Post-lunch (Dunbar’s … mmmm). I’m the conference coordinator and just introduced Adrastos as moderator of the Politics Panel. Take it away, Shecky!
On Nagin’s Latest Remarks
- Peggy Wilson (PW) suggests we ignore Nagin.
- David Jaynes (DJ) of Moldy City would like Nagin to have chosen his words better.
- Michael Duplantier (MD) disagrees with Peggy in that Nagin’s words have no import, but agrees with her that we have to go on inspite of him.
On Rebuilding And City Politics
- Peggy Wilson says we have to stop complaining that the federal, state and local government aren’t doing anything for us. We have to go out and work on our problems ourselves. “If you have a sunken boat, go get it out yourself.” So, why do we pay taxes? And, Shane Landry(SL) asked as much. To which Peggy replied, “We shouldn’t.”
- MD: “Nothing [planwise] was executed between January 20th and May 20th. Now, we’re paying for it.”
- PW: “Individual neighborhoods should conduct their own plans. We’re making plans on our plans.”
On Oil Leases
- SL: “We are not getting a fair share. I feel strongly that the governor is on the right track with putting the pressure on the government. I don’t know if it’s going to happen. I love America, but this is my home. I love Louisiana and I’ll be damned if I watch my people [suffer]. I’m standing here today saying that if we band together and tell the government that they have money from [our part of the] continental shelf … it’s far cheaper to give us our fair share of royalties and help ourselves. We were betrayed by the federal government. They were the ones that breached the social contract, not us. So they should pay to keep us. We want our fair share, or give us our walking papers. This is not anti-American, this is pro-Louisiana. [MUCH APPLAUSE]
- MD: Refers to inflammatory comments on The Long, Strange Resurrection Of New Orleans. These kinds of feelings make me want to second [Shane’s] motion.”
- PW: “Shane, you’re talking like we’re the victim here. [Our politicians] handed the leases away. We have to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”
- MD: “Peggy, how can you say that when we are the only community who has had to beg for help from the country, while other disasters are immediately funded?”
- PW feels that the country does care for us and that these are extreme views.
On Dolla’ Bill Jefferson
- DJ: Jefferson will be re-elected first and then indicted later.
- PW: Agrees with DJ.
- MD: Jefferson will lose. The “Jefferson Machine” did not work in getting Gill-Pratt relected in District B.
- SL: Karen Carter will win.
On City Council
- PW: Shelley Midura a lot better than Jay Batt. [APPLAUSE]
- MD: Getting Walgreens to work within zoning laws is a great outcome [APPLAUSE & recognition of Karen G.]
Q&A – Interesting Snippets
“The ‘Chocolate City’ comment was made purposely to attract displaced black voters.” – PW
“Dolla’ Bill is a cunning politician.” – SL
“Parents should have more [education/school] choices. [I’m for] universal vouchers.” – SL
“Any [education system] will be better than what we have. Poor, black kids in Virginia have it a lot better than we do.” – MD
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DRAMA ALERT! Mark Folse Hits The “Historic Hatred Against The Landrieus” Hot Button
Aaaaaand Peggy Wilson goes on a tirade against the entire Landrieu family citing that Mitch cut deals with various businesses and entities that brought about the destruction of the Levee Board and other boards around New Orleans. She continues with accusing Landrieu of requiring preferential treatment. Dangerblond calls Peggy on it and asks her to cite examples and sources. Peggy will not … Dangerblond storms out of the session. Video up at Scout Prime’s First Draft.
“But I think that the current generation of Landrieus many of whom live on the public dole and many of whom have great expectations about how they should come and be the saviors of our system are very much disliked because of their attitude. Mitch Landrieu is a person who has had a business where he got business from having judges refer business to him and requiring attorneys to use him in his business. And when you do that it indicates that you have the same system that got us where we are. And I happen to know…”
[Audience member asks Wilson what she is talking about and asked what is the evidence (difficult to hear in video)]
“Well I’m talking about something that I know about first hand. And I know that when you look on the dais on election night and you see the people surrounding a candidate who are the same people that brought about the destruction of the levee board, the destruction of the aviation(?) board and the destruction of various other boards and governing bodies in this community you say what kind of a deal did this guy cut with all these people to be able to raise all that money.”
You’ve got to love New Orleans politics. Hell, you’ve got to love politics.
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MY PANEL IS UP NEXT. SO NERVOUS.
Hey, chick. You forgot to mention the Oyster-Adrastos theory. Mark the wet surely did. I’m outraged…;-)
Ummm hello, Adrastos, I said, “Mark Folse Hits The ‘Historic Hatred Against The Landrieus’ Hot Button” Also, that didn’t imply the Oyster-Adrastos theory, which everyone knows about but just doesn’t want to say. Shane sorta did.