Nagin Cleaning Up New Orleans

Times-Picayune ^ | 07/22/02 | Gordon Russell

[geaux]

If I had spoken of Lake Charles in the fashion in which you speak of my home, you'd get puffed up, as well. Most well-mannered people I know don't go around critisizing where other people live. This is a national forum, and I refrain from bashing ANY part of this country; someone here lives there, and loves it; to each his own. So don't lecture me about manners when *you* are the one critisizing a town you know very little about, in a place where, chances are, a native will see it.

Here; let's try it: Lake Charles is full of white trash loud mouths. I know because my cousins live there, and I have several friends who work there. My friends, all lawyers, have some great stories about their clients -- most of which start, "So he turns to his friend and says, "hold muh beer" and end with, "So that's why I'm suing the mobile home manufacturer." Lake Charleans can barely speak proper English, and I wonder if there are 20 teeth in their collective heads.

Doesn't feel so good when you turn it around, does it, Ms. Manners? Think about that next time you start critisizing where people live. Where is all this traffic that "sucks" (nice word choice, BTW; ya kiss ya momma wit dat mouth)? Please show me the random crime statistics (I again note B.R. has higher per capita crime than NOLA) indicating New Orleans is such an dangerous place. I'll concede the schools, and, reservingly, the street issue (I don't think the streets are all that awful), but the rest is, frankly, hooey.

With regards to New Orleans politics embarrassing the state, do you *really* believe that? More embarrassing than having a representative who refers to middle easterners as wearing diapers on their heads? More embarrassing than a governor who openly and often laughs at federal investigations? If so, then how come Cooksey's remarks and Edwards' demise made national news, whereas Nagin's clean-up and the associated dirt gets about 20 responses on a national forum, most of which consist a debate over the merits of New Orleans and not the posted story?

[geaux]

Thanks; I get so worked up (as you can see from above) when people who have no idea what they're talking about start spreading half-truths about this City. I came here from another place, anticipating that I would hate it -- I thought I would be robbed every night and murdered every other. Turns out, I was completely wrong. I've since fallen in love with the city, and have made efforts to stamp out the same lies I heard (and believed) before I moved here.

[geaux]

You need bigger beads. You know what they say about the size of a guy's beads...

[geaux]

Sadly, the French Quarter has deteriorated. You are correct that it's gone from scandalous to seedy. Believe it or not, shop owners are out every morning hosing off their sidewalks to get rid of the filfth. I don't know if there's anything Nagin can do about it.

[southerngrit]

*Sigh*

Do you feel better now? Please read my post 14. If you love New Orleans, I am happy for you. I can't quite figure out what got you in such a venomous frame of mind, but again, if I have offended you, please accept my apologies. After all, as you noted, the thread WAS about corruption in New Orleans. If progress is being made, great. Just do me a favor - get your head out of the sand, New Orleans shares the plight of many urban areas in the U.S. - denial doesn't erase that fact, and belligerence only makes you look, well............

[Bogey78O]

If you hadn't already heard the local liberal rev'rund has already bashed Nagin on the move calling it a gesture to please his "white masters".

Like corruption is good for blacks? Sheesh.

[bigeasy_70118]

The worst thing about the Quarter is those homeless kids in Jackson Square. They have been there since November, sleeping on the benches (which Nagin has removed) and standing in front of doorways in the Pontlaba Building. They need to go...IMMEDIATELY

[bigeasy_70118]

The worst thing about the Quarter is those homeless kids in Jackson Square. They have been there since November, sleeping on the benches (which Nagin has removed) and standing in front of doorways in the Pontlaba Building. They need to go...IMMEDIATELY

[mikenola]

Negotiations continue today as detectives try to interview former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial. It's part of the growing corruption probe into city government. Police say "at this point" Morial is not under direct criminal investigation, but they have been talking with his attorney and very much want to get him to sit down with detectives. “More so to learn information, and as a witness in particular cases,” says New Orleans Police Capt. Louis Dabdoub. Capt. Dabdoub says they also want to interview Morial's Chief Administrative office, Marlin Gusman, who's now a city councilman. This comes as the police double their number of detectives looking into alleged corruption under Mayor Morial. Five new investigators get up to speed today as they prepare to find out how high the alleged corruption went.

Awesome!

[geaux]

If they nail Morial, I'll be really impressed with Nagin. He must have two made of brass; he isn't intimidated by anyone. I wonder if they'll go up the river and get all the crook in Baton Rouge.

[geaux]

crookS

[wattsmag2]

I was down in the French Quarter last month and the only foul smell I ran across was from a couple of horses. Otherwise, it was very nice that day.

[Ditter]

Yes the French Quarter smells of urine & beer (don't forget vomit) & if you don't keep walking your feet stick to the sidewalk but I love that city. I can't get enough of it. I must go once a year. It's unique, one of a kind.

[MissAmericanPie]

I'm like Ditter, I love that place. I'm not a night person, not into partying hardy, but I do love to shop the French Quarter, in daylight. Maybe the night gives it a little better look than the last time I saw it. I do hope they have cleaned it up a little, it would be a shame for it to continue down hill.

[csvset]

Mayor C. Ray Nagin

I'm not from NO, I just have to admire any mayor that takes on the machinations of the corrupt.