 687 words, OOOPPSSS Now it is 690, No wait, now it is 6999….. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, 701, 702,703,………………………………………………….. Written by ...Uhhhhh, fix it in 700 words or less?? HA!!
on 4/23/2008
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I thought crime an Lousy Anna were pseunonomous (I can say just not spell it). The real crimes that are committed by the politicians. They hold the power to do the right thing and choose to take graft or money from lobbyists (same thing) we vote them in and then the rich buy em and we don't matter anymore crime could be wiped out if there was money in it. We could have stronger levees if the go would back solid ideas by people who are not related to the powers that be instead we have the same problems we did pre katrina. maybe the feds should take over and drag this state out of the crap that our esteemed politicians seem to love to "waller" in.
Clone Huey P. Long
Vote for Smitty Written by legion for we are many
on 4/23/2008
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Well for one thing, I believe it would be proper if a clear definition of what 'Crime' is were to be understood, after all, sometimes a lack of action is considered to be 'a crime'...... Then of course one should understand the significance of the definition, and the impact on society at large as a result of the various 'Crimes' committed....... And secondly, I do not know about the about the absolute probability of the problem of "Crime" being solved, but it sure can be drastically and effectively reduced....... if a proper understanding of what is ‘criminal’ can be defined, understood, and pursued proactively, but that is another topic. To get at an understanding of 'crime' one must first have an understanding of the fundamental and basic social building blocks that need to be empowered to a greater extent that would be involved in order to achieve a positive outcome…. One thing is for sure, that access to politicians across the board, and across district and party lines (and state lines, duhhhhhh, and not just by our political 'mouthpieces') must be encouraged and advocated strenuously… I would wonder; does good spelling make you smart, or does being smart make you a good speller…??? It seems like there are a lot of fart smellers,,, er uhhhh, I mean, smart fellers out there……………………. Written by STRONGCONCRETE
on 4/22/2008
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That's making the assumption these problems "can be" solved. Written by kpf
on 4/22/2008
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I have no idea what George Bush would have to do with 'fighting crime' in New Orleans. It seems 'that' along with quite a few other problems , is a uniquely ‘New Orleans', or uniquely 'Louisiana' problem (Even thought it is seemingly a nationwide problem of epidemic proportions. Sort of like the FBI director that said corruption in Louisiana Government is Endemic, epidemic, and entrenched).... In other words, fish all y'al want, there are NO Federal 'handouts' of any significance that can 'change' this problem.... And the problems ARE social, economic, and political………………………….. The only way to start changing those things are by seriously approaching the roots of the problems in a systemic approach. Amazingly, ‘money seems to be at the root’ of all “weevils”. (No there was no msp. There folks.) “Weevils, Naycuck!-nayuck!-nuck!-nuck!-nuck-nuck-knock-knock…………………………." Written by So wat can you contribute to solve these problems?
on 4/22/2008
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Besmirchify Mr. Sullivan all you want, but then - if you feel soldiers must obey orders to prevent chaos - realize how wrong we were to prosecute members of Germany's military after WWII. After all, they were only "following orders." I disagree with Mr. Sullivan's assertion we should "help them recover from our destruction of their country" - I think not. They were attacked due to 1) having - at one time at least - a WMD program and 2) not allowing nuclear inspectors in to do their work. Most likely Sadam wanted his neighbors to think he had WMD as a deterrent. No matter. We do not have to rebuild Iraq, what we should have done is stay there just long enough to "confiscate" sufficient oil to pay for the taxpayer funded bombs and jet fuel used to neutralize this potential threat, then left the country "as is." Instead "Mr. Conservative Christian” George W. Bush wants to “install democracy” in this land of the “peaceful religion.” Again, I think not. Let these potential Kamikazes for Allah know we FEAR them having nukes and will take any measures necessary to prevent these religious fanatics from obtaining them. Written by kpf
on 4/22/2008
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Sullivan, That is, by far, the wackiest comment I've read on this board in a long time. And you have some tough competition, but you've blown them away with that screwy plan. Written by rougeneck
on 4/22/2008
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The president is not a sovereign king. The Constitution is only referred to during the oath our elected officials take; it is not followed in any way that I can see. Here's how FEMA is empowered to suspend our Constitutional rights at the stroke of a pen (and you thought FEMA's raison d'être was to rescue da po’ folks trapped at the Dome, how silly of you):
http://tinwiki.org/wiki/Federal_Emergency_Management_Agency Written by kpf
on 4/22/2008
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Mr Sullivan, you had better read your constitution. We may not agree with the war or the presidents actions but he is the civillian commander in chief as per the constitution and to advocate disobedience by military personnel could be considered a treasonous act. Didn't your father teach you that? Are you for complete anarchy among the military ranks? I believe some of you Bush haters are suffering from some form of mental sickness. Written by poboy1
on 4/22/2008
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Jeff, you are witty and profound on many occasions, but with respect to the summit and the president here I find you seriously misinformed. You seem to trust those you call our 'leaders' to be conducting a war to defend the US against terrorism. Iraq had nothing to do with terrorism. That has been stated by Bush himself. Terrorism in Iraq began with the war, and it continues because we are there. We have no responsibility to continue fighting. It is their country. We would not accept such intrusion in our affairs. We do, however, have a responsibility to help them recover from our destruction of their country. I have written a letter which I am distributing to all military personnel stating that a patriotic soldier will disobey the orders of this commander-in-chief. The soldier's oath, like my own father's oath, was to DEFEND the Constitution. That is what makes us American, the Constitution. This president and his administration have violated the Constitution, and in effect they are ordering our soldiers into battle as mercenaries for the corporations. Our soldiers are not fighting to defend us but to assure the profits of multinational, non-American oil and supply companies, which are often headquartered offshore so they do not even have to pay taxes. In my judgment, the soldier who serves the whims of an unconstitutional commander-in-chief dishonors the uniform he wears. Written by Robert Desmarais Sullivan
on 4/21/2008
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Nagin must be thrilled with the rising murder rate. He has stated that the title of murder capital is good because it works to brand our city. That, and the chocolate city, and his assinine comments regarding the Chinese, continue to show why we are in this predicament. Written by noladude
on 4/21/2008
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Nagin has stated quite clearly that he wants New Orleans to be a black city. One way to further that goal is high crime. High crime pushes out white people in far greater numbers than black people.
Add that to free housing for black people and he has two very powerful tools. Almost THREE YEARS after the storm there are people getting free housing. Three years of free housing because their apartment flooded. HEY I GUESS THEY SAVED THE LAST THREE YEARS OF RENT MONEY AND CAN NOW MAKE A DOWN PAYMENT ON A HOUSE? NOPE. THE FREE STORM VOUCHERS ARE ALMOST ASSUREDLY GOING TO BE MADE IN TO SECTION 8, WHICH IS FREE HOUSING IN PERPETUITY WITH NO EXPIRATION.
High crime and free housing for the lazy is very effective in keeping new orleans the black city with the highest murder rate, and voters for the 'nagin' types. Written by it serves Nagin
on 4/21/2008
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There have been times in New Orleans and south Louisiana where I have been afraid for my safety. Oddly enough, I always feel perfectly safe in a field where everyone is armed with a shotgun or at a gun range. Everyone seems to be well behaved in either situation. Hmmmmm....I wonda why dat is.... Written by ...just one of life's mysteries I suppose
on 4/21/2008
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In the five years of the Iraq War, thousands of innocent civilians and brave members of the American military have been killed in the violent struggle for the future of that country. 
