Suppressing The New Orleans Vote

The Nation ^ | April 13, 2006 | The Editors

[Klatuu]

New Orleans has long been pivotal in the struggle for black voting rights. During the Civil War, free blacks there demanded suffrage; their efforts resulted in Lincoln's first public call for voting rights for some blacks in the final speech of his life. Once these rights were won, New Orleans blacks took an active part in politics, leading to the establishment of the South's only integrated public school system. But rights once gained aren't necessarily secure; after Reconstruction, blacks in New Orleans lost the right to vote. As Thomas Wentworth Higginson wrote at the time of the Civil War, "revolutions may go backwards."

This is what we are seeing now, as New Orleans prepares for municipal elections on April 22. These elections are set to take place even though fewer than half the city's 460,000 residents have returned and the vast majority of those displaced outside Louisiana are African-Americans--the result of what Representative Barney Frank calls the Bush Administration's policy of "ethnic cleansing by inaction."

[Klatuu]

As elections go, this one is certainly not going to be very pretty. I'm sure that there are probably going to be lawsuits filed almost as soon as the last ballot is cast.
No one seems to be overly concerned that those who have managed to return and are trying to rebuild their lives are in danger of having their rights suppressed by the desire of some to indefinitely postpone these elections.

[WOSG]

These elections are set to take place even though fewer than half the city's 460,000 residents have returned and the vast majority of those displaced outside Louisiana are African-Americans--the result of what Representative Barney Frank calls the Bush Administration's policy of "ethnic cleansing by inaction."

Other than proving another blame-Bush Democrat a liar, what's the point of inserting that?

[catholicfreeper]

True. There is really no support I feel from any groups in NOLA to postpone these elections. It seems everyone wants to vote now. I think all this postpone the vote comes out of State myself.

[Cyber Liberty]

They only sent out, what, a billion absentee ballots all over the country?

[robowombat]

Unfortunately it doesn't appear that any of the front runners represent the kind of change the NOLA badly needs in its highest elective office.

[dirtboy]

the vast majority of those displaced outside Louisiana are African-Americans--the result of what Representative Barney Frank calls the Bush Administration's policy of "ethnic cleansing by inaction."

I'm curious how many of these have absolutely no intention of ever returning to NOLA again?

[catholicfreeper]

I disagree. I think Forman would be a great mayor.

[robowombat]

I have heard a number of people say that based on his track record with high visibility projects such as the resurrection of the zoo and getting the Aquarium of the Americas operating on schedule and on budget. I have also heard others who contend his skills are woefully deficient in dealing with the backstab artists and slimming specialists that are determined THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE.

[bpjam]

And how exactly are black official in N.O. disenfranchising black voters? Bush has nothing to do with this - the whole freakin' city is run by blacks in the Democratic party!! When was there last a white mayor? And when was the last Republican to run N.O.? Probably never. Yet, they are claiming 'ethnic cleansing?'

They really ought to look into a mirror since its the Dems who control all of this nonsense in LA. Its no wonder those people don't want to come back to a city run by corrupt Democrats.

[half-cajun]

"Once these rights were won, New Orleans blacks took an active part in politics, leading to the establishment of the South's only integrated public school system."

And we see how well those New Orleans public schools did.

[D1X1E]

It seems so simple or maybe Im being simplistic, or maybe Im a simpleton (please no agreement here lol) but if you do not LIVE in New Orleans anymore for whatever reason, how can you vote there??? Other than by fraud, special illegal rules etc.

[Mila]

"I disagree. I think Forman would be a great mayor."

Me too!

[NonValueAdded]

Good grief, you're right! Barney Fwank is questioning the competence of the black public officials of New Orleans! How dare he!

[Gordongekko909]

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[weegee]

Nagin is busing in voters from Houston. He doesn't seem interested in bringing them back to NOLA to live and work, but he doesn't trust the US postal service.

[catholicfreeper]

Yeah, thats is a concern. To be honest that was Nagin's problem. I can't accuse Nagin of being corrupt but he had a hard time dealing with the Political establishment there. However, that machine is pretty wounded right now.

[catholicfreeper]

They can vote because they have no intent to change their domicle yet. Its like college students or people that work in various parts of the country. I have no problem with these people voting as long as they have not re registered in the other states.

[Kirkwood]

"Other than by fraud, special illegal rules etc."

There may be a lot of illegalities in LA, but displaced voting is not one of them.

[Kirkwood]

"I disagree. I think Forman would be a great mayor."

Maybe so. He has a lot of experience running a zoo.

[princess leah]

I wonder if those in Houston that Nagin so desperately wants to "bus into new orleans" will see the IRONY of this. Nagin wouldn't use the busses back in August to bus the out of New Orleans, but its clear he'll get every darn bus out there to bring 'em all back to VOTE!