Judge Orders Bush Administration to Resume Paying for Katrina Housing

[Marthatex]

No one has called anyone racist...but when someone makes a derogatory statement against another race many people may view that person as racist.
I think we all know (don't know if you were being sarcastic) and I've even posted that people of every race, religion, age, economic background live in FEMA trailers...no research needed . But, you may want to research how many of those individuals are employed or not, trying to rebuild or if they have any plans on what they will do when government funding does cease.
It's going to happen....
Also, I was under the impression that it wasn't only FEMA trailers but also the funding for rent in hotels, apts, etc..... Is that incorrect?

What is a derogatory comment? Describing that they worked as cooks and gardeners?

I think it's sad if we can't just describe the truth, ie "the victims of Katrina were mostly......."

I see that is different from being racist. I think racist involves more of a HATE SPEECH type thing; or hateful attitude. Calling names.

Like what Kramer did. What Bill Cosby did, I believe, was honestly trying to describe behaviors and deficiencies in his ethnic group, and reprimanding them.

People didn't like it; but he wasn't trying to be politcally correct. Neither am I.

 

[czechmate7]

What is a derogatory comment? Describing that they worked as cooks and gardeners?

No, I was talking about me making a derogatory comment (such as they have several children with many different men). Describing that they worked as cooks and gardeners is not derogatory

I see that is different from being racist. I think racist involves more of a HATE SPEECH type thing; or hateful attitude. Calling names.

I agree with you 100% !!!!

Like what Kramer did. What Bill Cosby did, I believe, was honestly trying to describe behaviors and deficiencies in his ethnic group, and reprimanding them.

Which is exactly what I have done (not reprimanding, but describing the behaviors and deficiencies as I have observed in the past 20years)

People didn't like it; but he wasn't trying to be politcally correct. Neither am I.

You and me both!!!! To be politcally correct, you have to almost "ignore" that there is a problem....Ignoring a problem doesn't fix it...

 

[Marthatex]

No, I was talking about me making a derogatory comment (such as they have several children with many different men). Describing that they worked as cooks and gardeners is not derogatory
I agree with you 100% !!!!

Which is exactly what I have done (not reprimanding, but describing the behaviors and deficiencies as I have observed in the past 20years)

You and me both!!!! To be politcally correct, you have to almost "ignore" that there is a problem....Ignoring a problem doesn't fix it...

My point exactly.

The problem in Louisiana with the levees and hurricane danger was that it was ignored for years and years. (we preferred to spend money elsewhere in our country and in our Congressmen's pocketbooks)

We didn't do what we should have; including State govt.; so now we're ALL gonna pay the price and it will cost alot more. Will Nola be rebuilt, and who's goning to pay? It's a complicated problem, and no black/white answers there. (I'm not talking race)

 

[2sisters]

My point exactly.

The problem in Louisiana with the levees and hurricane danger was that it was ignored for years and years. (we preferred to spend money elsewhere in our country and in our Congressmen's pocketbooks)

We didn't do what we should have; including State govt.; so now we're ALL gonna pay the price and it will cost alot more. Will Nola be rebuilt, and who's goning to pay? It's a complicated problem, and no black/white answers there. (I'm not talking race)

It was entirely irresponsible to ignroe the levee problems.I blame all levels. As mayor (be it bartholemy, morial, nagin) they should have spoke up, the people thought enoght to elect them, why not speak for them. Govenors knew. Why did they lobby more? Sad thing is, NO after katrina WAS NOT the worst case scenario. Some models would show a storm of that magnitude (maybe less) drowning the entire metro area. NO will one day be no more and that is sad as well. IMO Plaqumines, St. Bernard and MS gulf coast was the worst case scenario, I don't want to see the worst case if that wasn't it.

 

[Marthatex]

No, I was talking about me making a derogatory comment (such as they have several children with many different men). Describing that they worked as cooks and gardeners is not derogatory
I agree with you 100% !!!!

Which is exactly what I have done (not reprimanding, but describing the behaviors and deficiencies as I have observed in the past 20years)

You and me both!!!! To be politcally correct, you have to almost "ignore" that there is a problem....Ignoring a problem doesn't fix it...

I agree that many problems are ignored here either because they are not politcally "advantageous" at the time; or they involve partly "politcal incorrectness" and trouble for the politicians.

Example: Illegal immigration, has been ignored and allowed to fester so long.

 

[czechmate7]

My point exactly.

The problem in Louisiana with the levees and hurricane danger was that it was ignored for years and years. (we preferred to spend money elsewhere in our country and in our Congressmen's pocketbooks)

We didn't do what we should have; including State govt.; so now we're ALL gonna pay the price and it will cost alot more. Will Nola be rebuilt, and who's goning to pay? It's a complicated problem, and no black/white answers there. (I'm not talking race)

And here is where our throughts come to an agreement. It's unfortunate that Louisiana politics had/has to be so dishonest and corrupt. I agree....the people of the state have had to suffer because of it. I hope NO will be rebuilt, and I really think it will!!

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

Just read awhile ago on Yahoo news that Nagin has hired a disaster recovery expert (or to that effect) for NO...from that Yahoo article, they quoted several who say he's the man for the job :woohoo: His experience is impressive, including recovery planning after So Cal fires, '89 SF quake, etc. Sounds like a good direction. He's supposed to get paid about $150K/year, and the key element of his job is to coordinate the different agencies/recovery efforts, etc.

I HOPE this is going to get much of the inner-workings actually working! Get the darn place cleaned up and with basic utility services...then the bigger rebuilding/plans can occur.

Sorry, I can't do links :blushing: ...but someone else can find it on Yahoo, I'm sure.

 

[blaize]

Just read awhile ago on Yahoo news that Nagin has hired a disaster recovery expert (or to that effect) for NO...from that Yahoo article, they quoted several who say he's the man for the job :woohoo: His experience is impressive, including recovery planning after So Cal fires, '89 SF quake, etc. Sounds like a good direction. He's supposed to get paid about $150K/year, and the key element of his job is to coordinate the different agencies/recovery efforts, etc.

I HOPE this is going to get much of the inner-workings actually working! Get the darn place cleaned up and with basic utility services...then the bigger rebuilding/plans can occur.

Sorry, I can't do links :blushing: ...but someone else can find it on Yahoo, I'm sure.

From Reuters;
(Source)

NEW ORLEANS, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Fifteen months after Hurricane Katrina destroyed his city, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said on Monday he has hired a disaster recovery expert amid widespread criticism that rebuilding has been too slow. Edward Blakely, who worked in New York after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and in northern California after the 1989 earthquake and 1991 wildfires, will head Nagin's newly created Mayor's Office of Recovery Management. Blakely is currently chair of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Sydney in Australia. He has visited New Orleans several times since the deadly storm on Aug. 29, 2005. More than 80 percent of the city was flooded after water broke through the levees. Rebuilding and return of the population have been much slower than predicted. A Louisiana state survey released last week put New Orleans' population at 41 percent of its pre-Hurricane Katrina size of 484,000. The main problem for returnees is lack of housing. Most affected neighborhoods are still gutting with properties rendered useless by flooding. Some 120,000 homeowners in Louisiana are awaiting state aid to rebuild and repair homes.

Also from CBS (Source) Dec 4, 2006 10:18 am US/Pacific New Orleans Mayor Picks New Director Of Recovery

(AP) NEW ORLEANS New Orleans has hired a disaster expert to shepherd the city to recovery from Hurricane Katrina.

Mayor Ray Nagin says the city’s made progress since the storm and floods 15 months ago, but needs to get to the “next level.”

Regional planner Ed Blakely helped coordinate recovery efforts from two California disasters and in New York City after Nine-Eleven.

He says New Orleans’ recovery has been bogged down by the number of bureaucracies and people involved, and by the lack of a modern, citywide master plan.

Blakely will lead what’s expected to be a five-person office.

He tells The Associated Press that one challenge will be inspiring private investment. That money, he says, is key to funding future projects.




(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

 

[Marthatex]

Just read awhile ago on Yahoo news that Nagin has hired a disaster recovery expert (or to that effect) for NO...from that Yahoo article, they quoted several who say he's the man for the job :woohoo: His experience is impressive, including recovery planning after So Cal fires, '89 SF quake, etc. Sounds like a good direction. He's supposed to get paid about $150K/year, and the key element of his job is to coordinate the different agencies/recovery efforts, etc.

I HOPE this is going to get much of the inner-workings actually working! Get the darn place cleaned up and with basic utility services...then the bigger rebuilding/plans can occur.

Sorry, I can't do links :blushing: ...but someone else can find it on Yahoo, I'm sure.

Good! Sounds good; but I'm willing to bet they don't get as much money as they were pledged by "you-know-who". (Its politically incorrect to say P____ B____)

 

[czechmate7]

Just read awhile ago on Yahoo news that Nagin has hired a disaster recovery expert (or to that effect) for NO...from that Yahoo article, they quoted several who say he's the man for the job :woohoo: His experience is impressive, including recovery planning after So Cal fires, '89 SF quake, etc. Sounds like a good direction. He's supposed to get paid about $150K/year, and the key element of his job is to coordinate the different agencies/recovery efforts, etc.

I HOPE this is going to get much of the inner-workings actually working! Get the darn place cleaned up and with basic utility services...then the bigger rebuilding/plans can occur.

Sorry, I can't do links :blushing: ...but someone else can find it on Yahoo, I'm sure.

How wonderful!!!!! It's great to hear good news for a change!!!!:clap:

 

[2sisters]

Good! Sounds good; but I'm willing to bet they don't get as much money as they were pledged by "you-know-who". (Its politically incorrect to say P____ B____)

I think they could get more if they had someone better lobbying for them. Sorry, but blanco and nagin don't cut it with me. There has been a vast difference in how the 2 states afftected have gotten money. Even if Bush gives the money, will they spend it correctly? I like how Blanco can't find Katrina money but could remodel her offices earlier in the year. I guess time will tell. Of course Nagin isn't the worst mayor. Does anyone remember back in the early 90's when then mayor Sindey Bartholmey dissappeared and nobody could find him?

 

[czechmate7]

I think they could get more if they had someone better lobbying for them. Sorry, but blanco and nagin don't cut it with me. There has been a vast difference in how the 2 states afftected have gotten money. Even if Bush gives the money, will they spend it correctly? I like how Blanco can't find Katrina money but could remodel her offices earlier in the year. I guess time will tell. Of course Nagin isn't the worst mayor. Does anyone remember back in the early 90's when then mayor Sindey Bartholmey dissappeared and nobody could find him?

I think my all time favorite is Edwin Edwards....who, BTW, is still in some comfy white collar "Club Fed" place in Texas at the present time!:loser:

 

[Marthatex]

I think they could get more if they had someone better lobbying for them. Sorry, but blanco and nagin don't cut it with me. There has been a vast difference in how the 2 states afftected have gotten money. Even if Bush gives the money, will they spend it correctly? I like how Blanco can't find Katrina money but could remodel her offices earlier in the year. I guess time will tell. Of course Nagin isn't the worst mayor. Does anyone remember back in the early 90's when then mayor Sindey Bartholmey dissappeared and nobody could find him?

Well, the Senators and Representatives should be speaking for Louisiana, and certainly for the devastation in New Orleans. President Bush already made a speech long ago and pledged to "rebuild New Orleans" to be a great city, or something like that.

I know Richard H. Baker, Representative; I went to school with him. I know he worked pretty hard to get better highways and other things for Louisiana. as far as I know he was and is an honest person as well. Maybe I'll e-mail him and find out why La. didn't get Corps of Engineers money to fix the levees. I doubt that he'll answer me, but you never know.

Louisiana has always been "low man on the totem pole". How many electoral votes does it have? Not many. How much money does it have? Not much; though some oil revenue I suppose.

 

[2sisters]

Well, the Senators and Representatives should be speaking for Louisiana, and certainly for the devastation in New Orleans. President Bush already made a speech long ago and pledged to "rebuild New Orleans" to be a great city, or something like that.

I know Richard H. Baker, Representative; I went to school with him. I know he worked pretty hard to get better highways and other things for Louisiana. as far as I know he was and is an honest person as well. Maybe I'll e-mail him and find out why La. didn't get Corps of Engineers money to fix the levees. I doubt that he'll answer me, but you never know.

Louisiana has always been "low man on the totem pole". How many electoral votes does it have? Not many. How much money does it have? Not much; though some oil revenue I suppose.

I wonder why they can't get that oil royalty money? that would really help.

 

[Straitfan]

I have not read through everything from the last few days as it it long and I'm tired..sorry..


But my thoughts, Lousianna has/knew the issues rather it is the threat of a hurricane or the individuals living there causing issues.. They could have made some attempt to change the lifestyle/ give people hope or whatever to make a difference in the citizens as well as the city. Other cities do things to attempt to change murders rates, poverty, etc.. Every city has their own responsibility to make there city be the best it can be.. You cannot expect the US (ie every other citizen, in every other state who may well be DOING their part for their own city, to protect another's state. The Federal Government CANNOT MONITOR every aspect of EVERY town/city in the country, otherwise WHY WOULD WE NEED STATE OFFICALS!

Government (well, the state government in Lousianna is) is not the issue nor the blame here.. Many individuals have helped, offered assistance etc.. You know way back in the day when there were famine's, or whatever happened, people did what THEY had to do to get by, feed their families, etc.. Do not involve stealing and shooting at the people who WERE THERE to HELP!!! Sorry but that state, (Louisanna) needs to get some type of state government and get it together, quit expecting everyone else to save them...They have great things to draw in people/money etc to help their ecomony, they just have to do it! My home city helped them tremendously, put out millions of dollars, was it ideal?? No, but with no food/shelter it was sure better than the alternative.. Ya'll have a good one!

 

[Straitfan]

Marthatex,

Maybe the state needs some better State Reps in to represent and get what is needed. Just a thought... If the State Government pursued "Big Corporations" to locate there which would in turn boost the state ecomony may make a difference also. Could be the overall government in the state needs an "overhaul" to bring in new/fresh ideas.. Sometimes when one accepts things long enough as the way things are, nothing changes...

 

[Straitfan]

Ok, promise to stop after this! They re-elected Nagin?? And Blanco, I never heard one comment on TV from her during the hurriance and there after that seem to intelligent.. yep she was concerned about the citizens and..... what else? I have heard more regarding other states when it comes to talk of this hurricane than I have ever heard from the State itself, appear to be pretty quiet was is strange.

 

[czechmate7]

Marthatex,

Maybe the state needs some better State Reps in to represent and get what is needed. Just a thought... If the State Government pursued "Big Corporations" to locate there which would in turn boost the state ecomony may make a difference also. Could be the overall government in the state needs an "overhaul" to bring in new/fresh ideas.. Sometimes when one accepts things long enough as the way things are, nothing changes...

Straitfan~
I believe you're absolutely right...The Oil industry has always been a big ecomony booster (when doing well) and NO has heavily relied on tourism also (and the tourist areas of NO are actually up and running...if you went to NO today as a tourist you wouldn't see many signs of Katrina!!).
I'm not sure what the answer is. Better political leaders? As long as I can remember politics in LA has been corrupt and for whatever reason (IMO) people seem to not have one thought or another about it. Yes, Nagin was re-elected...guess that means people thought he was doing a good job??? Who knows....As far as Blanco, the Governor and Governors past have never impressed me...that's why LA is in the state it's in!!...I think an overhaul is a lovely idea!

 

[Marthatex]

http://www.louisianarebuilds.info has the latest information about projects and what is going on regarding the rebuilding and hurricane recovery

http://www.Louisiana.gov - has all the latest state news, mostly regarding rebuilding and so forth

http://www.doa.state.la.us/about.economy

Tells all about the major industries in the Louisiana economy

 

[Marthatex]

I wonder why they can't get that oil royalty money? that would really help.

Royalty money usually goes to the owners of the property the oil company or gas company is leasing from; then to the owners of the companies.

I don't know the portion of oil money the state gets, or which drilling is done on State owned land.

Of course there is a tax paid on oil and gas drilling, I'm sure; to Louisiana.

As there are alot of poor in Louisiana, I'm sure their state income tax base is fairly low as compared with some other states. Property taxes there seem fairly low as compared with other states.

To get a good tax base, you've got to have people with income, and people purchasing lots of things, property and otherwise. The travel industry was a boon to New Orleans and Louisiana.