Irish Bayou, Louisiana
Coin du Lestin subdivision, Slidell
Coin du Lestin subdivision, Slidell
Slidell VoTech
Carr Drive, Slidell
Laurent Road, Slidell
Bayou Liberty Road, Slidell
Bayou Liberty Road, Slidell
The grounds of St. Genevieve, Slidell
Monday, March 19, 2007
The slow road to recovery
Around this area, recovery spans from non existent to "wow". Here's what we saw over the weekend
Irish Bayou, Louisiana
Coin du Lestin subdivision, Slidell
Coin du Lestin subdivision, Slidell
Slidell VoTech
Carr Drive, Slidell
Laurent Road, Slidell
Bayou Liberty Road, Slidell
Bayou Liberty Road, Slidell
The grounds of St. Genevieve, Slidell
Irish Bayou, Louisiana
Coin du Lestin subdivision, Slidell
Coin du Lestin subdivision, Slidell
Slidell VoTech
Carr Drive, Slidell
Laurent Road, Slidell
Bayou Liberty Road, Slidell
Bayou Liberty Road, Slidell
The grounds of St. Genevieve, Slidell
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Why I love where I live
click on photos for full size versions
Taken at 7:30 a.m. March 17, 2007
Bayou Liberty
Taken at 7:30 a.m. March 17, 2007
Bayou Liberty
Friday, March 16, 2007
A lawyer to love
The NYT has an article on Pascagoula lawyer Richard F. Scruggs who isn't exactly loved by insurance companies.
Mr. Scruggs, 60, slim, often folksy and smooth as molasses in court, is using techniques that he honed in his earlier legal fights. He is arguing now, as he did before to such good effect, that he is fighting for the little guy who cannot stand up alone to big anonymous companies.
“These are not just legal wars,” Mr. Scruggs said in a recent interview. “They are public relations and political wars.”
The insurance companies counter that Mr. Scruggs has portrayed them unfairly and misleadingly.
“Mr. Scruggs has taken a tiny portion of the claims associated with Katrina and tried to paint the entire insurance industry with a brush of malfeasance,” said Robert P. Hartwig, president and chief economist of the Insurance Information Institute. “And that is an entirely incorrect characterization.”
Mr. Scruggs, 60, slim, often folksy and smooth as molasses in court, is using techniques that he honed in his earlier legal fights. He is arguing now, as he did before to such good effect, that he is fighting for the little guy who cannot stand up alone to big anonymous companies.
“These are not just legal wars,” Mr. Scruggs said in a recent interview. “They are public relations and political wars.”
The insurance companies counter that Mr. Scruggs has portrayed them unfairly and misleadingly.
“Mr. Scruggs has taken a tiny portion of the claims associated with Katrina and tried to paint the entire insurance industry with a brush of malfeasance,” said Robert P. Hartwig, president and chief economist of the Insurance Information Institute. “And that is an entirely incorrect characterization.”
random photos
A dumpster lies in the marsh off Carr Drive in Slidell (3-9-2007)
A heron looks for lunch at the Northlake Nature Center in Mandeville. (3-9-2007)
A new house goes up on Bayou Liberty Road (3-9-2007)
The bulkhead construction at the Bayou Liberty Marina is progressing
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Why in the world.......
For all of you people out there who question why in the world would anyone want to live in New Orleans, read Dambala's post and the comments.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Books in need of a school
Got this in my email tonite:
Dear Judy,
My class (1st. grade) is collecting books to send to an elementary school that was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. We would like to contact a school that is really in need of books for their library or simply classroom teachers that lost their materials.
I am unfamiliar with the area, so I am not sure of the names of the local schools. I keep tring to search the web, but I am not very lucky. I have e-mailed a couple of principals and receive little or no response.
It is very important that we donate to a school that is in real need. My students have worked very hard. They have collected their bonus points all year from our book orders and have purchased the entire set of Junie B. Jones books.
Our project is called Operation Storybook. They even have a motto: Storybooks across the miles. Storybooks for every child. If this goes well I hope to make it a yearly project.
Thank you for your quick response. I hope that you will be able to help us.
Barbara Sovereign
1st. Grade
Barnard Elementary School
Tecumseh, Okla.
Dear Judy,
My class (1st. grade) is collecting books to send to an elementary school that was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. We would like to contact a school that is really in need of books for their library or simply classroom teachers that lost their materials.
I am unfamiliar with the area, so I am not sure of the names of the local schools. I keep tring to search the web, but I am not very lucky. I have e-mailed a couple of principals and receive little or no response.
It is very important that we donate to a school that is in real need. My students have worked very hard. They have collected their bonus points all year from our book orders and have purchased the entire set of Junie B. Jones books.
Our project is called Operation Storybook. They even have a motto: Storybooks across the miles. Storybooks for every child. If this goes well I hope to make it a yearly project.
Thank you for your quick response. I hope that you will be able to help us.
Barbara Sovereign
1st. Grade
Barnard Elementary School
Tecumseh, Okla.
Fresh Scuzzbuckets of the Week
No shortage of scumbags lately, is there?
From today's TP:
Three St. Pat's float riders are arrested
They're accused of hurling beads, insult at black man at parade
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
By Michelle Hunter
Three white riders in the Metairie St. Patrick's Day parade were pulled from a float and arrested Sunday after they were accused of hurling packs of beads and a racial slur at an African-American in the crowd, hitting him and others -- including a baby -- in the head, according to a Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office arrest report.
Brandon Burke, 19, and Thomas Doussan, 18, both of Metairie, and Colby Painter, 19, of Kenner, were each booked with three counts of aggravated battery, according to Col. John Fortunato, spokesman for the Sheriff's Office.
Injured were a 27-year-old black man who had swelling around the middle of his face, an 11-year-old white boy whose face was visibly reddened, a 25-year-old white woman who had bruising and swelling around her left eye, and an infant whose injuries were not available Monday, according to Fortunato.
Allegedly, the 27 year old threw a beer can into the float when he didn't get a stuffed animal for his daughter.
What a bunch of idiots.
From today's TP:
Three St. Pat's float riders are arrested
They're accused of hurling beads, insult at black man at parade
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
By Michelle Hunter
Three white riders in the Metairie St. Patrick's Day parade were pulled from a float and arrested Sunday after they were accused of hurling packs of beads and a racial slur at an African-American in the crowd, hitting him and others -- including a baby -- in the head, according to a Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office arrest report.
Brandon Burke, 19, and Thomas Doussan, 18, both of Metairie, and Colby Painter, 19, of Kenner, were each booked with three counts of aggravated battery, according to Col. John Fortunato, spokesman for the Sheriff's Office.
Injured were a 27-year-old black man who had swelling around the middle of his face, an 11-year-old white boy whose face was visibly reddened, a 25-year-old white woman who had bruising and swelling around her left eye, and an infant whose injuries were not available Monday, according to Fortunato.
Allegedly, the 27 year old threw a beer can into the float when he didn't get a stuffed animal for his daughter.
What a bunch of idiots.
Katrina Pictoral Essay
Photographic Realities dot com put together a pictoral essay in September 2005 from the 9th Ward, Irish Bayou, Waveland, Biloxi & Gulport.
Worth the visit.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Power Access Culture
Dambala ponders How realistic is the notion of secession?........ I can envision hundreds of shrimp boats forming an armada in the Mississippi to block all traffic up and down stream. Although we couldn't really stage a Boston Tea Party....dumping oil and coal into the Mississippi probably isn't a good idea. The blockade is possible though....call it "The Pirogue Armada".....we could run steel cables across the river and back it up with shrimp boats and pirogues.
It's a great read.
Katrina Pictures
An excellent series of full panoramic photos of the Katrina disaster made by photographer Edward Fink shortly after Katrina from a helicopter 700 feet in the air. This site now includes photography showing the recovery in the Gulf Coast area.
The series was first seen on the Washington Post website and his website bigeyeinthesky.com, which has the whole series, is linked here. The photos were shot several weeks after Katrina before any debris was removed.
Scuzzbuckets of the week
State farm CEO gets 82% raise after posting "a record profit" in 2006.
Greedy Bastards.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ed Rust Jr. earned $11.66 million in 2006, including a base salary of $1.77 million and results-based bonus of $9.89 million, spokesman Dick Luedke said Friday. Rust made $6.4 million in 2005 and $5.5 million in 2004.
Call me what you want, but after seeing what insurance companies like State Farm have done to residents of the Gulf Coast after these people had experienced loss of everything makes me feel like spitting at them.
These bastards try every trick in the book to avoid paying claims after gladly taking premiums for decades. They decide to completely
stop offering coverage to whole swaths of land because of post-Katrina claims.
And they've been doing it for years.
Road home for Ray
Brad, Angie say they'll take Ray:
New Orleanians breathed a collective sigh of relief last week, as celebrity super-couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie confirmed they are in late-stage negotiations to adopt New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin.
The couple had been frustrated in their recent attempts to adopt a Vietnamese child, due to international legal restrictions preventing unmarried parents from adopting. No such restriction applies to Nagin, according to Ann S. Williamson, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Social Services.
Married, unmarried, gay, straight, space aliens, hell. They can have him, Williamson said at a joint news conference with Jolie, Pitt, and a scowling, towel-swaddled Nagin.
Although it is hoped that simply removing Nagin - or "Baby Ray," as Jolie has nicknamed him from City Hall and remanding him to a nursery in the couple's renovated French Quarter mansion will dramatically accelerate the city's recovery, residents have not given up hope that the couple will also adopt District Attorney Eddie Jordan and New Orleans Police Superintendent Warren Riley.
Well, you know, those two do tend to fight a lot, and they're sneaky, Jolie said. "Let's see if we can get this one to play nice first."
Gov. Kathleen Blanco announced that citizens can apply for adoption by Pitt and Jolie through the governor's new "Road to Someone Else's Home Plan." Delays began immediately, and the program is expected to make its first awards no later than 2013.
New Orleanians breathed a collective sigh of relief last week, as celebrity super-couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie confirmed they are in late-stage negotiations to adopt New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin.
The couple had been frustrated in their recent attempts to adopt a Vietnamese child, due to international legal restrictions preventing unmarried parents from adopting. No such restriction applies to Nagin, according to Ann S. Williamson, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Social Services.
Married, unmarried, gay, straight, space aliens, hell. They can have him, Williamson said at a joint news conference with Jolie, Pitt, and a scowling, towel-swaddled Nagin.
Although it is hoped that simply removing Nagin - or "Baby Ray," as Jolie has nicknamed him from City Hall and remanding him to a nursery in the couple's renovated French Quarter mansion will dramatically accelerate the city's recovery, residents have not given up hope that the couple will also adopt District Attorney Eddie Jordan and New Orleans Police Superintendent Warren Riley.
Well, you know, those two do tend to fight a lot, and they're sneaky, Jolie said. "Let's see if we can get this one to play nice first."
Gov. Kathleen Blanco announced that citizens can apply for adoption by Pitt and Jolie through the governor's new "Road to Someone Else's Home Plan." Delays began immediately, and the program is expected to make its first awards no later than 2013.
Friday, March 09, 2007
2007 JAZZ FEST LINEUP
"ReBirth" Philip Frazier by Terrance Osborne
day-by-day lineup of performers at this year's jazz fest.
I can hardly wait!
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Don't Run, Kathleen!
Scott Jordan of the Independent writes an open letter to Kathleen Blanco
Don't Run
Some excerpts
In the face of the tragedy and hardship that came out of Katrina and Rita, Louisiana residents and voters have become involved in the political process like never before. We are tired of Louisiana’s recovery languishing in bureaucratic red tape and ineffective policies. What was once a wink-and-a-nudge Louisiana tradition — laughing and groaning at colorful or corrupt politicians — is no longer funny, and never will be again. .....Before your poll numbers started dropping precipitously, you realized you had one chance — a possible golden ticket, even — to re-election.....The Road Home Program.....You staked out your turf in dramatic fashion, making it unequivocally clear that the program’s failure or success didn’t depend on New Orleans legislators or the federal government. This was your Road Home program, your solution....... Let’s not mince words: The Road Home has been a disaster......Time is of the essence. The longer you stay in the race, the longer it will take for other candidates to declare their candidacy and present their platform to the public..... That’s why I’m asking you not to run for re-election.
I hope she takes his advice.
Don't Run
Some excerpts
In the face of the tragedy and hardship that came out of Katrina and Rita, Louisiana residents and voters have become involved in the political process like never before. We are tired of Louisiana’s recovery languishing in bureaucratic red tape and ineffective policies. What was once a wink-and-a-nudge Louisiana tradition — laughing and groaning at colorful or corrupt politicians — is no longer funny, and never will be again. .....Before your poll numbers started dropping precipitously, you realized you had one chance — a possible golden ticket, even — to re-election.....The Road Home Program.....You staked out your turf in dramatic fashion, making it unequivocally clear that the program’s failure or success didn’t depend on New Orleans legislators or the federal government. This was your Road Home program, your solution....... Let’s not mince words: The Road Home has been a disaster......Time is of the essence. The longer you stay in the race, the longer it will take for other candidates to declare their candidacy and present their platform to the public..... That’s why I’m asking you not to run for re-election.
I hope she takes his advice.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Saving Louisiana
Click here for a short audio slideshow about Louisiana's quickly disappearing coastline
click on photo for full-size version
Experts agree we have 10 years or less to act before the loss becomes irreversible.
There is hope. State officials expect to get a jump-start on building restoration projects as early as this August, thanks to $523 million in offshore revenues provided under the federal Coastal Impact Assistance Program.
A permanent dedication of offshore revenue to the state will kick in only $20 million a year until 2017, after which the state should be collecting a minimum of $670 million a year, Coffee said. But the state can borrow against that revenue stream immediately.
And that almost certainly will be required, because by 2017 the coastal erosion problem likely will have become irreversible. By issuing bonds backed by future offshore revenue, the state will gain the flexibility not only to speed up construction but to launch projects not authorized by Congress.
The Chicory has some images from google showing Louisiana's land loss here
Kudo's to the Times Picayune for this special series on coastal restoration.
click on photo for full-size version
Experts agree we have 10 years or less to act before the loss becomes irreversible.
There is hope. State officials expect to get a jump-start on building restoration projects as early as this August, thanks to $523 million in offshore revenues provided under the federal Coastal Impact Assistance Program.
A permanent dedication of offshore revenue to the state will kick in only $20 million a year until 2017, after which the state should be collecting a minimum of $670 million a year, Coffee said. But the state can borrow against that revenue stream immediately.
And that almost certainly will be required, because by 2017 the coastal erosion problem likely will have become irreversible. By issuing bonds backed by future offshore revenue, the state will gain the flexibility not only to speed up construction but to launch projects not authorized by Congress.
The Chicory has some images from google showing Louisiana's land loss here
Kudo's to the Times Picayune for this special series on coastal restoration.
David vs Goliath
Michael Homan has been fighting Allstate since Katrina devastated his home. Today he testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The first panel of speakers includes senators such as Mary Landrieu and Trent Lott.
From his website I will be speaking in the second panel, along with Bob Hunter, the president of the Consumer Federation of America. We'll both be arguing in favor of Leahy's Insurance Industry Competition Act. Two speakers in my panel will be arguing against the act: Marc Racicot, president of the American Insurance Association, and Susan Voss, speaking on behalf of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The whole thing should be over in an hour I'm told.
The link above details his experience in fighting Allstate for his insurance claim that they refuse to pay. A David against Goliath tale.
Thank you, Mr. Homan.
From his website I will be speaking in the second panel, along with Bob Hunter, the president of the Consumer Federation of America. We'll both be arguing in favor of Leahy's Insurance Industry Competition Act. Two speakers in my panel will be arguing against the act: Marc Racicot, president of the American Insurance Association, and Susan Voss, speaking on behalf of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The whole thing should be over in an hour I'm told.
The link above details his experience in fighting Allstate for his insurance claim that they refuse to pay. A David against Goliath tale.
Thank you, Mr. Homan.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Meet the victims
dapoblog has posted a list of the murders in 2007. This list comprises names and details of the crimes (links to the police reports). Excellent research.
I agree with Traveling Mermaid that all the murder victims should be recognized....they all had family, friends and lives. Even the criminals....who knows why they turned to a life of crime? One factor is the failure of our society and our community. The failure of a strong family structure by which I don't necessarily mean blood family. We need these murders in our faces everyday to motivate us all to do what we can to break this vicious cycle of violence. The big question is, what can we do as a community to turn it around?
they blew up the levees
I got this email last night:
It never ceases to amaze me how people like you can be so opinionated without all the facts. My family was displaced by Katrina. My father used to live in Slidell and my Sister is in the process of moving now.
All of my relatives, whom by the way, live are living and did live in New Orleans and Slidell agree, there was a suspicious explosion in the area of the levy before the flooding began and AFTER Katrina had already passed through. It was blown by the Army Core of Engineers.
Katrina was devastating in its own way but did not cause the damage the mainstream news wants America and the world to believe.
I do not know Mr. Nagin and most probably will never meet him but, I would like to see YOU deal with a situation like this and come out looking good when ALL the help that is normally available was cut off by the Federal Government during Katrina. The aftermath of this tragedy is that, it was ALL created at the top. From my point of view, it was time to get those poor people out of there.
Nagin my not be a genius but do you think Mr. Bush is?
If you ran for Mayor, I would vote for you just to see how well you will do.
I cannot believe how many ignorant people are running around out there. I bet this assclown hasn't even been down here since the storm.
It never ceases to amaze me how people like you can be so opinionated without all the facts. My family was displaced by Katrina. My father used to live in Slidell and my Sister is in the process of moving now.
All of my relatives, whom by the way, live are living and did live in New Orleans and Slidell agree, there was a suspicious explosion in the area of the levy before the flooding began and AFTER Katrina had already passed through. It was blown by the Army Core of Engineers.
Katrina was devastating in its own way but did not cause the damage the mainstream news wants America and the world to believe.
I do not know Mr. Nagin and most probably will never meet him but, I would like to see YOU deal with a situation like this and come out looking good when ALL the help that is normally available was cut off by the Federal Government during Katrina. The aftermath of this tragedy is that, it was ALL created at the top. From my point of view, it was time to get those poor people out of there.
Nagin my not be a genius but do you think Mr. Bush is?
If you ran for Mayor, I would vote for you just to see how well you will do.
I cannot believe how many ignorant people are running around out there. I bet this assclown hasn't even been down here since the storm.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Seeing is believing
Ronald Shamlaty Jr. traveled to New Orleans this week by way of the Biloxi airport. As he moved westward in his rental car from Mississippi to Slidell to eastern New Orleans, he was arrested by the devastation that suddenly came into view from the interstate.
"as we went over the bridges," ....referring to the Twin Spans, "we noticed apartment complexes just destroyed, their windows all boarded up. What really got us -- we got that frog-in-the-throat thing -- was seeing all the trailers still there a year and a half later."
This is a statement from a conventioneer passing through this week; 18 months post Katrina.
To all of you folks out there who think things are just "hunky dorey" down here, either plan a trip down here or check out the area bloggers at this site
This is a picture taken on February 28th driving along Highway 11 in New Orleans East. Part of the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, these trees were laid down by the storm's winds. There are thousands of trees that look like this. They will never appear green again.
To get an idea of the strength of the storm surge look at this boat.
It rode over this levee, from right to left.
By the way, this boat is still sitting there.
Yes, it's been 18 months, but those of us who live here and see the remains every day know that this isn't something you just "get over".
Kelly Leahy has written about her trip thru New Orleans east here
Loki oh so eloquently discusses the fact that we had Mardi Gras and what this means to us down here Here's an excerpt:
We exist in a place where Katrina, the Federal Flood, and the ongoing trials infect every aspect of day to day life. Every interaction, every conversation, every walk down the block are tainted with the events of the past 18 months. In this sort of environment catharsis is essential. On Mardi Gras Day a pauper can be a prince, a prince can be a clown, and the clowns that, “govern,” us can be skewered with impunity. Every masker is able to leave behind the wrekage of their former home and cut loose in a collaborative satirization of the pain we are steeped in.
This is how we heal.
Mark Folse pens what Mardi Gras means to him here
If you want to see more of the storm's remnants, go here
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Naturally N'awlins
Craig Giesecke over at Metroblogging talks about his interesting week, from actually SEEING RAY NAGIN in public to his wacky, trash-can stealing neighbors.
Worth the read.
Worth the read.
Scuzzbucket Trio
Who
the fuck
cares
about these talentless, self-centered whores?
did you realize that the AP put a blackout on stories of little Paris?
A whole seven days.
Here's America's reaction
the fuck
cares
about these talentless, self-centered whores?
did you realize that the AP put a blackout on stories of little Paris?
A whole seven days.
Here's America's reaction
Taking a break from Katrina
My commute into N.O. east takes me thru Irish Bayou every day.
Sights like this
I admire the gumption of the folks of Irish Bayou for rebuilding bigger and better.
But it's nice to get away......even if it's only thru pictures.....
We took a vacation Thanksgiving week, 2004 on Dauphin Island, Alabama.
This was two months after Hurricane Ivan split the island in pieces, taking away the west end. Katrina finished it off. Thanks, Katrina.
Anyway, here are pictures that make me think back to better, simpler, more relaxing times.
click on pictures for full-size images
Sights like this
I admire the gumption of the folks of Irish Bayou for rebuilding bigger and better.
But it's nice to get away......even if it's only thru pictures.....
We took a vacation Thanksgiving week, 2004 on Dauphin Island, Alabama.
This was two months after Hurricane Ivan split the island in pieces, taking away the west end. Katrina finished it off. Thanks, Katrina.
Anyway, here are pictures that make me think back to better, simpler, more relaxing times.
click on pictures for full-size images
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Random Thoughts
Riley & Jordan on "same page" (just two different books) How long will this last?
Mother Nature may delay the next Shuttle Launch. Why couldn't these errant hail storms hit Hillary Clinton on the head and put her in a 45 year coma?
Would we really lose anything if Dick Cheney were killed in this rocket attack? I think not.
Nancy Pelosi and her ilk are just another bunch of lousy politicians
For the second year in a row college kids are coming to the Gulf Coast to help in the rebuilding process Thanks to all of you!!
Chicago not only has horrific fans and crappy weather, but crooked politicians ...... like us!!!
Even though I do most of my communication via email and epay, I will be one of the first people in line to buy a forever stamp.
The rest of the country must be moving faster than us ....Katrina "happened 2 1/2 years ago!!"
Mother Nature may delay the next Shuttle Launch. Why couldn't these errant hail storms hit Hillary Clinton on the head and put her in a 45 year coma?
Would we really lose anything if Dick Cheney were killed in this rocket attack? I think not.
Nancy Pelosi and her ilk are just another bunch of lousy politicians
For the second year in a row college kids are coming to the Gulf Coast to help in the rebuilding process Thanks to all of you!!
Chicago not only has horrific fans and crappy weather, but crooked politicians ...... like us!!!
Even though I do most of my communication via email and epay, I will be one of the first people in line to buy a forever stamp.
The rest of the country must be moving faster than us ....Katrina "happened 2 1/2 years ago!!"
Monday, February 26, 2007
Feels like spring
(click on photo for larger version)
Despite the damage brought by the storm, Bayou Liberty is still beautiful this time of year.
Taken February 15, 2007
While all you yankees were under lots of cold snow!!!
Yup, that's why we live here!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Sunday
Seen in Bayou Liberty, February 2007. (click on photos for larger sizes)
Nothing much happening. Well, yes a lot's been happening, but I just don't want to write about it at this time. So I leave you with a pretty site. Most folks won't consider this pretty, but in light of how things have looked since the storm, I think the fact that the swing is still there is a beautiful thing.
Well, there is something I want to write about, but not today....too many chores to be done.
An article about the historic Louisiana Forts in disrepair since the Storm
Fort Pike, eastern New Orleans
But that's for another time.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
St. Genevieve
I've noticed several hits on this blog with the search term "St. Genevieve" lately, so I decided to create a web page dedicated to the rebirth of the physical church in the Bayou Liberty area.here is the link. I will be updating this page as time goes on.
As usual, click on the small pictures to view full size.
The church has been completely destructed and a new one will be built on the same site, just 18 inches higher.
As usual, click on the small pictures to view full size.
The church has been completely destructed and a new one will be built on the same site, just 18 inches higher.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Mardi Gras
The experiences of Mardi Gras, told by local bloggers
Blogging New Orleans
Ashley Morris
Humid Haney
Pictures taken while riding in a float
Maitri's words and pictures
Oyster's blogs about New Orleans' contradictions (do you get it?)
Blogging New Orleans
Ashley Morris
Humid Haney
Pictures taken while riding in a float
Maitri's words and pictures
Oyster's blogs about New Orleans' contradictions (do you get it?)
Eddie Jordan
I don't live in NOLA, so I really can't speak from experience about the NOPD. However, the recent explosion in violent crimes tells me that it can't all be put on the NOPD.
Listening to the New Orleans City Council grill Warren Riley (NOPD) and Eddie Jordan (D.A.) on the radio earlier this week, I get the feeling the Jordan is inept and full of whining and excuses.
Now I'm no college educated PHD or anything, but I am a believer in my instincts and they tell me that Jordan is hiding something. Perhaps it's his ineptitude. I KNOW it's not his extreme dislike of Warren Riley.
Hell, just thing morning it was made public that Jordan's office decided not to go forward with prosecuting some little scumbag that has an extremely long arrest record . But he sure has time to go after a doctor and two nurses who stayed behind to be with patients during Katrina for murder even though the coroner found no evidence of homicide.
from the Times Picayune earlier this week:
During this week's City Council hearing, Council members were particularly interested in "701s," shorthand for Article 701 of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure. It states that no one can be held longer than 60 days on a felony arrest without an indictment. Prosecutors may refile charges against 701 suspects if they get complete police reports, but often 701 cases fall by the wayside.
In the eight months before Hurricane Katrina, the city released 187 people on a 701, including eight murder suspects, prosecutors' records show. In 2006, the number of releases soared to about 3,000. Last month alone, 580 people escaped legal custody of either jail or a bond obligation only because prosecutors couldn't pull together a case ahead of the deadline imposed by law.
Jordan put the blame for some 701 releases on a lack of lab-tested evidence and incomplete police reports. He said police use probable cause to make an arrest, a lesser standard than the beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard required for a conviction. The council asked Jordan why his office doesn't accept the results of field testing kits, used by officers to test for drugs. He said the field test is not admissible in court even though the federal government has used the field tests for nearly 20 years.
It just seems like the D.A.'s office is not doing their job. Perhaps I don't have all the background, but that is the way it seems to an outsider.
Here is a post from someone who does live and work in New Orleans regarding Mr. Jordan's performance.
Is there anyway that this elected official can be recalled?
There is a petition to "ask" Jordan to step down at the American Zombie website
Listening to the New Orleans City Council grill Warren Riley (NOPD) and Eddie Jordan (D.A.) on the radio earlier this week, I get the feeling the Jordan is inept and full of whining and excuses.
Now I'm no college educated PHD or anything, but I am a believer in my instincts and they tell me that Jordan is hiding something. Perhaps it's his ineptitude. I KNOW it's not his extreme dislike of Warren Riley.
Hell, just thing morning it was made public that Jordan's office decided not to go forward with prosecuting some little scumbag that has an extremely long arrest record . But he sure has time to go after a doctor and two nurses who stayed behind to be with patients during Katrina for murder even though the coroner found no evidence of homicide.
from the Times Picayune earlier this week:
During this week's City Council hearing, Council members were particularly interested in "701s," shorthand for Article 701 of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure. It states that no one can be held longer than 60 days on a felony arrest without an indictment. Prosecutors may refile charges against 701 suspects if they get complete police reports, but often 701 cases fall by the wayside.
In the eight months before Hurricane Katrina, the city released 187 people on a 701, including eight murder suspects, prosecutors' records show. In 2006, the number of releases soared to about 3,000. Last month alone, 580 people escaped legal custody of either jail or a bond obligation only because prosecutors couldn't pull together a case ahead of the deadline imposed by law.
Jordan put the blame for some 701 releases on a lack of lab-tested evidence and incomplete police reports. He said police use probable cause to make an arrest, a lesser standard than the beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard required for a conviction. The council asked Jordan why his office doesn't accept the results of field testing kits, used by officers to test for drugs. He said the field test is not admissible in court even though the federal government has used the field tests for nearly 20 years.
It just seems like the D.A.'s office is not doing their job. Perhaps I don't have all the background, but that is the way it seems to an outsider.
Here is a post from someone who does live and work in New Orleans regarding Mr. Jordan's performance.
Is there anyway that this elected official can be recalled?
There is a petition to "ask" Jordan to step down at the American Zombie website
Thanks Ray & Eddie
From todays NYT, an article about NOLA residents leaving in despair, thanks to the inaction of our mayor and D.A.
from this article
As a city in flux, New Orleans remains statistically murky, but demographers generally agree that the population replenishment after the storm, as measured by things like the amount of mail sent and employment in main economic sectors, has leveled off. While many poorer residents have moved back to the city, the “brain drain” of professionals that the city was experiencing before the storm appears to have accelerated.
from this article
As a city in flux, New Orleans remains statistically murky, but demographers generally agree that the population replenishment after the storm, as measured by things like the amount of mail sent and employment in main economic sectors, has leveled off. While many poorer residents have moved back to the city, the “brain drain” of professionals that the city was experiencing before the storm appears to have accelerated.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Scuzzbucket of the Week
Due to the fact that a lot of us were paying attention to other things - namely surviving - in September of 2005, I missed this class act.
So I am crowing Miz Renee Holcombe of South Carolina as the Scuzzbucket Bitch of this week.
From the "Myrtlebeachonline" website Law suit settled over college official's "yard apes" comment about Hurricane Katrina evacuees.
Miz Renee Holcombe, formerly an associate vice president for student services at Greenville Technical College in South Caroline , told employees in two separate briefings last week that the school's aid for the mostly black hurricane victims staying at the Palmetto Expo Center would include sending yellow buses to pick up the "yard apes," said Barton and senior vice president Ben Dillard.
Dillard said Wednesday that Holcombe was referring specifically to the children of evacuees, who were provided separate transportation.
Reached at her home this afternoon, Holcombe said she was "numb and shocked." She declined further comment. She submitted her resignation to Dillard and there was no financial settlement, Barton and Dillard said.
She had been employed at the college for 19 years, Dillard said.
"Renee believed in her own mind that the best thing for her and the institution was for her to separate from us," Dillard said.
From: foxcarolina.com
Now Holcombe has filed an appeal with the State Budget and Control Board Office of Human Resources to get her job back. Renee Holcombe says the term wasn’t meant in a racial way. Holcombe says yard apes was used in the book “Ramona Quimby Age 8” by Beverly Cleary. In one passage the book reads “she yelled again, tears of anger in her eyes, yard apes!".
from Greenville online:
Greenville Technical College said Tuesday (2-12-07)they had settled a lawsuit she filed against the school.
Neither side would discuss details and whether a monetary payment was involved. The settlement was announced at the Greenville County courthouse by Circuit Judge C. Victor Pyle Jr., who later dismissed a jury hearing the case.
In a joint statement, attorneys representing Greenville Tech and Holcombe said Greenville Tech believed Holcombe's comment in 2005 "was unfortunate."
Through its investigation, the college believed that "she did not intend the statement to be derogatory," the joint statement said.
"Unfortunately, the situation was such that Ms. Holcombe could not effectively continue to serve in the position that she held," it said.
The statement said the settlement was reached so Holcombe "can pursue other endeavors" and Greenville Tech "can pursue its mission."
Well isn't that special? She's still a scuzzbucket in my book. You shouldn't even have terms like that in your vocabulary, Miz Holcombe.
So I am crowing Miz Renee Holcombe of South Carolina as the Scuzzbucket Bitch of this week.
From the "Myrtlebeachonline" website Law suit settled over college official's "yard apes" comment about Hurricane Katrina evacuees.
Miz Renee Holcombe, formerly an associate vice president for student services at Greenville Technical College in South Caroline , told employees in two separate briefings last week that the school's aid for the mostly black hurricane victims staying at the Palmetto Expo Center would include sending yellow buses to pick up the "yard apes," said Barton and senior vice president Ben Dillard.
Dillard said Wednesday that Holcombe was referring specifically to the children of evacuees, who were provided separate transportation.
Reached at her home this afternoon, Holcombe said she was "numb and shocked." She declined further comment. She submitted her resignation to Dillard and there was no financial settlement, Barton and Dillard said.
She had been employed at the college for 19 years, Dillard said.
"Renee believed in her own mind that the best thing for her and the institution was for her to separate from us," Dillard said.
From: foxcarolina.com
Now Holcombe has filed an appeal with the State Budget and Control Board Office of Human Resources to get her job back. Renee Holcombe says the term wasn’t meant in a racial way. Holcombe says yard apes was used in the book “Ramona Quimby Age 8” by Beverly Cleary. In one passage the book reads “she yelled again, tears of anger in her eyes, yard apes!".
from Greenville online:
Greenville Technical College said Tuesday (2-12-07)they had settled a lawsuit she filed against the school.
Neither side would discuss details and whether a monetary payment was involved. The settlement was announced at the Greenville County courthouse by Circuit Judge C. Victor Pyle Jr., who later dismissed a jury hearing the case.
In a joint statement, attorneys representing Greenville Tech and Holcombe said Greenville Tech believed Holcombe's comment in 2005 "was unfortunate."
Through its investigation, the college believed that "she did not intend the statement to be derogatory," the joint statement said.
"Unfortunately, the situation was such that Ms. Holcombe could not effectively continue to serve in the position that she held," it said.
The statement said the settlement was reached so Holcombe "can pursue other endeavors" and Greenville Tech "can pursue its mission."
Well isn't that special? She's still a scuzzbucket in my book. You shouldn't even have terms like that in your vocabulary, Miz Holcombe.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
The Feb. 13th Tornadoes
The two tornadoes that touched down around 3-4 a.m. in New Orleans caused a great deal of destuction on both sides of the Mississippi River. To date, there has only been one fatality: an 85 year old woman who was living in a FEMA trailer while her Katrina-damaged home was being repaired. She was close to seeing her home completely finished. Instead, the storm picked up her FEMA trailer and tossed it and also completely destroyed her home. In Westwego over 100 homes were damaged and the roof was torn off a hotel that housed families who were living there after being displaced by Katrina. The Bon Soir had just completed repairs from Katrina.
The T.P. has two slide shows detailing the destruction:
Pictures and an eyewitess account of the sights and sounds.
The path of the tornado
Bloggers discussing this event are linked below:
Jack Ware on metroblogs
Prytania Waterline
b.rox
Pictures at howieluvsus
Now Public
Laureen has pictures here
Please keep the victims of this tragedy in your prayers. In many cases, these people are just rebuilding their lives post Katrina and now this.
The T.P. has two slide shows detailing the destruction:
Pictures and an eyewitess account of the sights and sounds.
The path of the tornado
Bloggers discussing this event are linked below:
Jack Ware on metroblogs
Prytania Waterline
b.rox
Pictures at howieluvsus
Now Public
Laureen has pictures here
Please keep the victims of this tragedy in your prayers. In many cases, these people are just rebuilding their lives post Katrina and now this.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Stopped in time
The following scenes have not changed in the 1 year plus since Katrina.
click on photo's to view larger size
Bayou Liberty Road
Irish Bayou
Irish Bayou This camp was blown out there in one piece!
LA433, Pirates Harbor, Slidell
Levee, New Orleans East
Boat Launch, Chef Pass, New Orleans East
Levee, New Orleans East
Pontchartrain Drive, Slidell
Hwy 90, by Textron Marine, New Orleans East
Fort Pike, Rigolets
Bayou Liberty, Slidell
Waveland, Mississippi
Waveland, Mississippi
click on photo's to view larger size
Bayou Liberty Road
Irish Bayou
Irish Bayou This camp was blown out there in one piece!
LA433, Pirates Harbor, Slidell
Levee, New Orleans East
Boat Launch, Chef Pass, New Orleans East
Levee, New Orleans East
Pontchartrain Drive, Slidell
Hwy 90, by Textron Marine, New Orleans East
Fort Pike, Rigolets
Bayou Liberty, Slidell
Waveland, Mississippi
Waveland, Mississippi
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