WE THE PEOPLE OF NEW ORLEANS, in order to establish a more perfect union of all citizens, regardless of race, color, or creed, must unite as one in an orderly and logical manner to provide for the resurrection of our city.

THEREFORE, we propose the following logical propositions and recognize fully that this may affect more people of one kind than the other, but for the good of all this must be done and in order to form a more perfect union of and by all people:

1. The levees of this state must be completely overhauled in order to provide protection from the lowest of parishes, close to the gulf, to all of this state. City, parish, state, and federal officials have the responsibility to adhere to the recommendations of experts in the fields and to hire reputable and proven contractors to fulfill this need.
2. An orderly approach to the return of the citizens to this city is essential in order to provide them protection and to provide them suitable housing. We cannot allow people to rebuild without some provisions for housing that will withstand future storms. The come back all philosophy adhered to by some is foolish and indicative of negligence and continued abuse of the citizens by politicians, who see reelection or election and not what is logical and best. All housing must be adequate and all public housing must and shall adhere to the laws of this state and this nation. Codes must be enforced and indeed strengthened.
3. We must bring back our business, both large and small. We must provide for proper medical care and facilities that are the very best. We must attract the newest of businesses with technology of the present and visions of technology of the future. Businesses must be strictly regulated and must adhere to strict codes that must be put into place. While we admire the architectural beauty of many buildings, these too must be protected and yet updated to provide for the protection of quality businesses of all kinds.
4. We must provide public education (including higher education) for all that will provide students with challenges, provide teachers of ability and strength to accomplish that education. The school boards of this city and state must and shall be overhauled to eliminate the factors that have caused the collapse of education in this city and yes of this state. Boards filled with political cronies are no longer acceptable but quality boards consisting of well qualified persons are required.
5. We can no longer allow the issue of race and color to determine the future of this city. We must come together as one family for the good of all.
6. We must provide for a government of the people and for the people. This means that the government of this city (indeed of this state) must be overhauled in order to assure that it is streamlined, cost efficient, and provide respectful and quality services to all people of this city. This includes all levels of government including assessors, the court system, the police system, etc.
7. We, as citizens, have our duties too. We must elect officials of vision, not simply of promises. That is the very foundation of our constitution and necessary for the future of this city.
We the ordinary citizens of this city and state must be heard and must be followed. We ourselves must overcome our prejudices, our outmoded views, and look to the future of what we know can be and what we will continue to call the city of our dreams, the new Nouvelle Orleans.

WE GIVE THANKS

This morning as we read the various news online, we do not see the signs of murder on the streets of our city. For this we give thanks to God. We pray again today for peace in this city. Day by day by day we will do so. May each day of peace become like a candle and may those candles grow in number so that the lives of all will be enlightened and we may see a Nouveau New Orleans.

CHRISTMAS DAY 2010

This morning I woke to find my dear Rhett had made coffee, put the dogs out, and was wrapping gifts. Those bags are heaven sent for him. We had gone to Midnight Mass and this old lady is getting a bit more tired as the evening wears on into the early hours of the next morning. However, it has always been a tradition and I was happy to continue it. Rhett is a bit worried about losing his job at his age. We prayed for that but for much more. We hope that in our community it will be a day of peace today.

As I read the various news reports and examine the listings on the websites of our local television stations, I was disturbed. The comments made in many instances were quite disturbing and hate filled. For centuries this hate has existed simply based on issues of ancestry. It continues today and we see in some instances a self hatred that is destroying members of our community. Young people brought up in a way of life that has led to self-destruction. It has been aided by the lack of family units, poverty, lack of education, lack of self-esteem, and being taken advantage of by others.

Today, the problems have crossed all ancestral, social, and economic lines. Our leadership has been complacent for decades and seeking only the vote based on ancestral lines instead of looking for a solution to the problems that face this city. However, as we talk among outselves, those who call themselves members of the brigade, we still look for a future that can be brighter for all. We look for ways to solve the issue of self-hatred, the return of family values, the return of business to our city, the availability of good jobs, and for what we call the Nouveau New Orleans. We cannot walk in many of the marches because of our health and yes because of the fear of where they are located.

This morning, in the darkness, we checked to see if all was ok as we left the church. As we got home, again we checked carefully because of the fear that permeates all citizens' lives. Why should we have to live in fear? WHY? We have allowed it to continue because of the lack of our leaders. We listen to Mr. Landrieu and others and we ask why his father did nothing about this when he was in office. Why other mayors had not done so either? Rhett still believes that Dutch Morial could have done more had it not been for his personal life and his fighting with others who were determined to displace him in office. His son was worthless. However, Dutch, was something different and had great possibilities. http://lasoutherngent.blogspot.com/2009/03/courage-to-make-true-difference.html

Now, this morning, I pray again for a new beginning for this city, a rebirth, a newness that will once again can call the Queen City of the South. A Nouveau New Orleans, is the call of the Velvet Glove Brigade - our group of friends created over the years. We still believe and hope that we live to see it or the beginning of it.

WHY?

Why did I copy dear Rhett's last post on my blog? I agree with him totally. The Glover case has been decided and judgment has been made. Some still disagree but we believe in the system and the jury's decision is the result of the system. Justice must be rendered. However, we still see death walking the streets of this metropolitan area. We can and must stop the crime sprees that occur and we see some action being taken by the Mayor, the City Council, the police department and the D.A.'s office. Now let's continue the move forward and recapture what was once a city for all and a city of endless possibilities.

NEW ORLEANS ACCORDING TO MY DEAR RHETT

As RW and I survey the scene of New Orleans today we see some hope. The beginning of the clearing of land for the new hospitals is one, although we believed and still do that the old Charity Hospital could have been in use while these plans went forward. The attempt to eradicate the blight that has given rise to crime and continuation of drugs sales and additction and the overall decline of the city has begun. Yet the overwhelming sense of dread continues as the blood spills on the streets of this city and on the streets of other communities in southern Louisiana. Some would say that this is limited to the community of people of a certain ancestry. We will disagree on this issue. We can no longer use the excuse of slavery as the cause of the criminal intent that exists today. As we listen to many, we see perhaps the beginning of cooperation among people of all ancestries to report and demand that justice be done. In the Federal court today, twelve people will begin to deliberate and make a judgment based on the evidence presented - the case involving the death of Mr. Glover. However, while this may be the main news, there remain the many other cases in which justice must be determined. We also see disagreement as to which boards will run the schools of this city. The schools were in terrible disarray for decades and the question must be asked "WHY?". We blame the boards and the teachers' unions and the failure of parenting. We see in the Charter School system more involvement of parents and a determination to give their children a viable education. Fifty years ago young girls integrated the public schools of this city. One made history by virtue of the support of federal agents and a famous Saturday Evening Posting painting and cover. However, listen to her and to the three other women of African ancestry and heard the difference in how they speak and how they act. There was something important in their backgrounds - family. The family in all situations is the cause of children seeking to improve themselves. RW and I have seen this in the families with which we have beome friends. The decline of family and moral values is the reason for the disappation of this city, this state, and this nation. Daniel Moynihan was on point in this respecti in his 1965 report - http://www.blackpast.org/?q=primary/moynihan-report-1965. It is time for all of us to read it and also to read the call for unity by Martin Luther King in his famous words: "Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring—when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children—black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics—will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!" It is time for us to listen to those of the past in order to create a new city, a new state, and a new nation. RW and I hope to live to see the future change in this city. Katrina and the breaks in the levees may have caused the physical destruction of this city but we the citizens by our own actions have created more damage over the decades by the failure to choose leaders based on their ability and not on their ancestry. It is time for a radical change in attitude among all citizens of this city, this state and this nation.

THE TRAUMA THAT AFFECTS NEW ORLEANS

As I sit at the computer this afternoon, I look back over my lifetime and remember so much what has caused the downfall of this once great city. Through my blood runs that of immigrants back to the 18th century, before the War of Independence and the Civil War. My heritage was not one of wealth nor status but of hard working people with a determination that each generation would do more. More for not themselves but also for others was the basis of my family's beliefs. In my lifetime and that of my dear Rhett we have done so. However, often we have been criticized because of that.

Last weekend there was the celebration of the integration of public schools in New Orleans. How well we both remember those hideous days and those that would follow with the integration of Catholic Schools in this metropolitan area. However, little was said about the many people who were in favor of that integration and would support it. What was the cause of so many not being public about it - fear. That fear was loss of work, fear of retaliation by the worst of people, fear for their very lives. This was true both in the community of those of African ancestry and those of European ancestry and of other ancestries. There were those times when people would move signs so that people of a different ancestry could sit down - for this they were often referred to in the most vulgar of ways. Slowly but surely many moved to the suburban areas to escape that fear. How often people of different ancestries helped those of others - many, many times, dears. However, all of that was overshadowed by the fear that pervaded this area. What subsequent occured was a reverse discrimination in this city, that remains today. What happened also was the decrease of family and moral values that resulted in the destruction of the lives of many and of different social and economic backgrounds.

New Orleans has seen its many mayors over our lifetimes, as Rhett described in his blog.

HOW TIME DOES FLY!!!!

Well, dears, Rhett and I are still alive. The city, state, and nation seems to be running wild. The coming elections, local and national are gaining much attention. One still wonders exactly "whom to vote for?" All of this negativism instead of positive advertising on the television creates a great deal of problems. Why aren't we given the truth and the whole truth. National figures running around showing support for their candidates, even in local elections, is ludicrous. State officials flying around show support for others in other states is ludicrous also. Who are paying for this in the long run? The poor citizens. This nation is in a financial panic and innocent citizens are suffering. The little people need to rise up and defy these politicians and vote for the best regardless of their affiliations, ancestry, sex, or faith. Now, listen carefully for proven facts and vote for those candidates whose history is not marred. Vote for only the best, dears, only the best.

OIL SPILL HAVOC

Rhett and I have been somewhat ill and have not been doing so much posting. We survived the elections and watch with interest as to what the new mayor will do. However, the last month has been a horror with the issue of the spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Blame must be share by all concerned, not simply BP, albeit they share the most. However, the lack of the federal government to act more adequately is disgusting. The lack of adequate standards by the feds destroyed the city with the flooding during Katrina and now the lack of standards will destroy the livelihoods of many who are just managing to recover from the storm. Act before disaster and not simply afterwards. The failure of the federal government to establish the best requirements for drilling in the Gulf is clear. Blame it on all the prior administrations that have reaped the benefits of the drilling but now are long gone and are pointing the finger at the present administration. The finger must be pointed at the present administration for not taking the necessary action to oversee and to deploy the best possible methods of containment and cleanup. Now we see local agencies reacting and taking control. Time to secede from the union, cut off the supply of our assets to the rest of the U.S. and let them rely on China and other foreign nations that already have a great amount of control in this nation. Time to secede. Oh, goodness, dears, I will be labeled an absolute radical.

VOTE TODAY FOR A BETTER NEW ORLEANS

Today, before Rhett and I leave for the polls, we decided that there must be a post on this site and others that we have created. THE FUTURE OF THIS CITY IS IN THE HANDS OF ITS CITIZENS. It is time to turn away the politics of the past, to refuse to vote based on ancestry, on political patronage, on inheritance of positions, or on the many biases that have created this morass in which we now exist. It is time that each and every citizen put aside their individual biases and vote for the future and not the past. We will vote for James Perry, not because we wish to throw away a vote as some people say, but because it is the young determined people like him that are the future of this city. We will do so with pride and hope. Tomorrow many will celebrate but we ask the question is tomorrow's celebration of victory for one candidate rather than another a celebration that we can still hold on to in four years. The future of this city is dependent on the vote. Some will not, because of their involvements with the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. What a shame. However, we will put on our coats and hats and we will drive in the Rolls today to the polling place and we will cast our votes with pride. How many others will vote with pride? Will they vote out of alliances and hate instead? Time will tell, time will tell.

IT IS TIME TO TAKE A STAND OF SUPPORT FOR IN THE MAYOR'S RACE

Yes, dears, we have been watching closely. We have listened to the verbage being spouted. We have watched the politicians give their promises and relied on their political connivance (e.g. saying one thing to one candidate and then changing

GET THE INFORMATION ON LOUISIANA

This morning we found an interesting site and suggest that everyone take a look. It is long but important. Take a chance - read it!!! We all must learn and this is an excellent article.
http://transformlouisiana.com/second%20issue%20of%20transform%20LA.html#2nd

POPE MAKES IMPORTANT STATEMENT

Peace begins with a look of respect that recognizes in another man's face a person, regardless of the color of his skin, nationality, language or religion.
POPE BENEDICT XVI,
calls for the respect of all people during the Mass marking the start of the new year Read more: http://www.time.com/time/quotes#ixzz0bPFrOmRL

This appeared earlier today also in a story on WDSU. The story was removed. However, we would like to share our response with those who may read this blog.

The Pope speaks well and all should listen. However, he, his cardinals, his bishops, his priests, his deacons must not simply talk the talk but also walk the walk. Too often they fail to carry out the very words they speak. The Church is for all and in that Church there must be equal treatment for all humans not preference to only some. Jesus, himself, reached out to all, rich and poor, sinless and sinful, people of all faiths, and people of all nations. This is the challenge to the Church once again today. May it and faithful of all faiths combine to achieve this goal.

JANUARY 1, 2010

TO ONE AND ALL A HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR. Today, this city, this parish, and surrounding parishes, this state, and this nation are faced with difficulties that call for leadership. That leadership is lacking. We must all face our obligations as citizens and choose leaders of quality and ability and not ones of promises and certain ancestries. We must examine closely their past, including their associations, etc. We must remember the reason why this nation was founded and the words of our founding fathers as found in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. This is the basis of my beliefs and those of many others. We have consistently called ourselves our the years - the Velvet Glove Brigade and we will try to post on this site as well as the public sites of New Orleans and Louisiana. Make your voice hear. Make the demands as citizens to the rights that all are entitled to. God Bless the USA.