ALMOST THE END OF 2012

Well, dears, the Brigade met last night in the library.  It  has been a while since we posted on the blog and we decided that it was time to do so again.  First, to Jim Letten, a thank you for a job well done.  To the two members of his staff we must be blunt - you really have hurt the system.  We believe in the right to freedom of speech.  However, that right is sometimes restricted because of the particular circumstances.  Yes, we hide behind our name, The Velvet Glove Brigade, and our leader, RhettsWife but that is because the need to be anonymous is necessary because of our positions in the community and the possible vindictiveness of our employers, not because of any oaths that we may have taken. Enough said  about that issue.



As we read the T-P and the Advocate online, we continue our remarks.  However, the major issue is that of the crime that is rampant on the streets of the city and the surrounding parishes.  The loss of life that is caused by hatred, lack of necessary medical facilities, lack of education, lack of the basics of a stable life, and the list goes on.  What does it all come from - the failure of our leaders to take the necessary stands over decades and decades.  When we speak of leaders we refer to those on the local, state, and national levels.  However, who are most at fault?  THE CITIZENS THEMSELVES.  We vote based on a variety of issues (color, religion, party affiliations, etc. but not for the best of the best).  We need to see the cream of the crop step forward and take a chance to get elected and pray that they do. 

Today we will see some elections and the questions being asked primarily is whether those supported by certain other elected officials will win or lose.  We have seen enough of the issue of "power" and ask for the election of those who take a stand for all of the people.

We have seen enough about the various forms of education and ask that we seek to join together and provide a quality of education for all.  Just recently there was an announcement of the closure of the Cathedral School because of small attendance.  Yet we heard fathers of the children being interviewed on television and asking questions that were so pertinent and that should be answered.  However, we will have to wait for suitable answers from the powers to be in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  Even more can be said about the inadequacies of the other school systems in the city of New Orleans.

Even more questions must be asked about the sewer and water system of this city.   Decades and decades of neglect have resulted in what we have today.   Add to that the issue of the drainage in this city and yes in other parishes in the area and we can see the enormity of the failure of citizens to make demands for decades upon decades. 

Look on the streets of New Orleans and see homeless and the drug addiction problem and ask what is the answer.  This is another question that should have been addressed decades ago.  We do not have the proper medical and psychiatric treatment centers in this city and elsewhere.  In the meantime the new hospital center is going up but it will be years before it is completed.  In the meantime Charity Hospital stands decaying.

(more to come)

ISAAC

Today is the first of September.  I sit here and look over the past days and give thanks.  We did not lose electricity, telephone service, but we did lose our cable connection.  After Hurricane Betsy, my dear mother in law, who was flooded by the waters of that storm, bought a console that provided radio support and record playing ability.  We have not been able to part with it over the years.  On that we were able to listen to Bob Breck and the staff of WVUE-TV as they gave their reports and updates.  To the staff of WVUE and those of other stations, who were separated from their loved ones in this emergency, go our profound thanks for their acts of courage and dedication to the people of this community

We give thanks for the governor’s actions, the mayors and presidents of the various cities and parishes of this state for their immediate reaction to the impending storm and that which happened afterwards.  To the first responders and those who manned the pumps, etc., who put their lives in danger, go our thanks also. 

To those who have lost family members go our prayers and hope that their grief may be lessened by the Almighty that they believe in and their lost ones may rest in peace.  To those who have lost their homes and property also go our prayers that they will be able to recover quickly also and that the government will assist them in that recovery.  Rhett and I suffered from two minor leaks but substantial damage to our trees. 

I sit here this morning looking at news on the cell phone that I got recently as a gift for my birthday.  You can always learn new things.  I check the news on it also.  I hear and see the complaints of many but realize that the various utility companies and cable systems are doing their best to bring back the utilities and services that we need.  I remember the 1947 hurricane that came over Key West and how long it took to recover then.  I remember the building of the levees afterwards and the movement forward ever since.  It is time to stop the blame game, dears, and to start to demand progress for all areas that have been affected by Isaac.  We have learned new lessons with this storm and we must react through our elected officials accordingly. 

We still believe in a new New Orleans, in which people of all ancestries and faiths can work together for improvements of all kinds.  We must learn from the past and build a better future.  My, oh my, dears, I am still reading two books – The Last Madam and The Accidental City.  I remember when I could read a book so quickly but today it takes me a bit longer.

May the Almighty in which you believe give you courage and the bravery to go forward and may all of us unite in an effort to bring forth the improvements which our communities need.

A DREAM OF A MAGICAL CITY

Well, dears, I am still posting on nola.com but illness has delayed some of my actions. I am disappointed with nola.com in one respect - they erased the list of all of my posts before changing to the new system - over 3000 posts.  I made one mistake and did not keep copies over the years, unlike Mr. Perricone, who evidently will use them to write a book.  He may have even read one of my comments about doing the same.  Fortunately I did have some of the comments saved on this blog and I certainly hope people will look at them and  remember.  The members of the Brigade are quite upset also.  Our members include people of all ancestries, religious affiliations, political beliefs, etc.  The only thing we have in common is that we are of an older generation who remembers what morals, ethics, logic, etc. were among the majority in the past. 

The issues of today remain basically the same politics, crime, education or lack thereof, etc.  However, we believe that we can make a change in New Orleans if we were to all unite in an effort to clean up the problems in this city and that will only happen when we erase the hatred that continues to stir up this problem as it has almost from its birth, which was a tremendous struggle.  Read about that in the enticing book - The Accidental City by Lawrence N. Powell.  At the same time I am reading that book I am reading The Last Madam by Christine Wiltz - a different subject but part of the culture of this city.  However, the title is not really true, now is it dears. 

I suggest that everyone start taking stands against the corruption that pervades this city, state, and nation.  Let's try to build a new magical city on the river populated by people who dare to care and care to dare.  Join us in this venture by posting online or writing to the newspaper and the radio and television stations.  In my obituary one day will be the statement - Known as Rhett's Wife, part of a group who dared to care and cared to dare.  Will you take a chance, dears?

A PLEA FOR HELP!!!!

Today, I read the news on the internet and the reminders of two deaths in this city.  One was the drowing death of M. Louis Bill Adams and his obituary.  A man who died on on his way to work, a man of character who was determined to work and support his family.  http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2012/04/louis_bill_adams_jr_crossed_mu.html .  The other involved a homicide of a 32 year old man in Stallings Playground, Mr. Ali Robinson  http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/index_2.html .  Two different men, two different causes of death.  One the result of a storm and the determination of man to get to work;  The other for reasons not known but the result of a gunshot wound.  As I read the latter article and the postings, I found one posting of interest to me and I responded.

"Mr. Joey, dear, the hearts of many are breaking. They break for the families of those whose loved ones have been shot for reasons unknown and known. However, they are breaking because there is no one or no group of people that can determine the total cause and offer solutions to this issue. In my opinion and my friends (The Velevet Glove Brigade) the causes have been allowed to accumulate by the incompetence of our leadership in this city for decades and because of the failure of the basic family unit and the establishment of basic moral and religious standards. We have allowed the issue of ancestry to pervade our decisions in many cases and we have made a grave mistake. All of us have made that mistake. I call upon the Times-Picayune, its owners and editors, to help us crawl out of the state in which we now find ourselves. To the latter group, I give my thanks for allowing the public to post and recognize their right to eliminate a post. However, I believe with its leadership and combined editorial abilities, it and the posters can begin to bring this city to its feet. We cannot simply rely on the leadership of this city - we must lead a peaceful revolution to overcome the causes of the depolorable state in which this city now exists. May the T-P help all of us create a "NOUVEAU NEW ORLEANS"!"

Somehow, over the years, I and my friends have sought to seek the totality of the answers to the problems of this city.  We have seen the deaths of men caused by violence.  Our hearts break for the society of our childhood and recognize the degradation and illegality of segregation.  However, we must recognize that many still blame slavery and segregation as the cause of the problems of this city.  Many have used that as a basis of election to public office and that too is a cause of the problems of this city.  We cannot continue that mindset.  We all must unfiy to overcome the horrors of the past and create something new.  We believe that the T-P can help by a front page article attacking the causes, calling for unification of people, improvements in the lives of all.  Katrina did not kill this city.  It did cause major damage.  What will continue to cause its destruction is the basic failure of people of all ancestries to unite in a major effort to improve the root causes of the destructive elements that are causing these shootings and crimes.  Again we plead with the T-P to do the unusual and show leadership and be blunt in its analysis and expose completely the causes of the deplorable state that this city now lays in.  DARE TO CARE AND DARE TO SHARE IS OUR MOTTO.  Will you accept the challenge - the owners and editorial staff of the T-P.

CRIME AND MORE IN NEW ORLEANS

Well, dears, it has been some time since I have posted to this blog.  My I have been busy and between the naps and the vapors I have been unable to post like I really should.  Frankly, dears, the news today is no different than years ago.  However, the two recent shootings by the police in the City Park area and in Gentilly demands some attention.  Both have brought up the issue of race as a basis for the crime.  It is time to put that issue to rest and to face the reality of the cause of crime in this city and general area and this crosses all ancestral lines.

It will soon be time for the Brigade to have its meetings on the verandah and enjoy some gin and tonics, while the gentlemen enjoy their cigars and cigarettes and a few ladies will also.  Well, dears, I will have my new vapor cigarette (oh I watch the batteries dear) along with my my Southern Comfort Manhattan on the rocks.  We will be talking and I believe the major issue will be CRIME.  To that will be added quite a lot more.

In addition, dears, we will be looking at history and seeing the present as forseen in the past.  Now I have to prepare for the change in time tonight.  Extra firming cream on the face.  An hour can cause changes in the skin tone, dears.  Look for more tomorrow, dears.  After all tomorrow is another day.