New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin gave his first Address to the City which was heard around the world.
Almost two years ago, he screamed at President Bush telling him to get off his butt.
Now, ensconced in the safe confines of D-Day museum, his cry was less shrill, less urgent but still pleading for the federal government and the Governor to get off of their collective tushes and help.
Weeks after Katrina, Bush told us that he would do whatever it takes to bring back New Orleans.He has not done so.Instead, he has separated wind from flood.He has set up a housing program and a recovery that needs a recovery.
Without doubt, the rebuild has been slow and so very painful.
According to Nagin on Wednesday, “total deaths are up 47%. Suicide prevention calls are nine times pre-katrina levels.”
Money is still plugged waiting to trickle down, not flow.That would be asking too much of the state and the Bush Administration.
Instead, New Orleans must be the beggar, asking for what it considers to be its fair share.
Yes, New Orleans has come back, some.
When I first returned in late September right after the storms, all that existed was dust, a smell that would kill, little potable water, the military with jeeps and plenty of migrant workers.I looked around and so no social life and wondered if there was any signs of New Orleans as it was.
Buildings that were still standing were de-roofed and destruction was everywhere.Everywhere.
And, as Nagin said, there was “no game plan”, no road map, no dots to follow.
During this recovery, Nagin has made a number of missteps.His statements have been divisive on occasions and have angered me tremendously but he has always been a beacon of hope when others would have simply thrown in the towel and some actually have done so.
The fact is that New Orleans has made gains.Our Moody’s bond rating has gone from “junk” to “stable”.
Retailers are beginning to make some money depending upon the seasons.
Homes are starting to be rebuilt but many just sit waiting for buyers and insurers.
Nagin is not, nor has he ever been the most articulate speaker.He has talked optimistically yet sometimes very openly voicing his mind, often failing to choose his words more wisely.
But, while Mayor Nagin was the man at the podium on Wednesday, the City of New Orleans and the region really is not about him.It is about every day people desperately trying to hang on for survival, looking with trepidation at another hurricane season, seeing their families fractured and hoping that big business understands the Jewel of America needs plenty of shine, big ideas and yes, money.
When we look back through the prism of history, we will realize that New Orleans had the least amount of stroke in the trilogy of state, federal and local government.We will see a man who failed to inspire some, but persevered and did try despite the incredible odds against him.We will see a man who has been vilified, has kissed the extremes and for the most part, been a good steward through a horrible time.
Moses did not see the PromisedLand after begging Pharaoh to let his people go.With three years in his administration, Nagin will not see the PromisedLand after begging the state and the feds for help, which has come, but not as promised.
New Orleans is a beautiful place with so much hope.It cannot be the city it was with crime, social needs and poor schools--but it can be the city it should be.Nagin can lead the way, but his administration needs more help from the public sector, from insurance companies who refuse to take risks and from the private industry captains who can see a miracle on Canal Street and want to be part of a rebirth.
Nagin’s speech was fitting being held at the D-Day museum.So often, so many of us have felt as if every day is the day of decision.Germany received a Marshall plan after World War II because the federal government was afraid of more destruction and of communism.Iraq has received billions to rebuild and let us hope it uses our money wisely.While New Orleans has received some federal aid, it has, and still gets a pittance here and a few coins there from the state and the federal government.
While Nagin spoke much about what was on his mind Wednesday night, he also held back.There was no yelling to get off the tail.Instead, he spoke of a tale of two cities:One in despair and one hopeful.Let’s hope like the dickens the latter prevails.
So anyone got any comments on my plan to get the residents of N.O. home?
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 6/1/2007
Exactly but to many "It's Bush's fault" is easier.
Written by Sharon
on 6/1/2007
Why thank you Miss Sharon, ok so there was a plan? That makes it WORSE!! Since there was a plan, and since Nagin didn't implement said plan, doesn't that make hime CULPABLE in any or all the Deaths that occured in N.O.? Had the plan been implemented who knows how many would have been saved! SOMEONE needs to hold him responsible!
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 6/1/2007
Thank you Jarhead. The only thing that I would like to add is that there was a written plan for the evacuation of New Orleans. Nagin did not impliment it. If he would not/could not, then Blanco as Governor should have stepped in. Like she is blaming Bush for being too slow. She was too slow. Someone should have insisted that those pumps be manned. Just where did they expect that water to go. Is there generators to run those pumps in a hurricane? We will see if Mr. Broussard pays a price for his incompetence and especially for his televison performance where he LIED.
Written by Sharon
on 6/1/2007
Agreed... no plan... no money, plain and simple. Nagin can blame everyone and his/her mother, but the finger ultimately points to him (Nagin) and his lack of leadership. Nagin's being a loser makes everyone in New Orleans a loser. I would venture to ask the feds, and the state, to not give the city the whole amount of money, but mandate New Orleans to stick to the plan and give money as benchmarks are met. If it is given in one lump sum, we'll never move off of square one.
Written by Maxwell
on 5/31/2007
This is louisiana democrats at their best and see how much they care about recovery.
The Louisiana House overwhelmingly agreed Thursday to over $29 billion budget for next year, turning away attempts by Republican lawmakers to cut spending and by New Orleans area lawmakers to earmark larger sums of money to hurricane recovery.Notice the House refused attempts to significantly boost hurricane recovery spending beyond what was already proposed, including proposals to put money into the homeowner aid program called the Road Home, which faces a $3 billion shortfall or more.I hope someone is proud the louisiana good old boys are so worried about New Orleans and hurricane recovery.Here is the link and it is worth reading to see why.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LA_XGR_THE_BUDGET_LAOL-?SITE=LAMON&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Written by Susan
on 5/31/2007
Ohhh yes Stephens article made 7 attempts to say we needed to give NO more money, SEVEN TIMES he made the case, Sir I just think your wrong on this, though I do respect your opinion.
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 5/31/2007
STEPHEN WHAT KINDA PUFF PIECE IS THIS!! (Calm done Jarhead, don't yell at the lib, he has the right to an opinion) Ok I am better... now I want to take this story apart piece by piece using LOGIC. "Bush hasn't done everything it takes" BULL there has been Billions GIVEN to this state, but I know once you libs start getting free money you just can't stop yourselves.(I will give a total count at the end of how many times the term MORE MONEY is used in this article) "The Money is Plugged up....he set up a housing and recovery program" ohh here we go ANOTHER chance for them to Blame Bush! What is he supposed to do? COME DOWN HERE AND HAND IT OUT HIMSELF? Blame "Crazy" Kathleen and the Lazy left wing LIBS in our State House for that one! SHE (The Gov) NOT PRESIDENT BUSH SET UP THE ROAD HOME (HOMELESS) PROGRAM!!!!! SHE (The Gov) created the recovery Program!! Your trying to shift blame Stephen and thats just WRONG! "The city of New Orleans had no game plan to connect the Dots" WHOS FAULT IS? If your the mayor of a city that EVERY YEAR has the potential to be wiped from the face of the earth by hurricanes, AND SINCE N.O. didn't have a PLAN its ultimately THE MAYOR/ CITY GOVERNMENTS FAULT! NOT the Fault of the the Governor (Yes I am defending Blanco on that one) Federal Government. "New Orleans the beggar city asking for its FAIR SHARE?" Bull asking for more than its share and crying when it wants more! Tell me that "Katrina" Mary Landrieu and "Crazy" Kathleen Blanco haven't been the leading beggars for the state when we have a HUGE SURPLUS here at home! "...Hoping big Business will see that the jewel of America (GARBAGE) needs plenty of shine (Money) big Ideas and yes Money"Amazing how you can say N.O. needs money twice in one sentence and yet not say it. Theres N.O. with its hand out wanting to get money but willing to give NOTHING in return! ".. he (Nagin) has always been a Beacon of hope" REALLY was that when he was screaming like a spoiled child that every Grayhound and Trailways bus should come to N.O. to pick up his lost lil lambs and take them to safety? When there were school buses sitting EVEN THOUGH during any election in N.O those buses would have rolled through the 5th and 9th taking the people to vote? Or was that when he was leading the "Oprah" around telling her lil children were dying because of Bush? (That was a Lie) Truth was he and Blanco that told the National Guard NOT to come into the city at that time! Or maybe it was when he was talking about 10,000 body bags (or was it 100,000?) BEACON OF HOPE! MY AUNT FANNY!!! I think your drinking his Koolaide! "...A man that preservered.. was a good steward..." ARE YOU WRITING his Bio Stephen or his Gubenatoral campaign commercials? man who Preservered? GAG!! yeah he was really suffering during Katrina! in a 5 star hotel while the ones who REALLY Perservered were in the Super Dome or in the Community Center or on the roofs of their houses! A GOOD STEWARD PLEASE GAWD!!! Where was the PLAN if he was REALLY A GOOD STEWARD there would have been a PLAN! he had none therefore HE NAGIN IS responsible for every DEATH in N.O. Stephen, MOSES DID see the Promised land STEPHEN! He was taken to a mountain top and allow to see what it looked like but was told that he would not venture in. RE-READ Exodus my friend. "...begging for help which has come but not as promised" ANOTHER PLEA FOR MONEY! sounds like you want everyone to believe that N.O was the only city in the State that was DEVASTATED by Katrina it wasn't! N.O. has to SHARE!!! with everyone else in the state!!! New Orleans is a city with so much hope" ok "It can't be the city with crime, social needs poor schools" WHO LEAD N.O. PRIOR TO KATRINA Stephen? I belive that was Mayor Nagin! You make it sound like EVIL Mayor George Bush was running N.O. before Ray "The Messiah" Nagin came to save the day AFTER KATRINA! WRONG He ran the city, and he ran it into the ground. The schools were awful BEFORE KATRINA the Social needs were there BEFORE KATRINA, THE CRIME was there BEFORE KATRINA! He CLAIMS Deaths are up 47% ITS CALLED CRIME MR MAYOR! Its back and you refuse to recognize it for what it is! "Mayor Nagin needs more help...." Another attempt to tell all of us that everyone else has to pay, Miracle in Canal ST PLEASE!!!!!! WHAT A CROC! "The Germans got the Marshall plan..." It got the Marshall Plan because we bombed the boogers out of them and they had NOTHING! N.O. is getting federal Money! Too bad Blanco and Nagin have Mismanaged it to the tune of BILLIONS. "A pittance?... a few Coins..." thats what you call the BILLIONS Louisiana had recieved WOW you are a BIG GOVERNMENT LIBERAL! I to believe that NO can/SHOULD be saved but what needs to happen is that LOUISIANA needs to tell everyone on WELFARE and FOOD STAMPS that can work that they will NOT get paid any benefit until they report to work in N.O. to clean it up rebuild it, YOU DON'T WORK you DON"T EAT!! And then those folks The ones who did work, should be given first shot at moving to the Cresent City before the former now NON RESIDENTS who can come back and work to rebuild but can't/won't try to move in after the clean up. (City should confiscate any abandoned property not claimed/ touched in the last 1 year.) lets see it that gets the citizens of N.O. back home!
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 5/31/2007
Pam, Nagin isn't the first to ignore the contributions of the Republican members of the Louisiana Delegation. That distinction belongs to the Senior Senator Mary Landrieu. It still makes me livid that the People of Louisiana believe that it was Mary Landrieu who got a bigger share of the oil revenue. That bill was passed by a Republican majority. Landrieu is loud and obnoxious. Vitter and Jindal are hard working and quiet in their approach. They have done an excellent job for the state
Written by Sharon
on 5/31/2007
Pleases read the top article in today's Metro section of the TP. It is entitled "Council grades
N.O. on business". In the same way that Stacy Head says that New Orleans business owners
give the city "a grade of F minus in responding to their complaints and meeting their needs and
in the same way that Shelley Midura and Arnie Fielkow make some very pertinent points on
Nagin's administartion's inability to promote our economic development, we could give
the same evaluation of Nagin's State of the City. He also deserves an F minus in his lack
of understanding of the Criminal Justice System. When he referred to last weekend's rash of
murders as a blip and when he acknowledged the local federal authorities in general but not
by their proper names and when he did not mention David Vitter and Bobby Jindal as part of
the Members of Congress he complimented for helping New Orleans in our hour of need, I
knew, once more, that we made a huge mistake in re-electing Nagin. I am very glad I was
not at the WWII Museum. It would have been impossible for me to stand up and cheer.
Any gains we have made in this city is due to the efforts of concerned citizens - the Mayor might as well have been AWAL like he was during Katrina.
Written by Pam
on 5/31/2007
Steve........no plan, no $$$$$$$$. If you will look no further that the MS Gulf Coast, you will see a plan in motion. Also, many people (with clear ability to reason) will not embrace / invest into an existence in real estate under sea level. Another little hill to climb. What can I say? The Feds, nor anybody else, will be running toward N.O. with a vast array of 'greenbacks' till there is some guarantee the Wel-fare state will not return (at least as big as it was). Another item is Crime. Do you honestly think the U.S taxpayers wants to pump massive amts. of Fed $$$$$$$ into the murder capitol of the nation? Gotta have guarantees how the bucks will be spent. God only knows where the Fed. Dollars granted to the N.O. Levee Board went after it left the capitol?! Damn sho didn't go to reinforce the Levees. So many questions must be answered fore the purse snaps open. One would think a plan would have been forthcoming out of Red Stick by now.....or, is this just another example of Democratic 'getcha-gotcha' Infighting??????
Written by JH
on 5/31/2007
Good Grief. New Orleans as Beggar?? Funds not sent?? When you ask for Federal Dollars/Taxpayer Dollars, there needs to be a plan at least. What do you expect? Just send us the money and we will decide how best to spend it later. With the fraud that has taken place and documented, like that is going to happen. At least, I hope not. The fact that Blanco has not done more to bring New Orleans the help it needs is nothing short of irresponsible. Her dislike for Nagin and visa versa should not stand in the way of doing "whatever it takes" to get a plan for New Orleans submitted. Getting it approved is another matter. The taxpayers nationwide have already said to their representatives that NO needs to be smaller and stronger. That it should NOT be rebuilt as it was. New Orleans residents seem to want nothing less than a return to the projects. Blanco should have kept the process going. Unless Nagin and other city and state leaders "get off their rears", New Orleans has no future.
Written by
on 5/31/2007
Stephen:
It is the "Promised Land", not the Promise Land.
And the button to click at the bottom reads:
"Buzz Rigth Back"
It should read:
"Buzz Right Back"
Your spellchecking pal,
Collins
To
Buzz Right Back on this article