Boutique city......

A boutique city is the term being tossed about the most when talking about the *new* New Orleans. How odd to think about New Orleans as 'trendy'. How boring.

A couple of remarks that keep replaying in my mind:

The big oil companies have ravished our coasts for years.

We've destroyed the system that created the land by leeveeing the river.

Hummmm....

And, you know, I don't think courts in New Orleans have been up and running yet. Are people just sitting there waiting for their trials?


I know events have a shelf life, but.. 1062 Louisiana deaths related to Katrina as of this week.

Would you repeat that, Jeb......

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/nation/12987281.htm


The story in the link above is titled, "Jeb Bush takes aim at Louisiana's hurricane effort" We've been discussing it for a couple of days down here. You may find it interesting reading.


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The following link will tell what ended up happening: Glad you had it covered, dude.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9823799/



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Please don't think that I'm sitting here gloating. I wish he HAD had it covered. I just don't know what he hoped to gain with his pre-Wilma remarks about Louisiana. No use kicking someone who's pretty much down for the count. When we hear remarks like that all we can do is hang our heads a little lower. In this time of need, our state agencies are looking at reduced work weeks to try and head off layoffs. We can't pay our bills in this state. We've lost the Sugar Bowl, the Bayou Classic, Super Bowls, tourism, conventions, pro football and basketball revenues.... We've lost a whole parish.

I don't think Jeb Bush is an evil man. I do think his remarks were, at best, stupid. He just doesn't get it. The system didn't work much better in Florida than it did in Louisiana, so....maybe it's not just us poor laughable people over here in Louisiana -- always at the bottom of lists (that matter). Maybe we're actually teaching others something worthwhile this time. Teaching people that you can only really count on yourselves, so be prepared, have a plan, not just water and food but actual phyical destinations to go to. Think and plan, now, before something were to happen. How would you get to your children, husband, wife if separated. What would you grab to take with you if you only had five minutes. Make certain you are fully insured. When real disaster hits, it could very well be months or years, not days or weeks, before you could reclaim your life. ....If at all.

For a view point from someone who does get it, try the link below. Warning....it's not pretty, but it's real. If it embarrassed you seeing the poverty and ignorance in New Orleans during Katrina, you might want to skip this one.


http://operationeden.blogspot.com

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The '60's......

Ah, the 1960's! I remember them well -- at least *parts* of them. LOL! I came of age during the '60's. In Birmingham, Alabama. The death Monday of a strong woman has taken me back to 1960's B'ham, AL. Memories are flooding in and it seems that every way I turn something else reminds me of that time and place.

Rosa Parks died Monday. The Mother of the Civil Rights Movement, a Civil Rights Pioneer -- whatever title you wish to bestow on her. I think of her as a strong woman....one of most respectful things I can say/think of a woman. ....Something I strive to become. A strong woman.

I've heard Mrs. Parks' story told different ways. One version, that she was simply a tired lady coming home after a long work day who decided not to give up her seat to a white man. Just decided not to do it on that particular day. Another version, that she had been active in human rights before 'the bus incident'. Whichever is true, it was a courageous thing to do -- refusing to give up her seat on the bus AND working in the Civil Rights Movement at that time and in that place.

Being from B'ham can be a burden. Cities have identies that define those who live in them. What's one of the first things you ask someone you've just met? "Where are you from." ....Right? Somehow where a person's from supposedly tells us something about that person. That's why when I'm asked that question I find myself giving a two-part answer, "I'm from B'ham, AL and....I'm sorry about all that happened there." Even after saying that I feel as if I'll need to prove *something* to them. But, hey, it could be worse. I once taught with a lady from Japan. When she moved to a large northern city at the age of seven, she was made to stand by her desk in class and take responsibility for WWII. At least now I can dodge my question and say I'm from Louisiana. But that still requires a two-part answer since I feel I should end THAT admission with a laugh....

Sheesh! Maybe what my Japanese friend's teacher was having her do wasn't what my friend felt it was. Maybe people aren't judging me as I feel they are. But, it sure feels that way. We pay for our past, and for our cities' pasts.

All this brings me to what happend at LSU's football game Saturday, something that surprised just about everyone. ....I'm not talking about us beating Auburn, which we did, :) I'm talking about the confederate flags that are showing up on tailgating RVs. Even though the flags are in purple and gold (school colors) it's not sitting well with many black students on campus. And they let their feelings be know by staging a march before the football game. It's been the talk of the town this week. And it's been interesting to listen to.

I'm pretty proud of us so far. Oh, sure, there are still those nutjobs who spout the party line (on both sides), but there have been some interesting tidbits too. I think people are listening to each other. Something I've learned (I've googled it and it seems true) is that the confederate battle flag is a symbol of rebellion around the world. It flew when the Berlin Wall fell and when Lithuania threw off communism. Supposedly it was flown by French resistors during WWII, and in other instances that I don't remember because I was too busy making coffee while they were talking about them.... I also know that it wasn't the confederate flag that flew over slave ships and that most of us who respect that flag never had ancestors wealthy enough to own slaves.

But....I also know too much of the history of bad men and women who honored that flag too. So just as I'll keep saying, "I'm from B'ham, and I'm sorry for all that happened there." I'll also not display the confederate flag because it hurts people. I'll do this even though I think B'ham is a beautiful place and I'm proud to be from there -- and am considering moving back. I'll do this even though I think the confederate flag stood for some noble ideals. But....things have become so muddied that, for the time being, it's difficult to see clearly. It's good that, today, in Baton Rouge, there was some real communication between the races.

THAT may be the most fitting tribute to a strong woman, Rosa Parks.

Don't bother calling me tomorrow......

'Cause I'm going to be quite busy. Why, you ask? Because......it's the 3rd Saturday in October -- the day when boys become men! It is the....................... ALABAMA/TENN-A-DAMN-SEE FOOTBALL GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!

(OK, I know tomorrrow's tecnically the 4th Saturday, but I can't control *everything* ya know?? Sometimes it just happens that way. Traditionally it's the 3rd Sat.)

So....I've got my KENtucky whiskey (none of that Tennessee crap allowed in MY house!) at the ready. Actually, margaritas sound better right now. And maybe tamales and enchiladas.

BTW, have you heard the story about the husband and wife BAMA fans whose daughter planned her wedding on the day of the BAMA/Tenn game? Welllllll..mom and dad went to the game, missed the ceremony, but did manage to make the reception.

Reactions to this story vary. Some people think poorly of mom and dad, some shake their heads and chuckle, but a true BAMA fan sees it a tad bit differently. Upon hearing the story a true fan tends to place blame upon the daughter -- shown by the shaking of the head and uttering, "Bitch!". :) (This comes from Warren St. John's book "Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer" which I bought for my hubby last Christmas.)

....OK. OK. I don't think BAMA's really going to win this year given NCAA sanctions and all that unfair shit hardship brought about by rules infractions. But -- BAMA's close to being able to win, so close I can alllllllmost smell it. Maye next year.

And, (could the day be any more perfect?) LSU (where I got my paperwork) plays Auburn (the one school all thinking adults hate the most).

But, of course, we (LSU) have a new coach this year. And....he's a bit of a dufus, so I dunno....

Oh, merde, just go ahead and call me if you want to. I've about talked myself out of watching!



Wednesday, October 17, 2001The third Saturday in OctoberBy Beano CookSpecial to ESPN.com
If you are a fan of Tennessee or Alabama football there are two rules to live by: Don't get married on the third Saturday in October, and try not to die -- because in either case, the preacher might not show.

Second line, anyone?

How about some beignets or cafe au lait?

Well....you can have them because Cafe Du Monde opened back up yesterday!


Bienvenue en arrière, vieil ami !


Laissez les bons temps rouler !

Oh, when the Saints....

oh, when the Saints, oh, when the Saints go marching OUT! Lord how I want to be in that number when the Saints go marching OUT!

That's how we in Baton Rouge generally sing that little ditty. After *most* Saints games it's entertaining to listen to the local sports where (with Saints *highlights* being shown in the background) you're likely to hear shouted at the camera such things as -- WHAT A BUNCH OF LOSERS! ABYSMAL! PITIFUL! WHAT A BUNCH OF BUMS! ....Once a sports caster went so far as to demand money be returned to all who had paid to see such a sorry game.

OK, so we aren't very friendly to the NOLA Saints. ....But ya gotta admit, they are such losers that nobody seems to luv em except those in New Orleans. Most of the rest of us have lost patience with them. We tried to give them to Mississippi, but -- no deal. So why are we in LA so upset that they might not (most likely will not) be playing in the Dome again? After some soul-searching, I realized that, for me at least, it's not the Saints that I'm fed up with....it's Tom Benson, the owner. What a loser! What a bum! He wants to move the team to San Antonio?? Fine! Get the fuck out of the state and don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out! Best of luck!

So, here's to our love/hate relationship with the boys who wear the fleur-de-lis -- otherwise known as da Ain'ts Saints: Cha-ching! Bless you boys!

And, last but not least, "Vaya con Dios, Santos."

The Thin Veneer of Civilization......

Well, after the beating of the 64 yo man on Bourbon Street was captured on camera, I guess many people around the country feel about the New Orleans police force the same as many in Louisiana have felt about them for a long time -- God help me if a NO police officer pulls me over....

I know there are good upstanding officers down there who are working under unbelievable circumstances and it is a shame that their sacrifices are so overshadowed by the corrupt actions of their *brothers.* I don't know how widespread the corruption is or how deep it runs. I don't know where it began. I do know that at the time we were living there a strict residency requirement was instituted. You want to be a New Orleans police officer -- You live in Orleans Parish. Sounds good. But....good luck on finding a safe place to live in Orleans Parish on a policeman's salary. And Orleans Parish schools?!?! A majority of NO officers send their children, at additional expense, to schools other than the public schools.

There may, finally, be some long overdue, ugly, stunning (for some) indictments coming out of the Big Easy. Maybe. New Orleans is very image conscious -- gotta have those tourist $$$$. But I don't know if those who have been fighting positive change in NO can continue with their old hat tricks after all that's been seen. So, maybe, as much as I hate to say it, the best thing would be for all those cameras to stay in New Orleans and....keep rolling.

As if we haven't suffered enough......

It seems that we are now FRENCH!!!! ;)

....Does this mean we'll need a passport now?


"President Bush Sells Louisiana Back to the French"

(Photo)President Bush and a giddy Jacques Chirac shake hands on the deal.

BATON ROUGE, LA. - The White House announced today that President Bush has successfully sold the state of Louisiana back to the French at more than double its original selling price of $11,250,000.

“This is a bold step forward for America,” said Bush. “And America will be stronger and better as a result. I stand here today in unity with French Prime Minister Jack Sharaq, who was so kind to accept my offer of Louisiana in exchange for 25 million dollars cash.”

The state, ravaged by Hurricane Katrina, will cost hundreds of billions of dollars to rebuild.

“Jack understands full well that this one’s a ‘fixer upper,’” said Bush. “He and the French people are quite prepared to pump out all that water, and make Louisiana a decent place to live again. And they’ve got a lot of work to do. But Jack’s assured me, if it’s not right, they’re going to fix it.”

The move has been met with incredulity from the beleaguered residents of Louisiana.
“Shuba-pie!” said New Orleans resident Willis Babineaux. “Frafer-perly yum kom drabby sham!”

However, President Bush’s decision has been widely lauded by Republicans.
“This is an unexpected but brilliant move by the President,” said Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. “Instead of spending billions and billions, and billions of dollars rebuilding the state of Louisiana, we’ve just made 25 million dollars in pure profit.”

“This is indeed a smart move,” commented Fox News analyst Brit Hume. “Not only have we stopped the flooding in our own budget, we’ve made money on the deal. Plus, when the god-awful French are done fixing it up, we can easily invade and take it back again.”

The money gained from ‘T’he Louisiana Refund’ is expected to be immediately pumped into the rebuilding of Iraq.

Wonder how the rest of the country is feeling now that they’re getting to know Louisiana a little better. Where else in these United States can you go through a drive through and pick up Daquiris!

Flip flops, sandals and slippers......

That's what hundreds of children have been wearing to school. Hundreds of children who have lost just about everything and are now trying to learn to live in a new city. Now that a cool front has actually made its way down here for the next couple of days (thank you God!) we are realizing that these children need real shoes. Isn't it always that way--you know it's going to rain in the morning yet wait to look for your umbrella as you're heading out the door. ....A day late a dollar short.

Anywho....this city has been shoe crazy today. And thanks to many good-hearted people, there will be many warm little feet over the weekend. But....realizing that this 'shoe thing' caught us by surprise, I've been thinking. Christmas is just around the corner, and unfortunately we're hearing that around Christmas, bills will begin becoming due once again for those who have been displaced --mortgages, car payments, insurances, all the payments we normally have to make.

I don't know what's going to happen then because these payments have only been 'postponed' not 'forgiven', meaning that all of a sudden, not one, but two or three payments are due on the house, car, etc. I'm sure people KNOW this, but knowing something and dealing with it are two different things. I imagine there is going to be some kind of plan to help people deal with this. I mean, if you haven't worked since mid-August, how can you catch up with all these payments?? ....It makes my stomach hurt to think about it.

But back to my point (before I forget I had one). I can't do much in the face of all this, but I can try and make Christmas better for some of these kids--and hopefully in a round about way relieve a little bit of pressure on their parents for a brief time. I know at face value it seems superficial to be thinking about Christmas and gifts and such. But whether we like it or not Christmas is gonna come and children are going to be children and want, well....want everything. And our society is such that any parent is going to feel bad if they can't see a smile on their kids' faces Christmas morning. And....damn it, that's all I can think of to do right now.

Oh, in case anyone is worried about frost bitten toes on little feet. Not to worry. It's only getting in the 50's at night--for two nights. But to see us down here, you'd think the first snow was comin'. I'll bet that tomorrow you'll see people, many people, walking around in sweaters..sweating profusely.

Even though the official search for bodies has ended, people who were finally allowed to go home this week are finding bodies of their loved ones, so the official count of the dead in Louisiana as of tonight is 1003.

Making groceries......

That's what they call it in New Orleans. So..last night, as I was..making groceries..I noticed how the dance has changed. It was so different in WalMart: the sight of so many little old men out on their own (I don't remember seeing this when we lived in NO) wandering around as if lost, the sound of a man shouting in his, um, distinctive New Orlean's accent that he wanted 'buddah, buddah' not margarine. Even the ways I had to move was different. I couldn't find a rhythm. I just lurched through the store. Odd.

And as I was leaving the store I overheard someone say, "Tell your mama and them, Hi." Perfect! I could almost, allllmost, close my eyes and hear that wonderful music from way down yonder again. How I hope to be able to hear it again SOON.

All that was needed was for someone to amble up to me and bet me five dollars that they could....tell me where I got my shoes.