Dulce et decorum est pro patria enjoy New Orleans.
The Good: On the release of the first post-Katrina Zagat survey, Tim Zagat says, “The patriotic thing to do is to pack up your bag and visit New Orleans. You can help out by coming down and having a good time. That’s a good thing.”
The Bad: At the Krewe of King Arthur meeting two nights ago, we found out that, following outcries from their parents and school boards regarding the recent murders in New Orleans, four high schools’ marching bands have dropped out of our parade. All four bands hail from outlying parishes and Mississippi. On the bright side, not one Orleans Parish school band has reneged.
The Ugly: 1) Despite popular opinion, Bush has pledged an extra $1.2 billion for rebuilding and job creation in Iraq and will send 21,500 extra American troops there
2) The Army Corps of Engineers are far behind on their promise to fix New Orleans’ drainage pumps: “Risk of breach on London Avenue canal far higher than we’ve been led to believe”
3) State-contracted ICF backs off ‘Road Home’ target pledge: “Officials backpedal, saying no specific goal was established, despite record”
If you consider yourself a red-blooded, flag-wrapped and troop-loving American, this is my request to you: please pack your bags, visit New Orleans, see for yourself the levee-, bureaucracy- and crime-induced plight of this city and enjoy its sights, cuisine and yet-defiant-and-easygoing people. Then, go back home, discuss your trip with fellow townspeople, write your newspaper, and demand action for New Orleans from your congresspeople and local politicians.
“Our intense focus in on murder.” — C. Ray Nagin, Mayor of New Orleans
“The federal government is committed to building the best levee system known in the world … this levee system will be better and stronger than we’ve ever had in the history of New Orleans.” — Donald Powell, Federal Coordinator, Gulf Coast Rebuilding
Remember what our politicians promised and act accordingly. Hold them accountable. When they lie here, will they not do the same when disaster strikes you? You are not invincible. No one is.
Much gratitude to those who have given time, effort and financial support to this region and its recovery. Your work has not gone unnoticed. People like you make the long, strange ride entirely worthwhile. Please continue to fight for America, with us.
