“How am I gonna stand up and say, ‘I’m a vagina-friendly Mayor’ to these cameras after ‘Chocolate City’ and some of the other stuff that I’ve done, but you know what? I’m in…. So, I stand before you, a vagina-friendly Mayor. I am in.” Mayor Ray Nagin, March 7, 2008
Last week marked the latest episode of the longest running political show in Louisiana, “The Nagina Chronicles.” On Friday, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin welcomed the creator of the Vagina Monologues to New Orleans to promote “V-Day” in the city next month. As usual, the Mayor used the opportunity to create controversy and make a foolish remark. He proudly noted that he was “vagina- friendly,” coupled with his repeated claim that “I am in.” I guess Nagin said it twice to convince everyone of his cleverness and make sure that no one missed his sexual double entendre. To say, the Mayor of “ChocolateCity” has a juvenile sense of humor would be too kind. Of course, the problem is that he is the chief spokesman for a major American city.
“The Nagina Chronicles” has at least two more years of production. It will run until the end of Mayor Nagin’s term, when he exits City Hall and takes a position in the limelight. So, look for him as a civil rights leader, an author or talk show host, Tavis Smiley watch out!
Unfortunately for Nagin the reviews for the show have been brutal. While some appreciate the broad strokes of humor, most critics claim that Mr. Mayor has been an embarrassment, a disappointment, totally inept, needlessly controversial and almost always ineffective.
Here are some of the highest rated episodes of this now familiar program:
1)Mayor Ray “Na-Gun” Strikes a Pose. In this episode, Mayor “Na-Gun” showed his interest in high tech weaponry by playing Rambo and pointing an M-4 rifle at his Police Chief, albeit briefly, at a news conference heralding additional firepower for the New Orleans police. This scene was photographed and sent around the world for all to marvel at the “expert” weapon handling of Mayor “Na-Gun.” By sheer coincidence, this episode aired while crime stats were released showing New Orleans with a major increase in violent crime, retaining its title of Murder Capital of the nation. Just last year, "Na-Gun" appeared at a crime march claiming that battling murder would be his number one priority. Alas, that promise was not kept because there were too many episodes of "The Nagina Chronicles" to produce.
2)Mayor Ray “Na-Gone” Gets Testy. In this episode, the Mayor exploded in rage during a WWL-TV interview, upset at the airing of an expose highlighting his relaxed schedule and travel itinerary. “Na-Gone” shouted that he wanted a one on one with the News Director in the parking lot and that he would “cold cock” anyone who approached him the wrong way. The report showed that “Na-Gone” travels extensively to locations far and wide. He barely ever worked on Fridays and seemed to have an aversion to meeting with legislators or the City Council. When he did travel, he often created a stir. Before visiting New York, Nagin called the hallowed 9-11 site, “a hole in the ground,” which was not the best comment to win friends and influence people, but it sure made news.
3)Mayor “Willy Wonka” Reassures Chocolate Voters.In this infamous episode, set at a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Rally, Mayor “Wonka” channeled God, blasted people living in Uptown and promised that New Orleans would forever be a “ChocolateCity.” When he realized the gravity of his statement, Nagin claimed that he was only citing the 1975 funk classic by George Clinton. Of course it was very interesting that he would be inspired to relive the song during an impassioned speech at a MLK, Jr. rally.
In a city known for Mardi Gras with the nickname the “City that Care Forgot” it is not surprising that voters initially elected a crazy character like Nagin. The Mayor is comical and ridiculous and he is a laughingstock across the country. His antics give local commentators great material, for he is the subject of so much ridicule. Yet, Nagin brings the mockery on himself so he must secretly crave the attention and the coverage, as almost every day he figures out new and creative ways to generate press coverage.
Does this man have a speechwriter? Does he care what he says or how it reflects on New Orleans? The answer to both questions must be a resounding “No!”
So, "The Nagina Chronicles” continue, the longest running political show in Louisiana, now that Edwin Edwards is in jail, “Dollar Bill” Jefferson is on trial and the Longs have passed away.
While Nagin plays the fool and says outrageous things to stir the pot, huge stretches of New Orleans remain destroyed and untouched 30 months past Katrina. About 33% of the people have not returned to the city. Unfortunately, the criminals and the incompetent politicians have returned, but not enough of the law abiding tax paying citizens who can make New Orleans a prosperous city once again.
Nagin is the poster child for incompetence and buffoonery. The real “V-Day” will be the one when he leaves office, two long years away. Until then, the “Follies” will roll on and the audience of this tiresome act, the citizens, will continue to suffer from the poor reviews. The joke is on the people Nagin claims to represent, the citizens who voted him in to office. What a folly that decision turned out to be!
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 8 a.m. till Noon 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
No, actually the conversation should turn towards the fact that the deck is 'stacked' when it comes to potential leaders that are offered up as "approved and 'suitable' by the status quo in power" for the voters to vote on...... So where is the diversity? Where is the ability for the common man to provide for society in general. Hey New York has a new trend going. A blind black man from Harlem running the show up there now. Going to be interesting, Man can't read for himself what he is vetoing, or approving................. he is going to have to trust what he is 'told' by "who?". My how the wheels go round and round....... Written by Wurd up
on 3/12/2008
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This is shameless hate speech. The article should have focused more on how I make even more money than Mayor Nagin, and I'm in line for a pay increase this year as well. Written by Ceon Quiet
on 3/12/2008
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TD - Look, I can't say that there were many choices in that race. Kind of like that Duke-Edwards race way back when. Pennington or Nagin? Landrieu or Nagin? Oh, and let me retract my statement about Nagin. His recent actions have given me amnesia about his earlier actions. I forgot that he helped clean out a lot of corrupt people, including the entire brake tag department. When asked about his cousin, who worked there, he said, "If he's guilty, arrest him." I remember watching that and thinking that we were finally on the right track. What happened to THAT Nagin? Written by Professor
on 3/12/2008
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Fair enough - I certainly don't think I really won the $5 fair and square, though, since I voted for him in that runoff against Pennington. I didn't vote for him last election, though. TW Written by Tee Dub
on 3/11/2008
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Actually, I didn't ever vote for him. But, that's because I lived about 2 miles outside the city limits back then. However, I would have voted for him in the 1st election. So, in the spirit of the wager, I'd say that you won $5! Back then, I wasn't to involved in politics, and believed the "pie-in-the-sky" promises that politicians made (kind of like people with Obama today). His experience at Cox, his promises for Canal street and to relocate the Iberville housing project - I drank the kool-aid and asked for seconds. Written by Professor
on 3/11/2008
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I've got five bucks that says you voted for him, "Professor". TW Written by Tee Dub
on 3/11/2008
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WallyLove - Since you seem so ready to defend Mr. Wonka, please do me a favor - tell me what he's done for the city? I recall during his first term, he came to my place of business to make a speech. Afterwards, I spoke with him. During our conversation, I commended him on his vision of a revitalized Canal Street that would be free of crime and would be a tourist attraction again. Has that vision become a reality? How about his actions immediately post-Katrina? As much as I hate Blanco, at least she was on the phone trying to do things. Where was Nagin? In a hotel room with no electricity, no communications and no chain of command. What's the good of a head coach if he can't talk with anyone? Now, he's re-elected - and the only time he makes the news is when he sticks his foot in his mouth. I don't care if you're black, white or any color in between - he has hurt this city. Written by Professor
on 3/11/2008
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Get a life Jeff, TP apologized for grabbing 1/30th of a second of video as Nagin was putting the gun down on a desk to make it "look" like he was pointing the gun at Riley. You just keep spreading these falsehoods, speaking of "hoods" I hear you guys still wear them over on the north shore. As far as Nagin's "out of control outburst" I watched it and he was a lot more in control than most people would be who were being unfairly attacked by people like you. MLK coined "Chocolate City" in his speeches and Nagin was trying to do an homage. I guess a little subtle for you. Written by WallyLove
on 3/11/2008
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Of course, two years from now, he might also write a book about his years as mayor, and recount his favorite moments in the limelight. Who knows, but he may earn a spot as a panelist on "Politics With A Punch". Perhaps, he can be seated next to WWL's Lee Zurik or Eric Paulsen.
Wendy Written by Wendy King
on 3/11/2008
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I don't think Tavis has any worries about this thing................... Written by Wurd up
on 3/11/2008
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