Last week, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin led a delegation of area leaders to Philadelphia to learn from the City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia is sparking urban renewal by turning blighted buildings into urban parks and new developments. At the time, Nagin said the visit was “a big learning piece for us.”
However, it did not take Nagin long to begin trashing his hosts. Upon his return to New Orleans, Nagin was singing a different tune. Before an audience in New Orleans on Saturday Nagin took a shot at his hosts, “Let me tell you something. You ought to go to Philly and you will appreciate how clean New Orleans is. Just go and walk around Philly a little bit and you will appreciate….we have some work to do but we definitely beat them by a long shot.”
Of course, Nagin continues to speak just to the audience in front of him and forgets that when cameras are present, comments can be broadcast anywhere in the world, even Philadelphia. It wasn’t long before Nagin was apologizing for his critical comments. In an interview with a Philadelphia television station, Nagin said, “I intended no disrespect to the City of Philadelphia. We are truly thankful for the generosity of our hosts and look forward to a long, positive working relationship between our cities.”
I wonder how Philadelphia feels about the relationship now. In the aftermath of Katrina, Philadelphia lived up to its nickname by sheltering hundreds of hurricane victims. In an effort to continue to provide help, Philadelphia hosted the New Orleans delegation last week. After such generosity and “brotherly love,” Nagin returned the favor by blasting Philadelphia.
The comments were reminiscent ofNagin’s visit last September to New York City when he had to apologize for his nationally televised reference to the 9/11 site as a “hole in the ground” and his critical comments about the Big Apple’s recovery from the terrorist attacks. Nagin displayed an odd way of thanking New York City for opening its arms to Katrina victims and sending emergency workers, police officers and firemen to New Orleans after the storm.
If Nagin continues his routine of trashing cities around the country, then where will New Orleans be able to look for help? Nagin doesn’t speak for the good citizens of New Orleans, who are truly grateful for help wherever it originates. Twenty months post-Katrina, New Orleans is still far from recovered, with vast stretches of the city completely untouched since the hurricane. The population, the economy, the infrastructure, the housing stock, just to name a few critical measuring sticks, has not recovered. New Orleans is at least a decade from returning to some semblance of normalcy. The job ahead is huge, but instead of focusing on the monumental task at hand, Nagin continues to make inappropriate comments and then is forced to apologize.
When he was in WashingtonD.C. recently, he claimed there was some sort of governmental conspiracy to prevent New Orleans from recovering and that “they” were trying to change the racial make-up of the city. Since Katrina, Nagin has consistently made unfortunate and ridiculous statements that harm the recovery of New Orleans.
Nagin should follow the sage advice he gave to Dr. Ed Blakely after the Recovery Czar referred to New Orleans residents as “buffoons.” In effect, Nagin told Blakely to stop talking and start working.
Mr. Mayor that is a wonderful idea, now look in the mirror and take a dose of your own medicine. And, by the way, please, for goodness sakes, when you make a statement, remember that cameras are usually present. Choose your words carefully, better yet, hire a speechwriter and stick to a non-controversial script. Such a hire would be the best possible investment in the recovery of New Orleans.
Join Jeff Crouere as he emcees Politics With a Punch for our 5th Anniversary program. Check out our panel. It will be "funnier than laughing gas"
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 Noon till 2 p.m. weekdays on several Louisiana radio stations. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
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"South Philly Girl" - how can you make such a horrid comment about a disaster in which over 1,000 people lost their lives, and others, like me, lost our homes and virtually everything in them? Not too mention that it was shoddily-built FEDERAL levees that failed; it's hardly the city's fault. I can understand being ticked off about Nagin's gaffs, but to turn around and lash out at people who have suffered so much, well, it's really horrible, and I hope you'll re-think your post.
Written by TW
on 4/30/2007
Hey Nagin, you can keep your "chocolate city", that sesspool called New Orleans. Last time I checked, OUR city doesn't have entire neighborhoods that look like an atomic bomb hit them - the ones YOU could have protected, buy chose not to.
And while you're at it, you can take some of your own "chocolates" with you, you know, the ones WE took in for you after YOU f'd up your own city?
STAY OUTTA PHILLY!!!
Written by South Philly Girl Forever!
on 4/26/2007
Hey Anthony - I'm a Nagin hater. Not really - but I think he is a "loser" and a disgrace to our City. I regret voting for him. Jeff is just reporting the "truth". If you "majority" are only interested in having black leadership, then vote for another black leader who will lead so you can keep the race card going.
Written by Janet
on 4/24/2007
Jeff you are a Nagin hater. You need to be told when to get off. Every week you have to be chastised for not sticking with our mayor because we the majority voted for him; so back off. We never agree with you, you have no loyality to this city cause if you did, you would reconize the brilliance of Nagin at putting himself on the hook to keep our city in the spotlight. the man is a genius. I elected him cause he is a winner and the black community who elected him do not appreciate you for your attempt to second guess our black elected officials. this is our choice so print something positive like my neighborhood would not have come back so strong without the mayors insight and wisdom. I have been back in my house for over a year, after four feet of water, thanks to Mr Mayor. from your good citizens of paris oaks, change the city charter four more years
Written by anthony
on 4/24/2007
Jeff you are a Nagin hater. You need to be told when to get off. Every week you have to be chastised for not sticking with our mayor because we the majority voted for him; so back off. We never agree with you, you have no loyality to this city cause if you did, you would reconize the brilliance of Nagin at putting himself on the hook to keep our city in the spotlight. the man is a genius. I elected him cause he is a winner and the black community who elected him do not appreciate you for your attempt to second guess our black elected officials. this is our choice so print something positive like my neighborhood would not have come back so strong without the mayors insight and wisdom. I have been back in my house for over a year, after four feet of water, thanks to Mr Mayor. from your good citizens of paris oaks, change the city charter four more years
Written by anthony
on 4/24/2007
Jeff you are a Nagin hater. You need to be told when to get off. Every week you have to be chastised for not sticking with our mayor because we the majority voted for him; so back off. We never agree with you, you have no loyality to this city cause if you did, you would reconize the brilliance of Nagin at putting himself on the hook to keep our city in the spotlight. the man is a genius. I elected him cause he is a winner and the black community who elected him do not appreciate you for your attempt to second guess our black elected officials. this is our choice so print something positive like my neighborhood would not have come back so strong without the mayors insight and wisdom. I have been back in my house for over a year, after four feet of water, thanks to Mr Mayor. from your good citizens of paris oaks, change the city charter four more years
Written by anthony
on 4/24/2007
One has to wonder how Ray Nagin can walk with both of his feet in his mouth all the time. Hey, here is an idea: Perhaps Jesse Jackson could march on City Hall and demand Ray step down so some real progress could be made in the city.
Last week, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin led a delegation of area leaders to 
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