AND SO THE BIG EASY CONTINUES TO CRUMBLE

AND SO THE BIG EASY CONTINUES TO CRUMBLE
It has been a while since I was able to write something on this blog of mine. By the “old lady”, commonly known as RW has been giving me some tender, loving care and I am feeling better and decided to do a little writing. Oh, I know she has been blistering the posting sites, the blogs, etc. What more can I say. My father warned me. He said you know she is a spitfire. Frankly, my dears, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Now on to business. This city is still reeling from the arrogance and stupidity of the mayor and the failure of the citizens to speak out clearly against him. This latest episode in which the City of New Orleans filed action against LTC is indicative of his arrogance and ignorance and that of his so called staff. RW often calls for a listing of qualifications of all personnel in City Hall. I must join her in that request. We can no longer afford to have incompetents roaming those halls even for the months left in his administration. Civil Service was meant to protect the competent not the incompetent. Individuals who passed examinations to be admitted to practice should be advising the mayor appropriately and not give in to his tantrums. Unfortunately, these political appointees are afraid of losing their jobs. The citizens would support them if they did what was right. It is time for an upheaval in City Hall from within and from without. May if happen now. Citizens should picket that hell hole created by decades and decades of neglect, not simply by Katrina and every damn intervening mayor held responsible for its condition and the condition of the services rendered by the personnel within.
Now what about this latest action – hiring a high priced attorney from out of state. Too chicken to find one who can take on the job here? This must be the talk of the legal community in the area. Everyone by now should have his/her opinion as to the actions of the mayor. Who has not? Who or what does this new attorney represent and why was this firm needed in the first place. The blatant incompetence of the mayor and his staff.
Now what about Chief Riley? Frankly, dears, (how I enjoy using those terms as does R.W., the vixen) the guy had no chance. Blame it all on him but look at the conditions under which he took control. Look at the makeup of the city after Katrina and the continuing flow of problems. The National Guard needs to be brought in and a house to house search made to discover the guns, the drugs, etc. The buildings falling down should be destroyed. The homeless, drug addicts, prostitutes, mental patients roaming the streets must be assisted. This will take almost martial law and furthermore strict curfews. It is time to get tough and to enforce. People must learn to control their children and adults must learn to conform to the laws. These issues cross all ancestral lines, socio-economic lines, etc. Times are tough and it is time that we get tougher.
Next posting I will be hitting the mayor and council elections and also have a few words to say about that idiot across the lake, Price, and the leaders of Jefferson Parish. Hmmm – newspapers and TV stations and radio stations and internet news sites better get ready for some big time action including Baton Rouge and the governor, wherever he may be today.

A CHALLENGE TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW ORLEANS

It has been a while since I said: "I will post looking at what I see as the various wars that have caused the destruction of the city that once had such a brilliant future." Over the weeks and months that have passed, I have seen much in this city - death in various hideous forms, the mess in City Hall, the political squabbling over Charity Hospital, the continuing decline in the economy, the lack of true leadership on all levels of government, and a malaise that ordinary citizens are fighting in the best way that they can. The future of our children and our city are at stake and our leaders are inept and involved in the politics of the game to such an extent that the harm continues to destroy this city, this state, and this nation. A ground swell will start taking place in the coming months as people realize more and more the mistakes that they have made in electing incompetent and ill prepared people for leadership. Instead of voting for the best our citizens look to other factors, of little consequence, in making their decision. It is not the first time not the last that this will happen. However, at the present time citizens hurting from the actions of their leaders will react and start exercising more and more care instead of merely listening to political rhetoric and looking at the ancestry of the candidate. Now will be the time that I will start posting more and more about the coming local elections and these posts will be strong and determined. We will no longer accept the cronies of any politician, we will no longer look at ancestry, we will no longer chose along party lines but we must and shall chose the best. Care to join the battle and create a new frontier, not in space but here in New Orleans, in Louisiana, and in the nation? I dare you to take a stand. Do you care enough to take that dare?

WHO WAS THE BEST MAYOR IN MODERN TIMES

Yes, many will disagree with my remarks but think about them. Ernest "Dutch" Morial. This city needed change and the age old issue of tourism as the sole source of importance could no longer be honored. Dutch Morial took some chances and brought about new developments and new possibilities. He took some major chances that created havoc in the eyes of some such as the cancellation of Mardi Gras. However, he took the chance and he sought change and affirmative actions but he failed to control his temper and his feud with certain organizations. He lacked the ability to mediate. This was his major flaw. However, look at what he did to overcome the issues that made it difficult to live and develop in this city, particularly the question of his ancestry. Give him credit for doing what other had not been able to do - to be first in many ways. It is unfortunate that his temper could not be controlled and other personal issues interfered with his role as mayor. Yet he still was the best considering the circumstances and the times. Unfortunately his son learned little from his father.

NAGIN BRINGS THIS CITY TO ITS KNEES

After Mark Morial, we saw a new face and we had hope of a change. That was the face of Ray Nagin, often seen and heard speaking on behalf of his employer, Cox Communications. Well, he was elected as Mayor and with him came hope as we saw corruption being disclosed and action being taken - remember people being taken out in handcuffs from City Hall, clean up of various departments, and also the arguments with the City Council. Yes there was hope but along came some storms and particularly Katrina and then we saw the lack of ability to lead, the failure to make decisions, and the failure of city officials for decades to make decent plans in advance for major storms. Let's not lay the blame solely at Nagin's feet. However, his inability and failure to act responsibly during that time indicates a lack of true leadership. Human lives were at stake and decisions were not made until too late. When the storm had passed, some sighed with relief until the water began to spread throughout the city. Again, let us not blame Ray alone for that because all of the mayors before him had done little to seek protection for this city. The devastation during Betsy was no where near the devastation and loss of life in Katrina. Blame must be spread all over - city, state, and federal leadership were all involved in the death and destruction resulting from Katrina. No segment of government was innocent. However, the immediate leadership of Ray Nagin contributed to the failure of many to leave this city. His order for mandatory evacuation should have come much sooner along with a declaration of martial law and a call for help to the national level in anticipation of what might happen to this city. After the storm he continued with the inability to lead and he relied on what he had not relied on before, a call for racism. Even then, many would continue to support him because they still hoped for what they had seen in his original election. He was still the fresh face of hope in this city of chaos. However, history shows that this was not what we would see and the news media and others have disclosed since the storm the true incompetence of his leadership and those that surrounded him. A man of hope became the man of distrust and disgust. Today, he is the brunt of jokes, the brunt of editorials, the brunt of hatred and intolerance. From hope there has come little. Now we turn to the future and again we must seek the best but we must learn from the past and cast a vote with great care. The history of the past must teach us a lesson, if we are to see the survival of New Orleans. Only we, the citizens, can change New Orleans.

NEXT POSTING - WHICH MAYOR(S) WERE THE BEST IN MODERN TIMES?

THE HEIR BECOMES MAYOR

Well, after serving two years in the State Senate and having been previously defeated by Bill Jefferson in a run for Congress, Marc Morial was able to gain the seat of Mayor with a defeat of Donald Mintz. Yes he was successful in gaining a new Chief of Police, who reduced crime, together with additonal hotels, and a increase in tourism but he failed to gain other forms of businesses in this city as slowly but surely the business sector of this city lost more and more ground. In addition, he surpassed his father in arrogance and it would later be shown how family members, particularly his maternal line, would profit during his tenure. Now there were many other rumors about his personal life, but rumors are what they remain to this day. Single during most of his terms in office, he eventually married. However, the only mark he left on the city that remains to this day is tourism, which is and should not be the only foundation of this city. Morial rarely returns to the city of his birth and one wonders why. Well he may be the head of the National Urban League but his legacy to the city of New Orleans remains the question of corruption during his tenure as mayor. Did he use the shovel (not a broom) to bring in more corruption or to remove the corruption. The rumors on this issue continues with the exception of some indictments that have come forward. Time will tell. Time will tell.

THE DISCUSSION OF MAYORS OF NEW ORLEANS CONTINUES.

Sidney Barthelemy would succeed his rival Dutch Morial. Bathelemy had a varied background from an aspirant priest, a stevedore, involvement and employment in several positions, even head of the Department of Welfare under Landrieu. However, what is notable is his joining of COUP, Community Organization for Urban Politics. It was this organization's power that placed Barthelemy in the Mayor's office only after his nemisis Dutch Morial had been there first. Barthelemy may have been the first American of African ancestry to be in the senate since reconstruction, but Dutch Morial oudid him in mutliple ways. As a successor to Morial he place COUP supporters along with many other cronies in many positions in City Hall. Once again the major emphasis in the city began that of tourism and various tourist attractions, including the Aquarium. His major blunder was the granting of the Mayor's Scholarship to Tulane to his son, who attended Brother Martin (not his father's alma mater, St. Augustine). The last time I saw this man in public was when he was shopping for a Christmas tree. He looked like a lost child and frankly as mayor of this city he was lost also. The city's decline continued during his tenure as mayor. The city was lost by then but the total decline would still be in the future, the leadership of Marc Morial and his gang. Dutch had died before he could run for mayor against Barthlemey but one would have hoped that he had seen his wrongs and would come back to bring this city back to its feet. However, death had intervened and his son was and is no Ernest "Dutch" Morial.

RACE AND THE CITIZENS OF NEW ORLEANS

This morning RW called my attention to an article on the Bayou Buzz website; http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Louisiana/Government/Race_Relations_In_New_Orleans_Post_Katrina__Your_Thoughts__8666.asp

After reading that article she responded. I agree with that response and decided, with her permission to post it here for others to see.

It is been a long time in coming but this discussion is essential. Unfortunately the hatred that exists has been fomented by some in an attempt to gain positions or to gain recognition. This should not be for gain of any sort but for the improvement of our city. It is time for New Orleans to regenerate into a city of unity and serve as an example to all. It can work, if the people put aside their ancestries, their wealth, their status, their personal well being and ambitions and consider the needs of all citizens. It is something that we have been calling for over the years and even more so since Katrina. History will speak that the cause comes from people of all ancestries. It is unfortunate that some of the more influential people and organizations and religions have caused some of the hurt that we see today. May this city move forward. May we recognize the cause of the distress that exists today and may we create what we have called a nouvelle New Orleans, a city of harmony and a city united for a better future for all.

AN INTERRUPTION TO THE ISSUE OF MAYORS

I interrupt my discussion on the history of the mayor's of this city to discuss a pertinent issue - the continuing deaths of young people in the city of New Orleans. Again this morning I read the story of a 15 year old being shot. This continuing issue becomes even more distressing on this date - the day on which Christians begin what they refer to as Holy Week. With due respect to people of other faiths and also with respect to the belief of Christians everywhere, I wish to draw a parallel to the deaths we read about to that of Christ. What was the basic cause for the death of Christ - jealousy, hatred, discrimination of people of his time. What is the foundation of the deaths of young men and women in this city? The same basic factors. I am not drawing a parallel between the deceased in this city and Christ himself but a parallel between the causes. As we begin this Holy Week, all Christians in this city should ask themselves the basic question - are we like the silent people of over two thousand years ago who allowed those fundamental factors to cause the death of Christ? Will we continue to allow jealousy, hatred, discrimination, and yes self-hatred to perpetuate the deaths that continue to dominate the news of this city? Will we, and I include people of all faiths in this call, join together to stop the deaths in this city by seeking to show respect to all, concern for all, and a recognition of equality of all. It is with this in mind, that we all should approach the future for the sake of the citizens and particularly the young men and women of this city.

COURAGE TO MAKE A TRUE DIFFERENCE

Clare Booth Luce once state that "Courage is the ladder on which all the other virtues mount." In 1977 I saw what we thought would be a ladder of courage in front of City Hall and that was Ernest "Dutch Morial", the first American of African ancestry to be elected as mayor of New Orleans. He had faced adversity and had defeated it over the years and had shown to us the courage that it would take to be mayor of this city. There were numerous firsts in this man's life but they came only through struggles and determination. Yes I note that he won because of his voting base but I had hope that this man who had been first to do that which at one time was considered impossible would continue to achieve the impossible. He won without the support of major political organizations. What I saw as a possibility was shortly overshadowed by his giving into the system out of anger at opponenets and a personality that he did not seek to control. He used his own methods of cronyism to develop control of boards, to fill City Hall positions, and to defeat the opposition. While, I would agree with some policies that would seek to eliminate discrimination, I cannot agree with policies that would destroy competency in our city's government. The courage that I had seen as a ladder was being destroyed rung by rung. While I would agree with some issues, such as the strike by police and the subsequent elimination of Mardi Gras in 1979 and the development and diversity in methods of economic gain, we cannot agree to the patronage game being used and the continued vindictiveness against his political opponents. However, those opponents, particulary Sidney Barthlemey, should have held out a hand of peace instead of allowing the anger to destroy this city and what should have been a new vibrance of unity. The ladder of courage was destroyed by the pestilence of anger. Sidney Barthlemey would gain his dream, that of being mayor, but he did not have an iota of the courage that Dutch Morial had at the beginning of Dutch's term as mayor. No one that has followed has had the promise and the initial courage and determination that Dutch Morial had but lost and unfortunately that only led to the continuing decline of this city that began may years before with the failure of Chep Morrison to take the lead in keeping peace during the initial period of integration. The ladder of courage has yet to be shown in the leadership of this city. Next I will address the weakness of a Christmas tree seeker, that I recognized as Sidney Barthelemy.

THE TRAUMA OF POLITICS TAKES A TURN

Abraham Lincoln stated: "The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew." Yes in time, when we left with the Morrisson reign in City Hall, there was a need to think anew and act anew". In that era we would see the rise of Maurice "Moon" Landrieu. Many citizens saw that need and in the election of 1970 he was elected by a vote of 90% of the black vote and 39% of the white vote in the primary. It is, in my opinion, wrong to analyze election based on issues of race but it is a fact of life, even today. In the general election against a Republican, he received 99% of the black vote. However, there is no doubt that he rewarded the electorate with various positions. In fact by the time of his second term a substantial change had been made in the employees in City Hall and the question was asked whether these employees and those in other higher positions were properly qualified. The end does not justify the means. Yes it was time to think anew and act anew but it had to be done with reason. It was during his tenure that there was a major attempt to improve the tourism in this city, a factor that the Landrieu younger generation still adheres to even today. The major problem was that there should have been a greater attempt to attract major businesses into the area. Slowly the city began to sink during the 1970's as more and more citizens fled to the suburbs as the city schools began a drastic slide, and as hatred began to show its face in many, many ways. One of the major problems was the issues of schools and the failure of the system to educate even then. Yes time had brought about change but the change was not suitably handled by those who were in charge. The change could have been smooth if there were open employment practices and the best qualified, regardless of ancestry, would have been chosen to be part of the government of the city. During his tenure many scurrilous remarks were made about his heritage, etc. None of which were well founded and were based on the claims of racists only. Yes the new was there but there was no thought given as to how to handle and promote the new. This was unfortunate. This to me was the major flaw in Landrieu's administration and it further added to the turmoil that would follow in years to come.

THE LEADERSHIP CONTINUES BUT THE CITY WILL CRUMBLE

Julie de Lespinasse stated “The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them; that's the essence of inhumanity”. Chep Morrison’s failure to face the reality of integration and take the necessary steps to avoid the expression of hatred by many who were simply ignorant and unknowing led to the initial determination of many leaving the city for the suburbs. For some it was the hatred that the ignorant had shown for others it was fear for their children. When Chep left to become U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States, the City Council elected Councilman Vic Schiro, then Councilman-At-Large, as interim mayor. Schiro would be an avowed segregationist and also inherit the helm of the Crescent Democratic Association (which would eventually disintegrate). However, this man would not allow the fiasco created by integration to control the opening of a new school year. He dealt with the issue to preserve the integrity of this city and used law officials to avoid an occurrence of events that had happened under the reign of Morrison. While he remained a segregationist, he would take some but not enough steps to halt the devastation that would be created by the continuation of the discord created by this issue. Yes there was much that could have been done but not to avoid the issues that would arise. He would defeat others and he would bring vast improvements to this city but there would be another issue that would haunt his term and it name was Betsy. The haunting would be that we would not learn from that storm. However, credit must be given to Schiro for what he did more than forty years ago. Yes he did get President Johnson to visit the city on the day after the hurricane; Johnson and Schiro visited the Lower Ninth Ward and an emergency shelter. There would be packages for those who suffered and some would claim that he used this to gain re-election. However, he did get the Saints and the beginning of a new Superdome. Give him credit for what he did, including the code of ethics for city employees, the various public buildings, etc. However, this insurance man, who had a varied background, did not face the reality of what would destroy this city – he continued the foundation of what would be the hatred that this city faces today and would create the beginning of the decline in education and race relations that haunt this city today. It would have been better, if he followed the admonishment of George Bernard Shaw: “I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.”

THE SIREN’S CALL OF NEPOTISM AND CORRUPTION

Yes this is the basis for the past and for the present. Do your research on the mayors of the city beginning with Martin Behrman, the child of immigrants and born in New York, to the present day mayor, Ray Nagin, born into a Creole family. Yes, indeed, that very term Creole is used in many, many ways. It ultimately comes down to a question of family lineage. Yes read about the RDO and the ward bosses. Read about the man of wealth and prominence, Thomas Semmes Walmsley, a member of the Boston Club, a rival of Huey Long. Attacked by Long, Walmsley supported by the elite of New Orleans Society and the city’s political machine, attacked back. Walmsley later passed an ordinance banning the spread of "anarchistic, communistic, or radical doctrines" in New Orleans. He also fired almost two thousand black city employees by enforcing a Jim Crow law banning the employment of non-voters. Walmsley's term as mayor continued an alliance between the city's social and economic elite and the city's most powerful political machine. Owing his political success to his membership in the Old Regular machine's Choctaw Club, Walmsley benefited from their ability to turn out votes and dispense patronage. Yes the fight between Long and Walmsley was bitter and it showed that the votes of the citizens really did not matter once you were in power. The battle would be between the elected and their cronies.
When Walmsley resigned, he was succeeded by Robert Maestri. Read about this man, with a third grade educate, who amassed a fortune, who became mayor with the support of good old Huey’s cronies support. Yes Huey had been assassinated by this time. Maestri did recreate the city’s structure but he did use a system of patronage that would continue into his second term. The second term was different in the manner in which he governed but the corruption and favoritism that already characterized his administration grew even further. Deals with mobsters resulted in the expansion of gambling and prostitution. This brought forth a different person, a reformer by the name of DeLessepes Story Morrison, Sr. into the mayor’s office.
While Morrison did much he also used patronage and corruption as part of his governance. After his election Morrison quickly built his own political organization, the Crescent City Democratic Association. Modeling itself on the Old Regular system of ward and precinct captains, the CCDA began finding its supporters jobs in City Hall and in municipal construction contracts. Morrison also faced the issue of integration in a typical political manner – doing little. Morrison’s lack of action stemmed from his political need to avoid alienating black supporters while at the same time retaining a segregationist stance. His error was that in failing to stop the hatred and violence he would create the beginning of the hatred and mistrust that would create the collapse of his beloved city of New Orleans. Morrison would never gain the governor’s mansion, yet he would be given a federal position. However, his stay in office as mayor was besieged by issues of nepotism and corruption. The game of politics was played. Yes the story will continue. However, the story would begin to extend further and further into issues that would create more than just corruption and nepotism but also the issue of hatred. The basis as noted above. Today I end with a quote from Booker T. Washington – “I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.” It is unfortunate that these words of Mr. Washington are not taken seriously by so many. In this city the hatred is based on one issue alone – ethnic background

THE SIRENS CALL HAS EXISTED FOR CENTURIES

Yes the leaders of this city have each had their own various sirens that would encapsulate and imprison the people of New Orleans. It goes back in time, times of horror, times of slavery, times of sickness that destroyed the city, and the times of immorality. One can read about the notorious district called Storyville, named after the alderman who wrote the legislation establishing the area. From the cheapest of brothels to the most magnificent of mansions, the men of New Orleans and the visitors could have their choice. Yes the politicians knew how to entice, to sing the song of immorality, to degrade the women of all ethnicities who would labor in these sites. Some were eventually buried in major cemeteries of the city – who can find the tomb of Josie Arlington – can you? This siren, this district, was destroyed in 1917 by action of the Feds but as the mayor of the time, Martin Berhman, said "[y]ou can make it illegal, but you can't make it unpopular." One could even purchase a “blue book” describing the services available from the cheapest of “cribs” to the most expensive of mansions in the district. Later it was destroyed and public housing built instead. However, prostitution would remain throughout the city and remains even until this day. Yes the siren of immorality, supported by leaders of the city, became a major part of the continuing destruction of the City once call the Queen of the South. Oh what stories the older buildings of this city could tell and how many prominent families of today would know the truth of the lives of their ancestors and yes of their lineage. However, we must remember that immorality comes in many forms and this is but one. Can we ever really destroy the world’s oldest profession? Illegal as It is even today, it can only be stopped if the customers’ names are disclosed along with the prostitutes themselves. Punishment must be in place for both parties. Yes, this siren can be controlled and the call can be eliminated, if but for the politicians who still will not take a stand. Oh so many sirens, so many issues.

THE ODYSSEY OF NEW ORLEANS

The Odyssey of literature, Ὀδύσσεια, is the story of the ten year voyage of Ulysses from Troy home to Ithaca and his family. The Odyssey of New Orleans is a much longer s story, beginning with its establishment by Jean Baptiste La Moyne, Sieur de Bienville in 1718. It was established because of its location and as a means of a way to control the wealth of the North American interior. Its location caused the French to refer to it as the “Isle d’Orleans” for indeed it was and it became both a cultural and physical island. As authors McNabb and Madere described it “New Orleans, then, began as a cultural as well as a physical island, an island poorly connected with the immediate hinterland, but with superb connections with the larger world. As an oasis of civilization in a hostile swamp, New Orleans came to feel itself a very special place. Having conquered the dismal swamp, New Orleans was confident of a brilliant future.”
Yes it was and still can be brilliant future, the resulting Odyssey of many cultures and ethnic groups – French, German, African, Italian, Irish, etc. However, as Odysseus and his men were intrigued by the Sirens of his story - Sailors who sailed near were compelled by the Sirens' enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast – so have the citizens of New Orleans been compelled by the promises and platitudes of policitians (modern day Sirens) which has resulted in the destruction of New Orleans. Katrina was not the cause of this city’s destruction but it was its leaders over the years that have caused the self destruction of this city with its once brilliant future. Now we are faced with the debacle and the daily recordation of death and mayhem.
From the days of its beginning, through the days of slavery and the reign of King Cotton, through the wars that have occurred over time, we are now faced with the war of hatred and contempt created by the leaders of this city, who have used and abused the citizens for years. Over the coming days and weeks, I will post looking at what I see as the various wars that have caused the destruction of the city that once had such a brilliant future.

NEW ORLEANS - THE GRAPES OF WRATH

During the closing days of the Mardi Gras season, my old lady (R.W. as you might know her) asked me why I did not wish to participate in the festivities and refused to leave the house. My response was simple – the tragedies of New Orleans and more. As I looked with gloom at the crowds, I could not fail to remember the novel I was forced to read so many years ago, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. That novel of the Joad family and their attempt to overcome the devastation of the Great Depression was one of the most sobering novels I have ever read. Faced with the reality of the destruction of their crops and the need to find a way to live and support themselves the Joad family takes to the road as they travel to what they believe will be safety and a new beginning – California. On the way they find people who are returning from California having found no relief, they lose family members, and suffer other tragedies but somehow they continue on. In the final chapters we see some semblance of a future and an understanding of what can be done. As Katrina flooded this city, the Joad family and others are faced with a deluge that makes their future even more uncertain. Anger will give them courage. The rain will return wealth to the land instead of dust. The death of a newborn infant and his subsequent placement in the swelling rivers becomes a sign to others of the suffering of so many. We also see one character realize that one can put himself or herself in the service of the collective good, and that a woman’s feeding a starving man in an unusual manner shows that generosity and self-sacrifice are the greatest of virtues. Yes there is much more to this novel. In that novel are references to the bible and much more. Yet at this time to me it shows the state of New Orleans and perhaps the nation.

I see New Orleans as a dustbowl of disrepect for life, a city filled with hate, a city of corruption, and a city seeking to revive in the midst of the tragedies of Katrina and those that occur each day. However, like those characters in the Grapes of Wrath, we must allow our anger to become a united courageous effort, we must put ourselves in the service of all, we must expand our own generosity and self-sacrifice in order to renew this city.

Today the City Council held once again a meeting in which the main issue turned to that of race. Race is like the dust of Oklahoma in the Great Depression. Dust destroyed the crops on which the people relied. Dust caused people to leave their homes for better opportunities. Ethnic background issues will destroy this city unless the leaders and the citizens will face the reality that race cannot be a deciding factor in any decisions that are made. I read the hate filled postings on various sites and discuss them with RW and others. Somehow, we must take this form of dust that is hiding a valuable city, it must be blown away by the voice of unison, the voice that says we are one in purpose and we will no longer be a divided city and we will join together to overcome the violence, the anger, the division that has continued to destroy this city for generations, even before Katrina. Perhaps then the bodies of infants, teenagers, and others will not lie on the streets of this city. Perhaps then education will improve. Students will be encouraged to learn. Clergy will lead by example and prayer. Parents will see that their children learn respect for others and for themselves. Elected official will see that they represent all, not a select few. Perhaps, you may call me naïve and foolish. I called myself a person with hope. Let us all hope together.

A NEW BEGINNING

Plato said: “Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.” In this city we call home there is a greater need for people to reach out to others in friendship and to offer hope. The time has come to learn from the evils of the past and to let them rest. To take what we have learned and to turn this city around is a goal that all citizens should seek. Therefore, on this day some call Mardi Gras, others Fat Tuesday, and others Shrove Tuesday, let us all strive to become refreshed during the days ahead and to unify in seeking the solutions to the problems. May we look at our actions, assess them, and correct them. May we hold out our hands in friendship to all. May we offer our help to all. May we begin to inspire others to do the same. Perhaps we can begin a renovation of this city.

AN ISSUE THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE SIMPLY NEW ORLEANS

EVEN IN FAITH THERE MAY BE EVIL
Today in the Times Picayune I read the story of Regnum Christi’s leader, the deceased Marcial Maciel Degollado. The history of this individual has long been questioned and now some of the truth has been admitted by those who have succeeded him in leadership of Regnum Christi.
Without a doubt, this has devastated the members of this program in our area and others. However, the immediate result is not a destruction of their faith but an assault by individuals who have long ago given up their faith in the Catholic Church and blamed it on the issue of pedophilia of some priests.
Having known many priests over the years, including those in the episcopacy, from my early childhood until today, I will state that at no time did anyone of them make any advances to me as a child or as an adult. Now, evidence will prove that this is not true in all cases. However, the immediate presumption that all priests are pedophiles or in violation of their vows is wrong.
In our society there are many religions that face the same problems as the Catholic Church but few of them are so vilified as the Catholic Church. One must wonder why?
Do I agree with the acts of some members of the episcopacy that violated the trust of the members of the church by hiding the acts of these men? NO!!!! They should have taken immediate action to remove them from their positions and advised the proper authorities IF there had been a violation of the law, particularly that of pedophilia. This is the major mistake that the Catholic Church’s leaders made.
Now, they are attempting to overcome this by an extensive and exhaustive method of try to assess all priests, deacons, religious, and volunteers in the parishes. The exhaustive method chosen is unfortunately demeaning to many – both those who are clergy and religious and those who are lay persons. However, it is an attempt to disclose facts but it is not a guarantee that these issues will not arise.
In the case of Regnum Christi, the Church failed a long time ago to listen to disclosures and to take the necessary actions. The members of the movement, many whom I know, are well meaning individuals of faith and leaders in their parishes. This disclosure cannot be used to criticize them or to characterize them in a demeaning manner. The Catholic Church must reach out to them and apologize for its failure to take actions which should have been taken some time ago. Will the Regnum Christi and the Legion of Christ be destroyed? I do not believe so.
However, it is time for the Catholic Church to analyze its requirement of celibacy for ordination to the priesthood. It is time to recognize that those who are married and those who are celibate may both serve the Church as priests as well as permanent deacons. As the original priests of the Church were both married and single, so should the priests, bishops, etc., of the Church today.
However, one must remember that even this will not eliminate the issue of pedophilia and adultery, etc. that exists today. We see it also in other faiths. However, this may give the church more men who are willing to be vocal about certain issues than those who are now priests. I remember telling one priest to report what he knew and his response was that it might ruin his “career”. The call to the religious life, the priesthood, the diaconate, etc. should not be viewed as a career but as a personal call to serve those who are in need, whatever that need may be. If anything, I hope this will be taken in the manner in which it is posed – food for thought by all.

Sir Walter Scott once stated: “A sound head, an honest heart, and an humble spirit are the three best guides through time and to eternity” He also stated: “Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive”. This week I have seen actions taken by the City Council, the resulting act of the Mayor, the legal decision relative to access by WWL-TV to public records, the failure of the Mayor and his staff to abide by the law, the order of Judge Ledet, the failure to abide by the order, the request for a contempt order, etc. In light of what I have read I can only say that the most applicable quote would be the second quote of Sir Walter Scott. The Mayor and his staff are weaving a tangled web which will further restrict the future of this city and the attempt of citizens to unite in an attempt to create a city which will welcome all. I have live through decades and not seen such hatred and contempt being expressed by the Mayor, his staff, and other of his supporters. This race baiting web of deceit is harmful to all people. One can only hope that justice will eventually result from the courts or a vote of the citizens of this city. It would be better, Mr. Mayor, if you were to follow the first quote above by Sir Walter Scott.

DO YOU HAVE THE ANSWERS?

Once again, I read the news and saw the continuation of the loss of life, not only in New Orleans but in surrounding communities. I checked my blog and discovered no one could answer the question I posed. I read on other posts about various clerics – the one in Austria who blamed Katrina on the moral status of New Orleans and the one in England who denied the holocaust. There were responses to those articles and many referred to the issue of pedophilia in Catholic clergy. Accurate, yes, but not the only issue that the Catholic Church and other denominations must face in this city of New Orleans. Why Catholicism can even be shown to have been racially divisive and discriminatory in Louisiana, and yes, New Orleans. Now, it will seek harmony, that which should have been in place for many decades. However, I blame the other denominations for the failure of harmony in this city also. Again I post the same basic question as to the cause of the loss of life and what has given such an impact to it in the city and the surrounding communities. What can we all do? I doubt that there will be any takers but there will be the anger posted elsewhere, an anger that must be smothered in order to create order out of the chaos that exists in New Orleans.

THE CAUSE OF HOMICIDES IN NEW ORLEANS

Well, I woke this morning to the pecking of RW on the keyboard. I need to send her to school to take course in use of the keyboard. They evidently didn’t teach her at that place on St. Charles. It was quite early and church services were not until later. I inquired as to her purpose and she roared about pay salaries of state employees and how much she was cheated out of because I made her retire. I reminded her that she made the choice and that she enjoyed her new job as a tour guide. She is still busy typing.
I took my laptop and checked the news. Yes, that woman has some valid points. However, I am more disturbed over the situation of New Orleans and the various crimes that have been occurring over the past few years. Floats are ready for parades, people are gathering at various sites throughout the area, and fun is on the minds of most. However, I believe that before the end of this day, death will have stalked the streets of New Orleans and blood will lie somewhere and destroy the celebrations of many.
I, myself, am trying to comprehend the cause of this disaster that continues to plague the city and now the surrounding parishes. Of course, we can blame it on Katrina and the resulting dispersion of so many. However, we cannot afford to blame it on any one ethnic group alone nor on Katrina. To me this is a result of generations of poverty, ignorance, immorality, lack of parental guidance, and yes lack of religious leadership. For the latter I will be highly criticized. Yet, history will show that religious leadership has failed to lead in the past and it has been a cause of the downfall of this city even today. Now that I have thrown this out to those who may read my missive, I would be interested in seeing some responses.