New Orleans Mayor Says Racism Hampering Recovery

CBS2CHICAGO ^ | 18 AUGUST 2006 | AP

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

(AP) INDIANAPOLIS -- The mayor of New Orleans blames racism and government bureaucracy for hampering the city's ability to both weather Hurricane Katrina and recover from it.

Ray Nagin is convinced things would've been different had the storm hit Orange County, California, or Miami Beach. And he's telling the National Association of Black Journalists that the storm exposed what he calls "the soft underbelly of America as it relates to dealing with race and class."

In his speech, Nagin also suggested that state and federal officials would prefer New Orleans remain a smaller city. It now has just over half its pre-storm population.

He's also complaining that his city isn't getting enough state and federal aid -- and that what it does get comes with too many rules. Nagin says too much cash is going to developers and contractors.

[EveningStar]

Same article, different title

[mountn man]

From Mayor Noggin, the man who calls New Orleans a chocolate town. Now he claims racism preventing NOLA from being rebuilt. I guess all the white, church volunteers oughta stay home. They're just holding everything up.

[butternut_squash_bisque]

Ray "Schoolbus" Nagin = RACIST POS!

[JohnLongIsland]

the difference being that people in the other counties would grab the bull by the horn instead of waiting for the gubment to figure out what's a bull.

[GrandEagle]

New Orleans Mayor Says Racism Hampering Recovery
Could be. If Mr. Nagin would temper his hatred of white people, maybe the recovery could get under way.

[ladyinred]

More political propaganda. Haven't they played the race card enough in our lifetimes?

[kentj]

breach the the levies - finish the job.

[RichInOC]

I think one of New Orleans's biggest problems is that there's a loose nut in the mayor's chair.

[afnamvet]

Nagin is playing the victim card continually. His racism is showing.

[OldFriend]

This man is using too many joneses.

[pleikumud]

"It now has just over half its pre-storm population."

I guess that means that Federal welfare recipients are independent of their previous domicile.

[RS]

"New Orleans Mayor Says Racism Hampering Recovery "

I Agree ...


Maybe if he were not so racist they would be doing much better ...

[Lumper20]

He wants the cash. I want my cut. I only take 10%. Those pawn shops rob my people. I am just a 10% honest guy like a small time bookie.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Sorry about that. I'm usually thorough in my searches.

[The South Texan]

"He's also complaining that his city isn't getting enough state and federal aid -- and that what it does get comes with too many rules. Nagin says too much cash is going to developers and contractors.

As opposed to going the crooks that run that state, city and Parish. I'll take my chances with the developers and contractors that in most cases have to pay attention to the bottom line,

[RichInOC]

Seriously...

The mayor of New Orleans blames racism and government bureaucracy for hampering the city's ability to both weather Hurricane Katrina and recover from it.

I can't speak for racism, but I agree with Ray that government bureaucracy hampered New Orleans' ability to handle Katrina, and continues to hamper its recovery. Unfortunately for him, I suspect that most of the bureaucracy that's causing the problem operates right there in town...and reports to him.

Ray Nagin is convinced things would've been different had the storm hit Orange County, California, or Miami Beach.

Well, yeah, Ray. For one thing, Miami Beach and Orange County are mostly above sea level. For another thing, and arguably more importantly, they (and the surrounding regions) have at least some politicians and public-safety department heads who don't need both hands and a copy of Gray's Anatomy to find their own buttcheeks.

[Doogle]

...chocolate city man can't understand why most left his chocolate city town to find a better life. Perhaps the "push" got them to realize there's a better way. Maybe if he promises "free money" to come back AFTER everything is rebuilt, he'll get what he wants and what he misses....a constituency of dependents.


Doogle

[Tahoe3002]

Nagin's "constituency of dependents" have settled into several apartment complexes near my home. Several murders later, I wish nagin would come drag these scumbags back to New Orleans....they sure aren't SAINTS in Houston.

[tflabo]

Hey chocolate city mayor....I guess it was also racism that kept all those school buses grounded and flooded in the Katrina storm too ay? Trying to shake down the Feds for more $$ playing the Race Card it sounds like.....Pathetic leadership.