Y'all can see the #'s over at the Secretary of State's website. Once you get to that page, click on the Parish tab, and choose Orleans Parish to see all the results for the entire Parish.
But the election of Mitch Landrieu to the Mayoralty is yet another step in the right direction after all the political mis-steps in the years following Katrina.
Ever since the Haiti earthquake happened, it has invited quite a few comparisons to the disaster brought about in New Orleans by the federal flood. There are even those in the mainstream media who have asked if this quake is going to turn out to be Obama's "Katrina."
This is not surprising because there are some similarities in the situations--for example, the slowness in rescuing and getting aid to the survivors--which reminds casual observers of the way New Orleanians had to wait a week for food, water and rescue after her levees failed. Also, these catastrophes are manmade--Haiti's because of shoddily-constructed buildings, New Orleans' because of poorly-built and maintained levees--both of which had been disasters waiting to happen.
Nearly four and a half years ago this nation experienced the two worst disasters of this past decade: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans' federal flood. Today many consider them old news, if not history, but they still are present in the lives of those who survived them.
Today Obama will be making an extremely short stop in New Orleans. Or what my favorite NOLA blogger calls a "tinkle-stop tour." In New Orleans, he'll be visiting a charter school and participating in a town hall meeting in the Lower 9th Ward.
In contrast, his next stop will be San Francisco, where he'll be spending four times as much time--16 hours. This has caused Harry Shearer to say,
Total elapsed time in SF: sixteen hours. They must have experienced a hell of a federal disaster there. Four times worse, you figure?
Often when people including those in government and the mainstream media who should know better refer to the events of 8/29, it is merely as "Katrina" or "Hurricane Katrina".
There were actually two catastrophes that happened that day: the storm, which passed to the east of New Orleans, devastating the Mississippi and eastern Louisiana Gulf Coasts, which was a NATURAL disaster, and the falling apart of New Orleans' federally-built and maintained levees, which was a MANMADE disaster due to poor engineering.
While the use of Katrina as shorthand to cover the two events is easy (I've even done that at times) it's misleading because of the implication that the flooding of New Orleans was a natural disaster. And this matters--more below the fold.
Here's why: Rep. King was recently interviewed by "The Hill."
THE HILL: What vote would you like to redo?
KING: I don't really go back and re-live that sort of thing. Some of the big votes that I've thought about, some of the jury's still out. And at this point, maybe I'd answer that question another way, probably the singular vote that stands out that went against the grain, and it turns out to be the best vote that I cast, was my "no" vote to the $51.5 billion to [Hurricane] Katrina. That probably was my best vote. But as far as doing something different again, I don't know.
I should be feeling better--after all, Obama did commemorate Katrina and the flood in his radio address this morning. To his credit he also brought up levees and coastal restoration. But only time will tell if these words will be backed up by action or be mere empty words.
I have been upset and feel as if I'm almost physically ill. I cannot help but flash back, see the scenes of rescues and of the afflicted at the Superdome and the Convention Center and think of how so many suffered during Katrina and the federal flood and are still suffering. And I can't help but wonder if Obama really cares about New Orleans. Because when I remember what happened during the flood and Katrina which turned the lives of so many upside down and think about the fact that Obama won't be going there (which he wasn't going to do anyway even if Ted Kennedy hadn't passed) I'm depressed.
And others are also turned off by the fact that Obama has paid so little attention to Louisiana and her problems and those of her neighbors in the Gulf Region--a wound which Obama's absence from Katrina observances has rubbed salt into. More below the fold...
(Yet another example of the exemplary way Senator Kennedy helped those in need. - promoted by ryan)
Among all of his other accomplishments, Ted Kennedy can be remembered since Katrina and the federal flood happened as a legislator who proactively did what he could to help New Orleans' and the rest of the Gulf Region's people after the catastrophe.
(I can't say it much better than this, folks ... - promoted by ryan)
Where is the hope and change in New Orleans? When Barack Obama was a presidential candidate, he promised that he would:
"keep the broken promises made by President Bush to rebuild New Orleans and the Gulf Coast" and take steps to prevent failures in emergency planning and response seen during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Specifically, Obama would ensure New Orleans has a levee and pumping system to protect the city against a 100-year storm by 2011, free up rebuilding funds that had been allocated but not released and to rebuild hospitals and schools.
The long, lazy days of summer are upon us, and it's time to have a little fun-but it's also a great opportunity to volunteer a bit of spare time for a good cause.
So imagine how cool it would be if you could combine the two...and even better, do it in a way that doesn't take a bite out of your wallet...and even better yet, if it was something you and the kids could do together.
Imagine no more, because it has been done; which is why today we are going to be talking about lead in the soil of New Orleans, Operation Paydirt...and Fundred Dollar Bills.
I'm literally stealing this entire post from the folks over at Save Charity Hospital. Somehow, I don't think they'll mind the amplification of their efforts.
We've been working hard to pass House Bill 780, the straightforward proposal to safeguard taxpayers and residents from overzealous land seizures and demolitions in the proposed medical complex footprint. By prohibiting the state from expropriating private property until a viable financing plan is approved by the Legislature, the bill protects New Orleans against the real threat of abandoned or unfinished development projects.
When it was first proposed in the House, it looked like a long shot. Yet, because of all the hard work of people who really care about this issue, it made it through the Health and Welfare Committee without objection before it was passed overwhelmingly by the full House by a 94-2 vote.
Now, the bill goes to the Senate.
TOMORROW, it will be up for a vote in front of the Education Committee.
Our representatives in Baton Rouge are extremely busy and need to hear why this bill is so important.
Please call and write the Senators of the Education Committee. Click Here!
In the New Orleans area, there are two important Senators that may need some extra encouragement.
Senator Ann Duplessis has been working very hard to secure support for Methodist Hospital, demonstrating her commitment to health care in New Orleans. So we know that if she hears from us about how HB 780 helps ensure that the full funding is in place for a medical complex, she'll be an important ally on the Education Committee.
We must win her support. Tell her to vote YES on HB 780 and YES to basic taxpayer and homeowner protection.
Give her a call at (504) 243-7795 and tell her "Yes on 780!"
Sen. Conrad Appel also sits on the Education Committee and represents parts of Lakeview and Jefferson Parish. He must also hear from you on HB 780.
Call him at (504) 838-5550 and tell him to vote YES on fiscal responsibility and this important safeguard of private property rights.
The folks over at Save Charity Hospital have created one of the best single issue advocacy websites I've ever seen. And it doesn't hurt that they are absolutely right on the issue.
A recent article in The Times Picayune covers the struggle some New Orleans parents are going through in search of public prekindergarten programs for their children. In particular, the story addresses coveted spots in "good" public prekindergarten programs and the lengths parents will go to in order to attain these spots. One of the most popular ways to grab one of these openings is to have your child tested and labeled "gifted." The couple featured in the article had their child tested by a private psychologist, who indeed deemed their child "gifted." The Orleans Parish School Board, who has its own testing methods, found the designation invalid. One parent of the child said, "I feel like I'm in one of Dante's new circles of hell."
Really? One of Dante's new circles of hell? Well, to The Times Picayune, to the parents of the "gifted" child denied, and to all parents like these, I want to tell you about a real circle in Dante's hell. Notice: I did not have to make up a new circle. Dante's old circles never go out of style. While you all are whining about your "gifted" children, thousands of children are forced to take what leftovers they are offered. In fact, too many people forget that these children were actually called this name - leftovers - by Glenny Lee Buquet, member of the Louisiana Board of Elementary & Secondary Education not too long ago.
The parents of these children, too, want their kids to go to prekindergarten. These children and their parents want "good" schools available to them as well. They want nice facilities, not crumbling buildings with two working toilets. They want curriculums that will excite and challenge them, not second-hand books and uncertified teachers. They want to play in a band, throw a football, and paint a picture, not only just be provided with what is absolutely necessary. These parents want the time and money that others can invest in shopping for schools and child psychologists. They desperately want all of these things-and absolutely deserve all of these things.
How many truly gifted children are we leaving out? The answer is all of them. They are all gifted. Let them in. Give them hope. Gift them with a good school.
Our cable news stations have been consumed as of late with the idea of "change" and whether or not it is happening and how fast. I think it's because there was some new guy sworn in as president in Washington.
But enough of the sarcasm because change is taking place in the city of New Orleans and yesterday's vote to open up the city's business to the public is a perfect example. Now some may think that this is a nuisance and that the public will just get in the way of them making decisions. But if you think about it actually encourages more people to get involved with the community.
City Councilman Arnie Fielkow has been spearheading this legislation and it appears as though measures such as this were long overdue.
For someone that's not a native to New Orleans, these folks sure made me feel welcome. From the moment I walked in the door, not knowing a soul, I was greeted with hearty hellos, given a champagne glass, and shown a spot where I could watch the festivities. I think I made some new friends today, and renewed acquaintances with some folks from the campaign trails of last year.
Throughout it all, folks were cheering, crying, dancing. The shot of folks saluting the TV's with champagne glasses in hand happened once Mr. Obama completed the Oath of Office. After his speech, the dancing began.
The funniest moment occurred when they showed former President Bush taking off in the helicopter. The crowd broke out into "Hey, hey, hey, na na na, GOODBYE!"
The crowd here is a panarama of America - old and young, black, white, Latino and asian, gay and straight - and all just cheered the entrance of Barack Obama! Pictures coming later, from here in New Orleans and Washington, D.C.
(This diary is from an email sent by Matt McBride. I felt it was better to create a user name for Matt, rather post it in my name, that way, he gets all the credit for his work on keeping tabs on the Corps.
As far as I'm concerned, Matt is one of the unsung heroes of New Orleans. - promoted by ryan)
Dear New Orleanians,
As you know, the permanent pump station project has been dragging along for years now, with meeting after meeting and no seeming progress. The project is now three years behind the original schedule.
At the last public meeting in October, the Corps promised they would have a report on the project ready for public comment by December, and that it would be signed this month (pdf alert ... see page 13).
Obviously, that didn't happen. There have been no public meetings about the project scheduled since then.
However, the Corps feels comfortable enough to present up to date information to potential contractors this month.
Next Thursday, January 22nd, they will be holding an "Industry Day" at the airport Hilton at 1 PM. It is devoted exclusively to the permanent pumps and the Corps' plans for them. Contractors are invited to get the latest information. It's not clear the public is invited, but it's also not clear they're not.
Here's the meeting notice (which makes no mention of the permanent pump stations):
Here's more detailed contact info:
INDUSTRY DAY CONFERENCE INFORMATION UPDATE!
The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers has scheduled an Industry Day Conference for this requirement at 1:00 pm CST on 22 January 2009 at the Hilton New Orleans Airport, 901 Airline Drive, Kenner, LA 70062. Please register by providing the following information via email to Ms. Avis Gaines at avis.h.gaines@usace.army.mil or Mr. Robert E. Watts at robert.e.watts@usace.army.mil, NLT 16 January 2009:
Company name, address, phone number, office POC, name and number of representatives attending the conference.
The Corps wants contractors to register by this Friday, January 15th. You can choose to play by their rules, or perhaps just show up, which could be interesting if there's press there.
I woke up this morning to the news that the New Orleans Police Department arrested two Catholic parishioners holding a peaceful vigil protesting the closure of Our Lady of Good Counsel here in New Orleans.
It amazes me that the NOPD finds the time and effort to arrest two Catholic parishioners attempting civil disobedience against the leader of their church here in New Orleans, but can't for the life of them correctly fight the real crimes happening here in New Orleans. (Hat Tip to Oyster for the link)
Perhaps Cardinal O'Malley has a little more of that old fashioned shame that the Catholics instill in their parishioners oh so well, as the church, where the vigil has lasted more than four years, occupies prime real coastal real estate outside Boston. Might that be the reason that Our Lady of Good Counsel is slated for closure here in New Orleans? After all, it is a "Gothic-style brick building [that] is arguably the most precious jewel in the crown known as New Orleans's graceful Garden District." It's also a National Historic Landmark, which will help protect the building itself, but won't force the Archdiocese to keep it as a church.
Might this just be a money-grab by the Archdiocese? If so, how utterly shameless of the Archbishop to employ the New Orleans Police Department in his quest to make a quick buck.
If I was a good church-going Catholic, I'd organize a campaign to withhold the donations until the Archdiocese gets the point. Make do without the cell phones and whatever other luxuries y'all have before shuttering parishes. Y'all did take a vow of poverty, did you not?
