Nagin to New Orleans residents: Take to streets Aug. 29

[bywterbro]

Nagin to New Orleans residents: Take to streets Aug. 29
7/7/2007, 5:46 p.m. CDT
By BECKY BOHRER
The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Mayor Ray Nagin said residents should take to the streets of this still broken city on the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, demanding more federal help and attention. Nagin said he's doing all he can to move New Orleans' recovery ahead.

heres the rest of the article..
http://www.nola.com/newsflash/louisiana/index.ssf?/base/news-33/118384556118930.xml&storylist=louisiana

[rosetree]

"On that day" — Aug. 29 — "everybody in New Orleans should be calling a congressman or a senator," Nagin said during a town hall-style meeting on housing Saturday. "On that day, everybody in New Orleans should be calling the White House and asking to speak with Mr. Bush.

Yeah, on that day everyone should be calling City Hall and asking Mr Now-gone where the F he has been for the past two years! I'm so freakin' tired of the blame game, it just makes me sick. It gets to the point where I can't read it or watch it because it just the same old thing.:mad: I love this place, but some times it just gets to be too much...:(

[ScoopJohnD]

I pulled this from the article. You could try and try and you couldn't make up shit like this.......

He (Nagin) said he's stretching money and fighting to overcome New Orleans' reputation for political corruption, an obstacle to recovery.

Also at Saturday's meeting........indicted U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., who received hugs and kind words from well-wishers

[ScoopJohnD]

This is the transcript from Anderson Cooper after Nagin's State of the City address. Maybe the Amtrak issue has been resolved since then but I think the opinions of the correspondents carry as much weight now as they did a few months ago

COOPER (on camera): Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath revisited today by New Orleans' Mayor Ray Nagin. The crescent city's CEO, delivering his first state of the city address since the deadly storm.

His message that NOLA is on the road to recovery, only marginally reassuring with the lower Ninth Ward and much of his city still mired in devastation and neglect. And Nagin, perhaps predictably, fingered Washington for most of the blame.

We're keeping them honest tonight with Gulf Correspondent Susan Roesgen in New Orleans -- Susan.

SUSAN ROESGEN, CNN GULF COAST CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, this is the prepared state of the city speech that the mayor read tonight. In this speech he touted things like cleaner streets since Hurricane Katrina, less trash in the city's famous French Quarter, higher pay for police recruits.

But he also tonight blames state bureaucracy for holding up money that the city needs to recover. And he also did blame the federal government, President Bush by name, for not following through on promises made to help the city.

Now that was all in this prepared script. But then the mayor went off the script and really got going.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR RAY NAGIN, NEW ORLEANS: It's not our fault that the levees breached that the federal government built. It's not our fault that we were stranded and left. It's not our fault that the Road Home program only has issued 12 percent of the grants after almost two years. It's not our fault that our water system is leaking today. We need help. We need fairness. And we need it now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROESGEN: Now that really got the audience fired up. Almost all of them were invited guests of the mayor. But a couple people told me afterwards the mayor should do less blaming and more fixing.

So here is a reality check of where the city stands now, 21 months after Hurricane Katrina.

In terms of population, the latest statistics say we're at about 255,000. that's less than half of the pre-Katrina population.

FEMA trailers -- some 40,000 people in New Orleans still live in those FEMA trailers, down from 90,000 just after Hurricane Katrina hit.

Rebuilding -- the mayor mentioned that 12 percent for the Road Home program, said that was a really disappointingly low number. More than 140,000 people in Louisiana have applied for federal money through this Road Home program. And as we reported just a couple of nights ago, fewer than 20,000 people have actually gotten some money.

Health care -- just four out of eight New Orleans hospitals have reopened. And the number of beds is down by two-thirds since before Katrina.

And in terms of crime, outside of a hurricane, that is the one thing that is most scariest -- the scariest thing in this city right now is crime -- 78 murders so far. The latest was a cab driver who was shot to death just today, Anderson.

And Anderson, I talked to your friend, Captain Tony Canatello (ph), with the New Orleans Police Department. He says they're still down about 400 officers. Really need more people to fill that gap.

Tomorrow, the mayor's going to give his official hurricane plan for the city. But on that one, Anderson, you have to remember that the city still has not worked out a deal with Amtrak to get people with special needs out of town and they still don't have any firm commitments on shelters in the state, where people would go if they did evacuate.

COOPER: It's stunning that you say that about Amtrak because I mean, as you well know, that's one of the things, Amtrak offered up a train to the city the day before Hurricane Katrina hit, actually it was the Saturday before Katrina hit. Katrina hit on a Monday. The mayor's office declined that request for a 1,000-seat train. The train left empty from New Orleans. That could have taken out, you know, 1,000 people who were desperately in need. It's amazing that they don't have a deal yet.

ROESGEN: No, they still haven't crossed all the Ts and dotted all of the Is. The city's emergency director told me tonight that they would like to get that train to make like three different shuttle runs between New Orleans and Jackson, carrying 5,000 people out. But they can't go through with that until they get the actual agreement with Amtrak. COOPER: Unbelievable.

Susan, appreciate the reporting.

To get some further analysis on Mayor Nagin's address, I spoke earlier with Julia Reed, senior writer for "Vogue" magazine and a contributing editor at "Newsweek." She lives in New Orleans. We talked just after she heard Nagin speak.

By the way, you're going to hear some music in the background while she's speaking. It's coming for a reception for the mayor that was happening nearby.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Mayor Nagin says the state of the city of New Orleans is one of strength and determination. He said that he's got -- it's got stable and improving finances. What do you make of how he's saying things are?

JULIA REED, SENIOR WRITER, "VOGUE" MAGAZINE: Well, you know, we can only hope that we have stable and improving finances. I mean, the whole speech was one of slight exaggeration and optimism, but he didn't have a whole lot of good things to report as far as from his office because, you know, I've said it a lot, there are a lot of things to brag about in New Orleans recovery right now, but none of them emanate from the mayor's office and none of them have anything to do with him.

COOPER: The mayor talked about the state turning its back on New Orleans. Do you think that's true?

REED: Yes, I think that's absolutely true. It's the only point of his speech that I agreed with and wholeheartedly. And he really hammered it.

There's an unprecedented $3 billion surplus in Baton Rouge right now. The Road Home program, because of their mismanagement, is now $3 billion short. They could plunk the money into the Road Home program, they could plump it into health care services that we drastically need. We're talking about building new hospitals here, but that's going to take years and years. As this mayor said, we have a very serious shortage here in doctors and health care in general, but especially the mental health department. So the state should be thinking of ways to help us. So they've already forgotten about us.

COOPER: One of the things I'm struck by every time I still go back, is that it still seems to be boiling down to individuals standing up and making a difference and volunteers from church groups, from other parts of the country, and just the residents there, you know, saying enough is enough and banding together and doing stuff on their own. That seems to be the biggest sign of progress there. Is that accurate?

REED: That's absolutely accurate. And it's been a good thing because I -- you know, I complained before the storm that this city had the lowest level of civic activism and involvement than any big city I had ever been in. And it needed the most. So, the hurricane has turned that equation on its head and you've got citizens banning together.

The only neighborhoods that were really storm damaged that are rebuilding have done it on their own. I mean, the things that Ray touted the most in the speech was that we have a lemony fresh scented French Quarter. Well, I ain't so worried about how good the French Quarter smells. It's not supposed to smell good. It doesn't need to smell like a can of Pledge. I would rather like start to talking about, you know, what we can really do to fight crime around here.

I mean, you know, he announced his ongoing love for the city. He loves it more than ever. I don't know how he knows that because he is never here. He just got back from a globing warming conference.

I mean, even if you agree with Al Gore that global warming is the single worst problem facing the world, Ray is not the guy that needs to be addressing that right about now.

I mean, it's just ridiculous. So his speech was just, you know, isn't this wonderful, I love the city, everything is great, and Baton Route, you know, you're messing with us and turning your back on us. And, you know, end of the speech, saying it's not our fault, it's not our fault, it's not our fault. It was like a tent revival meeting.

Well, it wasn't our fault that we had a hurricane hit us, but you know, a lot of the problems here were exposed by the hurricane that has been the fault of elected officials and, you know, of sort of lazy citizenry for a long time.

The only good news in that speech tonight would have been if Ray Nagin announced his resignation. That would have brought the city into a collective standing ovation. I think he's got a 16 percent approval rating right now.

COOPER: Well, it certainly wasn't a surprise...

(CROSSTALK)

REED: Sadly, we re-elected him.

COOPER: It was an emotional way to end the speech. Certainly wasn't a surprise to hear politicians saying it's not our fault, it's not our fault, it's not our fault.

Hey, Julia, Julia Reed, appreciate it. We'll see you soon in New Orleans.

REED: Thank you so much.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[ohio]

I pulled this from the article. You could try and try and you couldn't make up shit like this.......


Xactly!
People are always asking me how things are in Nola, and man, that Julia Reed said exactly what I am always telling people (about RayNay)

[justagirl]

I think Nagin is an ass everytime he says "Mr. Bush", it's President Bush you non-existent waste of a Mayor. Arg. I'm not defending Bush, but he is the President of the United States...like it or not....

How has Nagin done all he could do? What has he done? I love this city and I don't want to leave here but sometimes I feel it's inevitable. The State of the City address was pathetic at best and this last comment is increadible.

If he's given up, maybe he should volunteerily leave office and let someone who cares be the Mayor of our great city.

And don't even get me started on Dollar Bill Jefferson...arg...how do these guys get re-elected?

I'm off my soap box to go out and fight the ignorance, one day at a time. (musical reference, Sun Pie said that to me one day...LOL)

[Carolina Beadhead]

Nagin to New Orleans residents: Take to streets Aug. 29
7/7/2007, 5:46 p.m. CDT
By BECKY BOHRER
The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Mayor Ray Nagin said residents should take to the streets of this still broken city on the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, demanding more federal help and attention. Nagin said he's doing all he can to move New Orleans' recovery ahead.

heres the rest of the article..
http://www.nola.com/newsflash/louisiana/index.ssf?/base/news-33/118384556118930.xml&storylist=louisiana

Wouldn't it be funny if, instead of sounding off about the Feds and the state gov. - although they surely deserve the flack, too - the people took to the streets on the anniversary to sound off about Nagin.

[ScoopJohnD]

Wouldn't it be funny if, instead of sounding off about the Feds and the state gov. - although they surely deserve the flack, too - the people took to the streets on the anniversary to sound off about Nagin.

It would be GREAT!!!!! I hope they do. Because now ol Ray is getting even more crass and insidious with his blame game. Now it's not only the feds and state fault, it's politicians and citizens who disagree with him.

"At some point in time, you as citizens of New Orleans have to say, 'Enough is enough, we've got to get together, and we've got to fire our bullets at the right targets.' Because the division that they see on the news is being used against us, and it hurts us when we're negotiating with HUD and we're negotiating with the state to get things done."

Pretty offensive in my opinion and a pretty digusting message. "Don't disagree with my policies cause if you do it hurts the city."

[mightyradgumbo]

Wouldn't it be funny if, instead of sounding off about the Feds and the state gov. - although they surely deserve the flack, too - the people took to the streets on the anniversary to sound off about Nagin.

I was thinking the same thing myself Sue. That would be a riot if New Orleanians railed against No C. Ray. I agree that the Feds need a boot in the azz as well but Nagin needs to realize he is part of the problem not the solution if he is acts more like a whiny brat than a mayor.

[Corona]

Exactly...that day has come and gone...he should have become part of the solution long ago...like his people have...they don't have time for whining cuz they're too busy busting their asses to rebuild the city...it's time for him to follow their lead:mad:

[pokerchick66]

I agree with each and every one of your posts wholeheartedly!

And this guy wants to run for governor? He needs to be flogged about the head and shoulders.

:mad:

[NYMAMA]

I agree with each and every one of your posts wholeheartedly!

And this guy wants to run for governor? He needs to be flogged about the head and shoulders.

:mad:

I think he is trying to do some damage controll before he runs for govenor. But there is no damage control that can make that horses ass look good.

Just my 2cents

[Frosty]

Concerning the below: I am curious, where would the people go if they had taken the Amtrak train? Also, how many of them would have voluntarily gone if this option were available? Let's remember, this was an evacuation for a couple of days until the storm past. From everything I've heard from news reports, interviews, and friends, being holed up in the Dome and Convention Center as the storm passed was no worse than being in Hattiesburg or Jackson. The differences only coming after the catastrophic engineering failures which occured AFTER the storm had passed.


COOPER: It's stunning that you say that about Amtrak because I mean, as you well know, that's one of the things, Amtrak offered up a train to the city the day before Hurricane Katrina hit, actually it was the Saturday before Katrina hit. Katrina hit on a Monday. The mayor's office declined that request for a 1,000-seat train. The train left empty from New Orleans. That could have taken out, you know, 1,000 people who were desperately in need. It's amazing that they don't have a deal yet.

ROESGEN: No, they still haven't crossed all the Ts and dotted all of the Is. The city's emergency director told me tonight that they would like to get that train to make like three different shuttle runs between New Orleans and Jackson, carrying 5,000 people out. But they can't go through with that until they get the actual agreement with Amtrak. COOPER: Unbelievable.

[AtPontchartrain]

Concerning the below: I am curious, where would the people go if they had taken the Amtrak train? Also, how many of them would have voluntarily gone if this option were available? Let's remember, this was an evacuation for a couple of days until the storm past. From everything I've heard from news reports, interviews, and friends, being holed up in the Dome and Convention Center as the storm passed was no worse than being in Hattiesburg or Jackson. The differences only coming after the catastrophic engineering failures which occured AFTER the storm had passed.


COOPER: It's stunning that you say that about Amtrak because I mean, as you well know, that's one of the things, Amtrak offered up a train to the city the day before Hurricane Katrina hit, actually it was the Saturday before Katrina hit. Katrina hit on a Monday. The mayor's office declined that request for a 1,000-seat train. The train left empty from New Orleans. That could have taken out, you know, 1,000 people who were desperately in need. It's amazing that they don't have a deal yet.

ROESGEN: No, they still haven't crossed all the Ts and dotted all of the Is. The city's emergency director told me tonight that they would like to get that train to make like three different shuttle runs between New Orleans and Jackson, carrying 5,000 people out. But they can't go through with that until they get the actual agreement with Amtrak. COOPER: Unbelievable.

I don't think that factual dispute about whether there was an Amtrak offering in 2005 has ever been set straight. Amtrak after K said they had offered trains, but Nagin said they hadn't ... and honestly, who would have had time to arrange such a thing? I do know one senior citizen who called Amtrak on Sat. and was told the trains were full. Today, it's that inability to complete a deal two years later that should have heads rolling.

[Frosty]

I don't think that factual dispute about whether there was an Amtrak offering in 2005 has ever been set straight. Amtrak after K said they had offered trains, but Nagin said they hadn't ... and honestly, who would have had time to arrange such a thing? I do know one senior citizen who called Amtrak on Sat. and was told the trains were full. Today, it's that inability to complete a deal two years later that should have heads rolling.


Oh, I agree. It's the aftermath where there is plenty of blame for everyone.