E Mail from Doctor John

[Belle]

Hello Lynda,


Dr. John here from my backyard in Nawlins. I like sittin' here and I hate havin' to evacuate to some place I don't wanna' be. We never even heard that word growing up here. That's because we used to be safe until somebody stole our wetlands. That's the only thing been protecting us all these years and we gotta' put 'em back out there so I don't gotta' get up and go over and over again.

I tell you, the good doctor's got a cure for fixin' those wetlands…collect the money from the oil companies who destroyed over half of them, and use it to let our mighty Mississippi do its thing, build land, au naturale.

For some reason though Shell and their friends in the industry don't think they owe anything, so we gotta' let them know we're wise to 'em and want action now. A good place to let them know is at this year's Jazz Fest. Shell acts like it's their fest now, but our Jazz Fest did just fine for decades without 'em.

So we gonna' be flying a plane around the Fairgrounds draggin' a banner "Shell Hear The Music - Fix The Coast You Broke!" Come on out to the Fest and wave at it with me. I'd appreciate if you'd contribute to keep the plane flying as long as possible at http://www.healthygulf.org/shellpays Every single tax deductible dollar will go to more airtime for more eyeballs. So join me and Mr. Bill and Gulf Restoration Network and many others to send this message to Shell. I'll be tossin some of my gris gris on the grounds, too.

Love and posterity for all y'all,

Dr. John



Dr. John is universally celebrated as the living embodiment of the rich musical heritage of New Orleans. He is a four-time Grammy award winner, and after Hurricane Katrina and government bunglers bashed New Orleans in 2005, Dr. John immediately stepped up to the plate with both generous relief fund-raising concerts and recordings and angry public words of protest. One of the Crescent City's most favored sons, Dr. John is committed to speaking the truth about what needs to be done to help New Orleans come back. In 2008, he released the album "City That Care Forgot," which deals with various aspects of post-Katrina New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. In 2009, "City That Care Forgot" won the Grammy for "Best Contemporary Blues Album." It is considered to be his finest recording in twenty years.

The Gulf Restoration Network is a diverse network of local, regional, and national groups and individuals dedicated to protecting and restoring the valuable resources of the Gulf of Mexico. The GRN has members in the five Gulf states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Don't worry, the GRN will never sell or share your information. To unsubscribe, visit this site.

The Gulf Restoration Network is proud to partner with Dr. John and filmmaker Walter Williams in our efforts to establish oil industry acccountability for our coast.

[Jim]

Right Place, Right Time!

[ohio]

Just got that as well!

[Belle]

I wonder how it will feel with an airplane in the air at Fest draggin a banner but man oh man it could send a huge message. Embarass the bastids.

[Amyloves...]

In this year of the shit economy when some fests are cancelled completely, I feel a little odd about thumbing noses at Shell if they've had a part in keeping this amazing event afloat.

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

In this year of the shit economy when some fests are cancelled completely, I feel a little odd about thumbing noses at Shell if they've had a part in keeping this amazing event afloat.

and Shell helped out as a major sponsor after the storm.

[Amyloves...]

and Shell helped out as a major sponsor after the storm.

Which was a HUGE emotional and financial boost here at a beyond bad time.

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

Someone will have to explain to me how Shell "Broke the Coast".
I worked 13 years on a production platform for Chevron USA back
in the 70s/80s. We were not harming the coast.
To close to Fess for me to start getting political. Sorry, but I do not
agree with Dr John on this issue.
Thanks, Fred

[Carolina Beadhead]

I wonder how it will feel with an airplane in the air at Fest draggin a banner but man oh man it could send a huge message. Embarass the bastids.

They've done it for the past 3 or 4 fests...

[Belle]

They've done it for the past 3 or 4 fests...

Musta missed it. Sponsoring is good PR for Shell

The wetlands destruction has more than one guilty party for sure.

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

building levees on the Mississippi River were a major factor

[Jim]

In this year of the shit economy when some fests are cancelled completely, I feel a little odd about thumbing noses at Shell if they've had a part in keeping this amazing event afloat.

While I'm glad that Shell has helped out with keeping Jazzfest alive(although sponsorship isn't done solely for altruistic reasons) there is no doubt that saving the wetlands is a much higher priority than saving Jazzfest. Shell is not the only guilty party. It's my understanding that many oil and gas companies contributed to the destruction by building hundreds of canals through the marsh in order to have easy access to their wells. This allowed salt water in, and, by some estimates, is responsible for up to 30% of the wetlands destruction. Whether these companies knew of the consequenses of their actions at the time doesn't negate the fact that they made billions of dollars by doing it.

[Hernando Red]

Musta missed it. Sponsoring is good PR for Shell

The wetlands destruction has more than one guilty party for sure.

The Corp of Engineers are a big part of the problem due to the way they constructed levee system. The levees don't allow for controlled flooding, so the silt and sediment that helped build the wetlands no longer replenishes them.

That said, it's hard not to blame the oil companies as well. They only care about their profits.

I support the good doctor's email.

[ohio]

In this year of the shit economy when some fests are cancelled completely, I feel a little odd about thumbing noses at Shell if they've had a part in keeping this amazing event afloat.
That's what PR is all about- putting on a good public face so folks ignore the downside. I don't know if Shell is doing damage or not. But if it's indeed a choice between Fest and saving the wetlands, how can any gulfcoast resident side with Shell? Compromise and mitigation is what's needed here. VOW will tell you that canals and pipelines built by big oil are causing horrendous errosion and loss of wetlands. They also say if the feds would just give LA it's fair share of oil & gas tax revenue, the wetlands could be restored.

[Amyloves...]

I'm not siding with Shell and don't even pretend to comprehend the many factors that caused the problem...just saying what i feel.

[ohio]

I'm not siding with Shell and don't even pretend to comprehend the many factors that caused the problem...just saying what i feel.I hear ya 'loves. Guess I'm just saying don't be taken in by the fact they sponsor Fest. Just saying what I feel too :~)

[BigDag]

While I'm glad that Shell has helped out with keeping Jazzfest alive(although sponsorship isn't done solely for altruistic reasons) there is no doubt that saving the wetlands is a much higher priority than saving Jazzfest. Shell is not the only guilty party. It's my understanding that many oil and gas companies contributed to the destruction by building hundreds of canals through the marsh in order to have easy access to their wells. This allowed salt water in, and, by some estimates, is responsible for up to 30% of the wetlands destruction. Whether these companies knew of the consequenses of their actions at the time doesn't negate the fact that they made billions of dollars by doing it.

I don't see this as a black and white issue. As a marketer, and a lover of New Orleans/Jazzfest, I was initially concerned about Shell's sponsorship of the festival. Jazzfest needed Shell at that time, and may still need them now. Without Shell, Jazzfest, as we know it, may not have happened in 2006.

But Shell certainly could have been more present than they have been during this period. If I were in charge of Shell's marketing department, I would have made sure that their logo was everywhere you looked. It hasn't been that way. Shell has been in the background, in the shadows.

What Shell has to do with the erosion of the the wetlands is another debate. I am not qualified to give an opinion on that issue. What I do know is that the festival itself, as we know it now, is indebted to Shell for its survival. And Shell did not exact an adequate price for their sponsorship.

[mrSteve]

The wetlands destruction has more than one guilty party for sure.

Lots of hands belong in that fire.

[steeleye]

I loves me some Dr. John, and I'm sure he's kept a residence in NO, but doesn't he spend most of his time now on Long Island? I'm just sayin'

[Lostcajun]

My thought is that partnerships work much more effectively than the "us and them" approach. The Threadhead Nation is a great example of that. Very few things will get done in our country until we get past our appetite for despising others, despising companies, despising our country, despising people from another race, or another political party, or despising capitalists or socialists, etc.

I believe that everyone has a responsibility to work together rather than against one another. Companies are made up of real people, and people can be influenced to join in causes that make a difference.

Now, back to obsessing over the music and all the friends I get to see in just a few days. Love to all, even those who think (or know) I'm a nut!!!!!

[pokerchick66]

My thought is that partnerships work much more effectively than the "us and them" approach. The Threadhead Nation is a great example of that. Very few things will get done in our country until we get past our appetite for despising others, despising companies, despising our country, despising people from another race, or another political party, or despising capitalists or socialists, etc.

I believe that everyone has a responsibility to work together rather than against one another. Companies are made up of real people, and people can be influenced to join in causes that make a difference.

Now, back to obsessing over the music and all the friends I get to see in just a few days. Love to all, even those who think (or know) I'm a nut!!!!!

I'm glad to know you.

[Stella Blue]

Am I missing something here? I mean, I think this is a great, worthy and incredibly important cause, but doesn't Dr. John get paid for his performances at Jazz Fest? And isn't Shell a major sponsor? Is this a case of taking the money but railing against the system anyway?
Hmm. I sure hope I AM missing something...

[Lostcajun]

I think when people get emotional about most any issue (me included), it's easier to blow up a bridge, than to build one...

[Lostcajun]

And may I say that we should all be emotional about the wetlands and the Louisiana coast, but we should react in constructive ways... people have much more power than they realize, might as well use it to inspire and influence ... everyone, even those who work in companies and governments, can be inspired!

[Staxsun]

I wonder how it will feel with an airplane in the air at Fest draggin a banner but man oh man it could send a huge message. Embarass the bastids.

For many years Pre-K there were several airplanes that flew over Fest. The most prominent was the one advertising 'Hand Grenades'.

[windowman]

They've done it for the past 3 or 4 fests...

Musta missed it. Sponsoring is good PR for Shell

The wetlands destruction has more than one guilty party for sure.

While I'm glad that Shell has helped out with keeping Jazzfest alive(although sponsorship isn't done solely for altruistic reasons) there is no doubt that saving the wetlands is a much higher priority than saving Jazzfest. Shell is not the only guilty party. It's my understanding that many oil and gas companies contributed to the destruction by building hundreds of canals through the marsh in order to have easy access to their wells. This allowed salt water in, and, by some estimates, is responsible for up to 30% of the wetlands destruction. Whether these companies knew of the consequenses of their actions at the time doesn't negate the fact that they made billions of dollars by doing it.

I loves me some Dr. John, and I'm sure he's kept a residence in NO, but doesn't he spend most of his time now on Long Island? I'm just sayin'

And may I say that we should all be emotional about the wetlands and the Louisiana coast, but we should react in constructive ways... people have much more power than they realize, might as well use it to inspire and influence ... everyone, even those who work in companies and governments, can be inspired!

A lot of good and wise thinking in this thread. If any of you have heard Dr. John in interviews or comment during shows after Katrina, you know that he is very upset and can get pretty emotional about his feelings regarding what did and did not happen to contribute to the disaster. I applaud him for putting his name out in order to remind us that there is a lot of blame involved in the levee system and the loss of the wetlands, but I do find some hypocracy in just calling out a single oil company that is a jazzfest sponsor and then getting paid to play. I have to wonder if he really signed off on this. It seems a bit off-kilter to me.

[Lostcajun]

It is possible that it is not from him, the way it is written is almost like someone else wrote it to sound like Dr. John.

I do think the topic is very important. In my opinion the issue should be how can be band together to restore the wetlands, rather than how can we band together to bash whoever.

[NOLA]

I have to wonder if he really signed off on this. It seems a bit off-kilter to me.

I agree, but the good doctor sometimes seems a bit off-kilter too....

Plenty of blame to go around on the loss of wetlands issue. Most important now is implementing the ideas that have been developed to restore the wetlands.....it is time for less talk and more action.

[NOLA]

I do think the topic is very important. In my opinion the issue should be how can be band together to restore the wetlands, rather than how can we band together to bash whoever.

Absofrigginloutely....

[swag]

It is possible that it is not from him, the way it is written is almost like someone else wrote it to sound like Dr. John.



Well, here it is in the doc's own voice:

Dr. John backs Shell-scolding plane that will fly over Jazz Fest
Posted by Keith Spera

Dr. John did not expend all his post-Katrina outrage on his 2008 "City That Care Forgot" CD. On a new YouTube post (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yTlnaw_l2E), he speaks out against oil companies that damaged Louisiana's wetlands with canals and pipelines.

He urges fans to help fund a plane that will tow a banner over the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival present by Shell. The banner's message is aimed directly at the festival's presenting sponsor: "Shell, Hear The Music - Fix The Coast You Broke."


The campaign's primary supporter is filmmaker Walter Williams, creator of the "Mr. Bill" claymation character from "Saturday Night Live," and the Gulf Restoration Network, a coalition of local, regional, and national groups and individuals "dedicated to protecting and restoring the valuable resources of the Gulf of Mexico."

In his drowsy, heavily accented voice, Rebennack suggests allowing the Mississippi River to flood and rebuild wetlands. He also argues that Shell and other oil companies should bear much of the cost.

"For some reason, Shell and their friends in the industry don't think they owe anything," Rebennack says in the video. "We got to let 'em know we hip to 'em. We want some action and want some action now. A good place to let 'em know is this year's Jazz Fest. Shell acts like it's their fest now, but we can let 'em know we did just fine for decades without their help."

Shell Exploration & Production Co. signed on as presenting corporate sponsor for the 2006 Jazz Fest, the first after Hurricane Katrina. Festival producer/director Quint Davis said at the time that the festival might have shrunk to only one weekend -- or been canceled altogether -- if Shell had not stepped up as a major sponsor. The company's initial two year sponsorship deal has been extended.

When Rebennack performs at Jazz Fest on May 2, he says he'll be "tossin' some of my gris gris on the grounds, too."

http://blog.nola.com/keithspera/2009/04/dr_john_urges_fans_to_support.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yTlnaw_l2E

[Lostcajun]

Actually, it would be interesting to do some fact finding, rather than making assumptions. I wonder what Shell is already doing to have a positive impact on the wetlands? It is very possible that they have made some significant contributions and perhaps have people working on it. One of my sons is working on Environmental Science degree and he has friends that are graduating and are starting jobs with oil companies. Part of their work is to protect and part of it is restoration.

[Lostcajun]

I surfed to shell.com and typed in wetlands in their search box:

Shell and America's WETLAND Campaign

But it's not too late to save the seventh largest delta on earth and Shell is helping out because the welfare of our employees and the communities in which they live and work is fundamental to our approach to business. As World Sponsor of the America's WETLAND campaign, Shell is committed to raising awareness about the impact of the wetlands loss and supporting efforts to save coastal Louisiana.

http://www.americasenergycoast.org/

Looks like they fund wetlands research at LSU and Rice University.

I am trying to sift through their information to discover what they are doing directly to work on the environment as well. I do know they are required to protect and restore current drilling sites based on EPA requirements. I have personally been part of well-site restorations in Southwest Louisiana and a lot of protection is required during drilling and production and stringent testing is require when the sites are completely returned to their natural habitat (in our case these are "rice fields")

Not sure how interested we are in all this, but the wetlands are important. Shell just might be doing more than we imagine, if they are not then I encourage people to influence and inspire the people of Shell and the citizens of South Louisiana, and our leaders in Federal Government to do more of the right things to bring it back. I wonder if that means that the levee system needs to be completely re-imagined as well!?!??

[Phatpapa]

Hello Lynda,


Dr. John here from my backyard in Nawlins. I like sittin' here and I hate havin' to evacuate to some place I don't wanna' be. We never even heard that word growing up here. That's because we used to be safe until somebody stole our wetlands. That's the only thing been protecting us all these years and we gotta' put 'em back out there so I don't gotta' get up and go over and over again.

I tell you, the good doctor's got a cure for fixin' those wetlands…collect the money from the oil companies who destroyed over half of them, and use it to let our mighty Mississippi do its thing, build land, au naturale.

For some reason though Shell and their friends in the industry don't think they owe anything, so we gotta' let them know we're wise to 'em and want action now. A good place to let them know is at this year's Jazz Fest. Shell acts like it's their fest now, but our Jazz Fest did just fine for decades without 'em.

So we gonna' be flying a plane around the Fairgrounds draggin' a banner "Shell Hear The Music - Fix The Coast You Broke!" Come on out to the Fest and wave at it with me. I'd appreciate if you'd contribute to keep the plane flying as long as possible at http://www.healthygulf.org/shellpays Every single tax deductible dollar will go to more airtime for more eyeballs. So join me and Mr. Bill and Gulf Restoration Network and many others to send this message to Shell. I'll be tossin some of my gris gris on the grounds, too.

Love and posterity for all y'all,

Dr. John



Dr. John is universally celebrated as the living embodiment of the rich musical heritage of New Orleans. He is a four-time Grammy award winner, and after Hurricane Katrina and government bunglers bashed New Orleans in 2005, Dr. John immediately stepped up to the plate with both generous relief fund-raising concerts and recordings and angry public words of protest. One of the Crescent City's most favored sons, Dr. John is committed to speaking the truth about what needs to be done to help New Orleans come back. In 2008, he released the album "City That Care Forgot," which deals with various aspects of post-Katrina New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. In 2009, "City That Care Forgot" won the Grammy for "Best Contemporary Blues Album." It is considered to be his finest recording in twenty years.

The Gulf Restoration Network is a diverse network of local, regional, and national groups and individuals dedicated to protecting and restoring the valuable resources of the Gulf of Mexico. The GRN has members in the five Gulf states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Don't worry, the GRN will never sell or share your information. To unsubscribe, visit this site.

The Gulf Restoration Network is proud to partner with Dr. John and filmmaker Walter Williams in our efforts to establish oil industry acccountability for our coast.

I need to ask how you received this letter from the good Dr, Lynda?

[ohio]

I need to ask how you received this letter from the good Dr, Lynda?
https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/713/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=4623

[Phatpapa]

https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/713/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=4623

Thanks, buddy ;)

[Hollyhawk]

saveourwetlands.org and Tab Benoit has a site too

[sophisticated sissy]

None of us know what Dr. John will do with the money he earns from his set at the Fest. Maybe he'll donate it all to a wetlands group. Maybe he will spend all of it on keeping the plane and banner aloft. I'm glad Mac is speaking out.

It's kind of ironic that keeping the plane in the air will put more cash in the oil companies pockets due to the purchase of aviation fuel. I'd like to see a greener way of bringing the issue of wetlands degradation to light, but I hope the sight of the plane at JF will cause people to think and ask some questions.

This is like some dysfunctional family where Aunt Lou is raped by Uncle Derrick. He manages to gain control of her bank accounts and finances, but he takes all the kids out and treats them to an ice cream cone on Sundays.

The first time I was in Louisiana was in 1976. I went all the way south to the Gulf. I can tell you that there were land masses I set foot on back then that have disappeared.

The United States spends more money on wetlands protection in The Mid East than on preserving our own gems here at home. What we decide to do in the next 50 years will determine what future generations will see when they visit the Gulf Coast. If we continue with business as usual, 150 years from now we might see the Jazz Fest presented by Shell ...






... in Memphis.

[Lostcajun]

saveourwetlands.org and Tab Benoit has a site too

The save our wetlands site is extremely confusing to me. Perhaps I need help navigating their approach to addressing the issue. They seem to be heavy on a lot of other issues (with some conspiracy theories) that are outside the wetlands issue.

voiceofthewetlands.org was much more easy to understand, less militant and more informative. Tab Benoit seems to have done a good job keeping his site focused on getting people involved in partnering to get something done.

[innertube]

did somebody call for the good Dr.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu4Fg5Me-z0

a couple years ago i went to see the Night tripper open for Govt Mule, and it was great!!!....toward the end of the show he went off...about who stole the Katrina money and the war...."sending off our children to die for black gold", something along those lines...again great show and i have a copy of the show downloaded from some place...anyway its all good...if he can get people talking and thinking about the coast...what else is there..when you mess with nature...strange things can happen........

[Zydekitten]

I received the e-mail also (as I regularly get e-mails/newsletters from the Gulf Restoration Network) and I agree with many here that the issue of the wetlands is a complex, multi-layered one that has taken many generations and causal factors to get us to where we are today.

I am glad that Shell has worked at being a good member of the community, but would like to see it do more to help restore the wetlands, which would benefit them too.

However, I don't know that flying a plane with a snarky banner is an effective way to encourage them to do that. I'm just sayin' (and I'm no fan of Big Oil, by any means) . . .

[Lostcajun]

Well said kitten, I don't think giving anyone the finger which is kinda what the plane over fest is, really moves people forward. I've thought the money that it cost to fly the plane could be better used on recruiting people to help.... or perhaps use the plane for a recruiting slogan like "Help VoiceOfTheWetlands.org........"

[pokerchick66]

The save our wetlands site is extremely confusing to me. Perhaps I need help navigating their approach to addressing the issue. They seem to be heavy on a lot of other issues (with some conspiracy theories) that are outside the wetlands issue.

voiceofthewetlands.org was much more easy to understand, less militant and more informative. Tab Benoit seems to have done a good job keeping his site focused on getting people involved in partnering to get something done.

Totally agree! God bless Tab.

[saturn]

Totally agree! God bless Tab.

I am going to see him tonight. I will pass on that message. :D

[pokerchick66]

I am going to see him tonight. I will pass on that message. :D

Ahhhhhh! I am so jealous. Give him a big smooch for me. :D

[Lostcajun]

Give him a smooch on the lips for me (he he)

[pokerchick66]

Give him a smooch on the lips for me (he he)

lollllllll

[revjimk]

Pokerchick & Lostcajun
Tongue???
rev

[Lostcajun]

I'll leave the tongue thing with Tab to Saturn's discretion or lack there of...

[pokerchick66]

Pokerchick & Lostcajun
Tongue???
rev

I don't kiss and tell. ;)

[Belle]

Some interesting reading here directly related to New Orleans groups we all know of.

http://truevoiceofthewetlands.org/controlla.html

[jeanvi]

Someone will have to explain to me how Shell "Broke the Coast".
I worked 13 years on a production platform for Chevron USA back
in the 70s/80s. We were not harming the coast.
To close to Fess for me to start getting political. Sorry, but I do not
agree with Dr John on this issue.
Thanks, Fred

I know this forum is all about love & not about politics, but I gotta strongly disagree w/ Fred, the Dr. is correct!
Gas & oil companies are responsible for dredging numerous canals through the wetlands for their pipelines, which we all need, but which severely contributes to the continued deterioration of the wetlands.

I am thrilled to see this issue finally brought up on the bored though. For more info check out voiceofthewetlands.com....

[Lostcajun]

I think there is NO DOUBT that the work in the marches from oil exploration has been detrimental. I think there is NO DOUBT the levee system has been detrimental. I think there is NO DOUBT that we can accomplish much working together with the Oil Companies and the Government, but we have to do all of it with our eyes wide open. I like Tabs site for sure.

[jeanvi]

went to Voice of the Wetlands festival in Houma, La in '07. LOVED it...highly reccommend if you're a fan of Tab Benoit, zydeco, blues, roots. Great folks, music, food, & MESSAGE.
Got a chance to see the bayous & wetlands up close, took a 1/2 hour plane ride from Houma to the gulf, the pilot relating stories of places he grew up that were now under water as we flew over. (Hammond Air)
It really hits home to see miles of dead cyprus trees in water, where a forest was less than a generation ago...

This year's VOW fest is Oct 9-11

[jeanvi]

"Bayou Farewell" by Mike Tidwell, a great, very visual, MUST read for anyone interested in the area/issue. Sure Cellar Stories has it next to LMF. He followed it up w/ "The Ravaging Tide", post-K.

"The Katrina Puzzle: America's Disgrace" by Robert Redmond, self-published (& at times badly edited), this book is a conspiracist's dream. Made alot of logical sense to me...worth finding.

[rosetree]

It looks like the good DR. has had a good talking to by someone...
He is "clarifying" his position...

http://blog.nola.com/keithspera/2009/04/dr_john_clarifies_his_position.html

:confused:

[Lostcajun]

Words really do matter. Music I think can bring out the best in us. My hope is that it will keep people coming to South Louisiana and celebrating, and paying the musicians and funding a new future that is about "us," rather than "us and them."

[BigDag]

It looks like the good DR. has had a good talking to by someone...
He is "clarifying" his position...

http://blog.nola.com/keithspera/2009/04/dr_john_clarifies_his_position.html

:confused:

Mac is a victim; as are many of his contemporaries. He has always been very emotional. I wouldn't begin to judge him upon what he said, or his reflections afterwards. Par for the course in New Orleans these days.

We're so close to Fest, all I gotta say is Laissez Les Bon Tempts Roulez!

[rosetree]

Mac is a victim; as are many of his contemporaries. He has always been very emotional. I wouldn't begin to judge him upon what he said, or his reflections afterwards. Par for the course in New Orleans these days.

We're so close to Fest, all I gotta say is Laissez Les Bon Tempts Roulez!

Oh, don't get me wrong, I think that what he said in his rebuttal is true. I just wish that he would have said that in the beginning. He has been great for bringing attention to the problem. I just wished that he read the statement before it aired and spoke in his own words instead of someone's "party line". Some things you can't take back.....

[Lostcajun]

I should be able to sit next to someone with a completely opposing view, and should offer them respect. As an idealist my hope is that they would sense that as they lay out their most impassioned ideas. My hope is that they would allow me to do the same. And then that we discuss: "We know how we differ, let's look at how we can work together." I will always bang that drum all day long, because eventually when I play with someone else we just might be able to make some music together.... let the fest begin!

[mightyradgumbo]

While much of the damage done to the wetlands has been done by oil companies, it is true that they are now trying to work on restoration. I wholeheartedly agree that Shell did a huge part in saving JF after the storm. While it may have been a PR move, it was a PR move that did a lot of good to an emotionally and financially stricken city.
Without Shell we would not have not been able to as Quint said "witness the healing power of music".

While I respect Mac and Tab and others involved politically in the fight to maintain the wetlands, they have to be aware of the fact that many people listen to the "celebrity" preaching. So they have a responsibility to make sure what they are saying is what they mean. Anyone who has seen Mac on his soapbox knows that he is one of the most impassioned people in this whole fray. He, Tab, Anders and others who form the VOW musical coalition have done a great deal to raise awareness. It is the peoples' job to continue it and manage the political landscape to the proper conclusion.

/Gumbo stepping down off his soapbox/

[Lostcajun]

Well said, hey, aren't you the new mayor?

[Moon]

I applaud Shell for what they've done for JazzFest and by all accounts, their man there in New Orleans is a model corporate citizen.

Having said that, I think it's important to point out that we are living proof these days that years of un-regulated and un-bridled capitalism leads to disaster. History has shown time and time again that these people aren't going to do the right thing unless someone holds their feet to the fire. Kudos to Dr.John for reminding us of that.

Right place, right time? You god dammed right.