WE PONDER ON THE FOURTH

Dears, it has been some since I have written my last missive. Forgive the old lady but she has had some bouts of illness and has posted on the sites of local media. Alas, time does take its toll. However, I refuse to undergo surgery, botox, etc. Just a light covering of Noxema, dear. However, the city needs more than surgery, botox, etc. Even Noxema will not solve the problem. It needs leadership on local and state levels, reason, education, and a solution to the blight that continues. the crime rate, the blight, and the fight over Charity or its successor, and the lack of unity in this city because of the continued issue of racism.

On this Independence Day our group of friends, the Velvet Glove Brigade, will gather. It will be a moment of sadness because one of us is no longer here. She had to move to be with her family elsewhere. However, she is feisty as ever, dears. We also will sit and ponder the problems we mentioned above. We wonder what our founding fathers would say about this nation today. We also wonder what the founders of New Orleans and those that were here 200 years ago would have to say. WHAT A SORRY STATE OF AFFAIRS!!!! We see the homeless on the streets and wonder what will happen not only to them but to those who are facing financial difficulties. We wonder about so much and feel so useless in our continued quest for a new Nouvelle Orleans. However, the battle will continue. We will do our best to seek a 200 year anniversary of this state as part of the Union next year. However, in the meantime, we will pray as we always do for a unity of people that is in reality the only solution to the major problems of this city, this state, and this nation. We must look past the issues of race, the issues of gender, the issues of sexual orientation, and look at each other as people only. We believe that all must be treated equally and with dignity. Only the person's actions will indicated that he/she should not be given that respect. Basic moral standards must be taken into consideration. Some will immediatly say that perhaps we are applying a double standard in the issue of sexual orientation, for example, but we believe that science will ultimately prove that such and orientation is scientific and based on genetics. Time will tell, dears. Off we are to fire up some fireworks. Have a happy and safe 4th, dears.

TIME TO STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR UNITY

As we look back in time, we well remember the days of segregation and days of inequality among citizens based on the color of their skin, their ancestry. Even within those of African ancestry there was discrimination based on the lightness of the skin color. In the 60's came the Civil Rights Act and the resulting battles over the issue of desegregation, integration, busing, etc. Some fifty years later the battle still continues but the issue is now in reverse. It is the refusal of member of the community of Americans of African ancestry that discriminate against others by their determination to keep certain schools label as historically black and to refuse to allow individuals of other ancestries to join certain organizations, such as the Black Legislative Caucus. As taxpayers voting to elect individuals to local, state, and national office, we are appalled by such activity. Joseph Cao, while an elected representative to the United States House of Representative, was denied membership in the so called Black Caucus. This was true even though he represented a district, whose citizens were in the majority those of African ancestry. Even in the present day Congress bigotry exists based on ancestry. Frankly, he was later voted out of office based not on his qualifications or ability but on his ancestry.

Now the argument turns to the issue of SUNO and UNO. This city, which has lost a great deal of population over the years, and is overridden by crime, political shenanigans, etc. is still fighting the issue of color but in reverse. Here again on the state level we read of the Black Caucus arguing against the combination of these two schools. It is time to eradicate the so called Black Caucus or any other similar caucus and to demand that justice be granted to all and that an elected representative represents the best interests of ALL of his/her constituents. These school are long overdue for combination and revitalization. Standards have been lowered in colleges and universities throughout this city and state. That can no longer occur. Student attending one school, regardless of their ancestry, and who are qualified and will be able to achieve should be the issue. Time to stop the continued arguments based on ancestry. Time to turn our attention to the reasons why so many young men and women are ill prepared to attend a college or university. Time to question programs that have no results. Time to call to task those who are continuing the battle based on ancestry rather than on ability.

IN UNITY WE WILL FIND VICTORY AND A FUTURE FOR THIS CITY - the new NOUVELLE ORLEANS.

SADNESS PREVAILS

It has been a while, since we have posted on this site. However, last night the Brigade gathered on the verandah for the beginning of our summer socials. The proverbial gin and tonics were served but we noted that some of the gentlemen were requesting Southern Comfort Manhattans on the rocks. We discussed the nearly six years since Katrina and the times before and what we have seen in our lives. Much, dears, much. However, our concerns last night came down to the present and the situation in the Police Department, the raging Mississippi River, and the opening of the spillways. Yes the department should be fully investigated and we were seriously concerned by the recent questions regarding Marvin Difillo. However, all of City Hall and all departments must be completely investigated. We have seen the destruction of nature throughout this nation and we find ourselves dwelling again on Katrina and it destructive power created by man made levees giving way. Now we watch as the spillways are opened and see those desperately trying to save their homes as they water will slowly extend over a large area in South Louisiana. Our prayers and thoughts were with them and will remain with them as they recover. However, in general a sadness still prevails for the city that could be but will not be for quite a while. We still wait for a new Nouvelle Orleans, a city of greatness, a city of unity, and a city of hope. However, the generations of hate, ignorance, immorality, lack of true leadership, etc. caused its decay and will continue to do so until all people realize that we can unify and we can be the Queen City of The South.

OSAMA BIN LADEN

His end has finally come as the result of the bravery of many men and women, some of whom over the years have returned in coffins to grieving families. To those men and women and the men and women who actually brought him down, our grateful appreciation.

AGAIN WE SAY, BUT THIS TIME TO MITCH LANDRIEU

Tonight the Mayor of New Orleans was interviewed on 60 minutes. Again we respond to his remarks, what we said years ago after Katrina:

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.

Mr.Mayor,some of this has been accomplished, but much still remains to be done. Show us that you can.

TRAGEDY

The tragedies caused by the huge number of tornados and storms this past week are terrifying. One can only pray for the people, who have died, and for their families. It brings back memories of what happened nearly six years ago here in New Orleans. However, those memories are with us daily as we pass the blighted buildings, hear the promises of politicians, allow those politicians to make pie in the sky promises relative to new housing, a new hospital, etc. How much more will the citizens take.

JAPAN

As Rhett and I watched and read about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, we cringed with horror and realized that thousands would be dead as a result of these catastrophes. Over the ensuing days as the news media gave additional reports and our government also responded, we prayed that there might be hope for some people thought to be dead. We watched as small children were rescued and prayed that their families would be there for them. We also wished, that we could have helped such a child but at our ages that would be physically impossible. Yes we can give money to various organizations that will assist those that are suffering. However, we believe that we need to pray for them to have the strength to renew themselves. This catastrophe will affect even the survivors for years to come - physically and mentally. Having survived Katrina by evacuating and returning to our home to find damage, which could be repaired, we recognize the toll it took on us and the heavier toll it took on others and much more of a toll that these tragedies will take on the citizens of Japan.

Yesterday Rhett was in a parish office and overheard a man say that "the Japanese will be much more resilient than those here in Louisiana". He had to agree because he is well aware of those who took advantage of the hurricane to steal, to loot, and to steal through various ways even as New Orleans and surrounding parishes are struggling to recover. We did not see that in Japan. We saw immediate action taken by the government of Japan and the assistance being provided from all over the world. Even as the threat of further nuclear disaster continues, we still believe in the people of Japan who will work together to do what is needed. May God Bless them with the courage to do so.