NOLA OLordy!
I thought I might have been too cynical in a previous post on NOLA, particularly after Jimbo dressed me down. But the best pundit in the blogosphere has just made me feel like some northeast weenie.
posted by ziel | 9/04/2005 01:41:00 AM
4 Comments:
I´d agree that your cynicism is pretty mild compared to some... I wasn´t trying to dress you down. But I did think that discussing test scores was a thinly veiled way of saying "what we got heeeaah is a bunch of po peeepo..."
In any event, I think this episode is a great opportunity for Americans to say it like it is for a change. I thought it was great watching Geraldo and Shepard (?) doing just that on Fox of all stations. Why not do the same here on your blog? I´ll try not to do anymore dressing down.
Oh, and I forgot to mention that rapper... Canye West.
All:
I'm really trying to stay out of the politics of this as I'm too close and don't have time but, a big Baton Rouge F*ck You to these conservative radio & tv assholes who are trying to deflect blame from George Bush. Where is the FEMA head now? The local/state government may well share some responsibilty for evacuation and warning problems but the Federal response was pathetically slow and underwhelming!
Harlem
News from the second front (for anyone interested):
We are fine, although our lives have gone through some definite changes.
Home life is changed for who knows how long. The estimate now is that Baton Rouge has grown by between 200-240,000 people. The traffic, never great, is horrendous. Nobody wants to cook but going out to eat takes forever (traffic & crowds) and getting a pizza delivered takes 1 1/2 hours (haven't seen any 20 minute delivery guarantees lately). There is 100% occupancy in all apartments, house prices have skyrocketed and Marriott says there are no rooms available in any of their properties thru December. On the plus side, gas is now readily available (at vabout $2.70 a gallon for unleaded regular, which I know is less than some places), the grocery stores are stocked and I've never been prouder of a community than I am of Baton Rouge. We've accepted these poor, desperate people with open arms and the level of giving, donation, tolerance, patience and overall good will is amazing. Somebody gets on local radio and says they need 10 refrigerators for vaccines for the LSU AG Center that is housing displaced or lost animals (1000s - a whole different tragedy - I'm crying as I type this) and they have them within 2 hours. We've opened our schools, our hospitals and our homes. My Mom & stepdad are fine and I think our yard debris that has sat at our curb since 8/30 is finally being taken away today or tommorow. Some progress.
We are very thankful for what we have when we see so many who now have nothing. We are also incredibly thankful for our great network of friends who inquire regularly about our well being and offer their sympathy & support. It does help keep us going. I've never appreciated or admired Clare more for her hard work, tolerance of my frequent need to "unwind" after a 13 hour day and her love. I am hearing personal stories every day that are simply heartbreaking. If whatever doesn't kill us does, indeed, make us stronger, I'll be very strong by the time this all ends. I'm on the new "Katrina" diet and it is working faster than Atkins, having lost 10 pounds just this week.
I've never been much on asking for anything (other than another beer) but I would encourage anyone who has a few bucks to contribute something towards getting beyond this tragedy. Go to www.wjbo.com or www.wwl.com to find out how to direct contributions to the people who need it most. You'll sleep better at night, I assure you.
Tomorrow is another work day but Sunday, we rest.
Love to all,
Harlem
Post a Comment
<< Home