I haven't seen more impertinent, rambling, insulting, tripe on a single page in a long time. It only affirms in my mind why I wont be returning to Lakeview.
What about justice, Reverend? What about holding those responsible for this cataclysm accountable for their actions? What about building confidence in those who would rebuild, that they wont be in exactly the same situation next year, or the year after that, by giving justice to those who have lost friends, family and property, because of the ruthless greed of little men. I guess that would be too radical a concept for the Reverend. Might upset the powers that be and rattle too may cages in the congregation.
What New Orleans needs now is more men with the courage to stand up against the corruption that caused this disaster. And less men like the Reverend preaching guilt sermons to the choir.
Those with the wherewithal to rebuild have already done so elsewhere. They are not coming back. I love it where I am now. And I have no intention of returning. At least not until all of those responsible for this disaster have been punished for what they have done.
Perhaps the Reverend can use this lecture again next year, when the 17th street canal levee breaks on the other side and utterly destroys Jefferson parish as well. I wonder if the reverend will feel any responsibility for that or any shame for having soft soaped the real problems.
I am so glad to be out of that city and away from the cowardly attitudes of men like this Reverend. He is indicative of the problems that have existed there for a long time, and not part of the solution. The solution will require bold, courageous men who are willing to fight the status quo tooth and nail.
The turn out of absentee voters in the next election will be a good indication whether New Orleans will ever be coming back.
When your home has been flooded, it is a good time to clean house.
By leaving, you won't be able to hold these people accountable. But I don't blame you. I was ambivalent about returning as late as October. I am glad I did though.
S4T, I view New Orleans from a less immediate perspective than you do. We left nearly 20 years ago. The events that caused us to leave were an irretrievably broken and corrupt government, an imicable business climate, rampant crime/homicide rate, the imposition of a gross receipts tax [LA], the imposition of a city inheritance tax [N.O.] and many more personal things.Speaking as an ex-pat, I can understand your disillusionment and anger. We did not lose our home ... so I can only empathize with your loss through my experience supporting and housing friends who did.
All of that said, I can only admire those stalwart, brave souls who see New Orleans as an opportunity and who are not only willing, but also eager, to be part of its resurrection.
In time, your anger will subside. I hope you will find peace of mind wherever you are now. We did ... and it is worth a great deal. Good luck to you. Please keep posting to these threads. We value your insight and opinions.