With friends like FEMA, who needs Jim Crow?
Good one, Benjamin.
Posted by David in Canada on Nov 17, 2005 at 11:29 PM
Just came across your site on the net and I had to respond. Benjamin Greenberg’s article goes to the heart of what is wrong with our country and my city, New Orleans. If residents of New Orleans cannot take the personal responsibilty to educate themselves on election issues then why do we want those people determining the future of this city. I happen to be one of those “white district” residents and am considering running for the city council of New Orleans because of the pathetic leadership that we have had to endure for decades.
It is not an issue of race as Mr. Greenberg puts it, but an issue of desire. Those of us who want to work and bring our city back are doing just that. Black and white residents together are here working. There are not many residents here holding out their hand demanding that the government take care of them. Those days I pray have been washed out with the flood waters. If you want to vote in the citywide election, then figure out a way to get your ballot casted. Voting is a right that carries with it a huge responsibility and the responsibility to vote is not one of the government or interest groups but one of the INDIVIDUAL. Maybe we can finally get leaders elected who do not have fleets of buses bringing robots to the poles every election while telling them who to vote for. The black population in New Orleans has been used for decades by the black leaders themselves who want to keep the city poor and stupid. Hopefully Katrina WILL make an new New Orleans and personal responsibility will be the foundation for which it is built
G. Waguespack
Posted by Wolfew on Nov 18, 2005 at 9:46 AM
If residents of New Orleans cannot take the personal responsibilty to educate themselves on election issues then why do we want those people determining the future of this city.
Because they live there, and most of the people you hope to represent do not.
<blockquote>
I happen to be one of <b>those
Posted by Major Major on Nov 18, 2005 at 5:55 PM
I wasn’t going to respond upon reading your post however I am concerned about you tripping and taking that huge plunge when you decide to climb down off of the ivory tower(please watch your step). The theoretical diatribe you presented is a great lesson for a high school civics class. However what you do not understand is that we(that would be the “we” who actually are living in New Orleans) may be the only ones who remain in the city. I’d like to know what crystal ball you are viewing which tells you which residents are going to come back to the city and which ones are not.
As far as the residents who “receive” substandard education, wages…, well shame on the political powers running this city and shame on the residents for continuously voting these jokers in. It is obvious that you have some problem with demanding responsible behavior from individuals. We(there’s that darn “we” again) had better hope that returning residents of New Orleans reject the “give me” mentality and adopt a proactive “get it done” mentality or this city will wither on the vine.
Oh and by the way, I have been called a lot of things in my life, but never a quad pound sign. I appreciate the compliment.
Posted by Wolfew on Nov 19, 2005 at 12:41 PM
Hee Hee, this one bites, Major.
Actually Rabbit can’t say as he had any problem with Wolfew’s position. Rabbit had a slightly different view but for once would have to defer to the local knowledge. Being a Rabbit from OZ and all.
It is hard to get over the feeling that the whole thing has been used, if not even set up, to displace the large proportion of poor and black from New Orleans, to the benefit of investment in the medium term. Rabbit sees no way to equate such as Wolfew as being in any way connected to such forces and from thence is led consider his words from their own perspective and they sound like an admirable way forward.
Is it Wolfew’s intention to build a New Orleans which does take a humane and intelligent approach to supporting those who will always be around? Those who are for whatever reasons rendered unable to support themselves either temporarily or permanently?
The question is basically, is this a socialist or fascist plan? Rabbit uses these terms only as poles of reference. To which pole do we tend? Both can speak as you have, Mr Wolfew.
Posted by Rabbit on Nov 22, 2005 at 5:16 PM
Reader Comments
With friends like FEMA, who needs Jim Crow?
Good one, Benjamin.
Posted by David in Canada on Nov 17, 2005 at 11:29 PM
Just came across your site on the net and I had to respond. Benjamin Greenberg’s article goes to the heart of what is wrong with our country and my city, New Orleans. If residents of New Orleans cannot take the personal responsibilty to educate themselves on election issues then why do we want those people determining the future of this city. I happen to be one of those “white district” residents and am considering running for the city council of New Orleans because of the pathetic leadership that we have had to endure for decades.
It is not an issue of race as Mr. Greenberg puts it, but an issue of desire. Those of us who want to work and bring our city back are doing just that. Black and white residents together are here working. There are not many residents here holding out their hand demanding that the government take care of them. Those days I pray have been washed out with the flood waters. If you want to vote in the citywide election, then figure out a way to get your ballot casted. Voting is a right that carries with it a huge responsibility and the responsibility to vote is not one of the government or interest groups but one of the INDIVIDUAL. Maybe we can finally get leaders elected who do not have fleets of buses bringing robots to the poles every election while telling them who to vote for. The black population in New Orleans has been used for decades by the black leaders themselves who want to keep the city poor and stupid. Hopefully Katrina WILL make an new New Orleans and personal responsibility will be the foundation for which it is built
G. Waguespack
Posted by Wolfew on Nov 18, 2005 at 9:46 AM
Because they live there, and most of the people you hope to represent do not.
<blockquote>
I happen to be one of <b>those
Posted by Major Major on Nov 18, 2005 at 5:55 PM
I wasn’t going to respond upon reading your post however I am concerned about you tripping and taking that huge plunge when you decide to climb down off of the ivory tower(please watch your step). The theoretical diatribe you presented is a great lesson for a high school civics class. However what you do not understand is that we(that would be the “we” who actually are living in New Orleans) may be the only ones who remain in the city. I’d like to know what crystal ball you are viewing which tells you which residents are going to come back to the city and which ones are not.
As far as the residents who “receive” substandard education, wages…, well shame on the political powers running this city and shame on the residents for continuously voting these jokers in. It is obvious that you have some problem with demanding responsible behavior from individuals. We(there’s that darn “we” again) had better hope that returning residents of New Orleans reject the “give me” mentality and adopt a proactive “get it done” mentality or this city will wither on the vine.
Oh and by the way, I have been called a lot of things in my life, but never a quad pound sign. I appreciate the compliment.
Posted by Wolfew on Nov 19, 2005 at 12:41 PM
Hee Hee, this one bites, Major.
Actually Rabbit can’t say as he had any problem with Wolfew’s position. Rabbit had a slightly different view but for once would have to defer to the local knowledge. Being a Rabbit from OZ and all.
It is hard to get over the feeling that the whole thing has been used, if not even set up, to displace the large proportion of poor and black from New Orleans, to the benefit of investment in the medium term. Rabbit sees no way to equate such as Wolfew as being in any way connected to such forces and from thence is led consider his words from their own perspective and they sound like an admirable way forward.
Is it Wolfew’s intention to build a New Orleans which does take a humane and intelligent approach to supporting those who will always be around? Those who are for whatever reasons rendered unable to support themselves either temporarily or permanently?
The question is basically, is this a socialist or fascist plan? Rabbit uses these terms only as poles of reference. To which pole do we tend? Both can speak as you have, Mr Wolfew.
Posted by Rabbit on Nov 22, 2005 at 5:16 PM