Dateline January 16, 2006 -- New Orleans' Mayor C. Ray Nagin
New Orleans' Mayor C. Ray Nagin, today, predicted that New Orleans “will be chocolate at the end of the day.” “This city will be a majority African-American city. It’s the way God wants it to be.” He further said that the numerous hurricanes of 2005, were sent to the United States as God's punishment for "being in Iraq under false pretenses.” Additionally, he reported that he had a conversation with the late Martin Luther King, Jr., prior to the address.
This is yet another case of Nagin pandering to a particular demographic. His rhetoric will turn again when he faces another, different crowd. During the past several months, he has been a near enemy to African Americans displaced by Hurricane Katrina- today he is Martin Luther King Jr.'s self-proclaimed heir apparent.
The following is an article I published in December 2005.
Smoke and Mirrors Still Litter New Orleans' Political Scene
An ending may be in sight, but here, one never knows.
Carson W. Maxwell
December 7, 2005
It is well-known that, in Louisiana especially, many politicians seek only to improve the lives and welfare of themselves. It appears that each self-embodies their own special interest group. Even so, a promise of leadership change still brings attention and hope. Such was the case when C. Ray Nagin was elected Mayor of New Orleans. A political newcomer, Nagin seemed to possess integrity and leadership skills. Unfortunately, the qualities that drew initial interest have yet to surface.
During his first year in office, Nagin's administration uncovered areas of corruption in City Hall. This was no big surprise to anyone locally, nationally, or internationally. An investigation ensued whereby several city employees and numerous taxicab drivers were arrested for illicit permit violations. No big fish were netted in this operation, but, as a result of the accompanying media frenzy, Nagin was crowned a foe to the corruption of old. This recognition for honor might normally be considered perplexing, as most of his upper-echelon executive appointments came from within his circle of friends at Cox Communications, where he worked prior to being elected. Without the sacrifice of a few poorly paid cab drivers, his own hiring practices would have been seen as little more than outright favoritism-- jobs for friends rather than for ability. As time went by, most could not handle the positions awarded and were tossed aside like freshly soiled disposable diapers.
Problems, yes, we had them long before Hurricane Katrina. The city's violent crime rate was sky-rocketing. This year, we were on pace to trounce former murder rate records. Multiple nightly homicides filled the front pages of our daily newspaper and took up a significant portion of local nightly newscasts. Illegal narcotics sales ran rampant; drug use was sky-rocketing, along with the crimes one must commit to obtain addictive substances. Conferences were called to find answers and form solutions, but the final results were non-existent. Meetings without leadership and backbone give an outward appearance of stalwart dedication, but, in the end, bring about no tangible outcomes. Today, after Katrina, we still see the same procrastination by seemingly unguided committees.
The city has always had a problem finding jobs for their high number of unemployed citizens. There were many reasons for city's high rate of unemployment. Many work-aged people in New Orleans could not read or write, as, on a whole, education levels seem astoundingly low. The number of employers throughout the area had also shrunk as the local economy faltered. Over the years, we lost many local companies and, further, lost many industries considering a move into the area. We finally arrived at a point where the city was almost entirely supported by the tourist trade. Our economic situation can not be blamed entirely on Mayor Nagin, but he must carry his share of the responsibility. Since his election, enterprises entered here and there, but these certainly could not offset the number that departed. For the area's unemployed, Nagin reorganized the city's workforce development office. The main part of this transformation was completed by simply changing the department's name to Job1. Persons interested in obtaining employment or other services from Job1 still had to jump through bureaucratic hurdles, seemingly meant to weed out the poorest or least educated applicants. The name changed, but the atmosphere and true utility remained the same. Finally, yet another key department head, the director of Job1, disappeared silently without acknowledgment or a given reason.
The sidestep was probably invented in Louisiana and its moves are learned at a high cost to its citizenry. Prior to Nagin's running for Mayor of New Orleans, he was registered in the Republican Party, but, before qualifying, he changed his political affiliation to the Democratic Party. After his successful bid for office, as a now-prominent member of his newly chosen party, he decided not to follow the party line but, instead, endorsed Republican Bobby Jindal for Governor of Louisiana over Democrat Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, the eventual winner. In hindsight, his decision might not have been a bad one, but at the time, he seemed to be a traitor to the Democrats who both endorsed his candidacy and voted for him during his election. Later, he hesitantly backed Democratic Presidential Candidate John Kerry during the last Presidential campaign. His diffidence was quite noticeable and the final endorsement seemed more coerced than heart-felt. There is little question in my mind of whose lever he actually pulled on Election Day. Why is this important now? It shows a pattern-- evidence that he is willing to do or say whatever it takes to achieve his desired outcomes. Changing political parties to the predominate local party was simply a way to sway public sentiment and win support, regardless of whether or not he subscribed to the policies and beliefs of the party. It's just another way of hiding the truth in an attempt at pandering to the public. Whether it's seen in his support of the Urban Land Institute before their report effectively alienated large segments of the voting population, or his latest admission to a group of Katrina evacuees in Atlanta, his recent vocalizations follow in the same ilk. Over the past weekend, in Atlanta, he kowtowed to a roomful of opponents to the upcoming carnival celebration by stating that he was against holding parades and related events in the city. Everyone locally knows that Nagin has been supporting the 2006 Mardi Gras celebration since immediately after the storm (see http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05257/571047.stm). In fact, I heard his promise of an "awesome" celebration on the radio, while I was misplaced, nearly 200 miles from my home. Additionally, in recent weeks, his office has been busy trying to obtain corporate sponsorship for the event. It's just another ending to another show, or, perhaps, just the flavor of the day.
It seems as though we have an additional number of months to continue with indecisive and deceptive leadership. Of course, when the time comes, it will be up to the voters once again. Perhaps the devil we know is better than the politician we do not. Maybe inaction is better than some action in the wrong direction. Only time will tell, as those living in the affected areas will eventually find out what the true story really was and will certainly be able to tally all recorded attempts at deception.
For a story I wrote soon after this article was published, please read "Tale of the Donkeyderm," linked from my web site, http://cwmaxwell.atspace.com.
This is yet another case of Nagin pandering to a particular demographic. His rhetoric will turn again when he faces another, different crowd. During the past several months, he has been a near enemy to African Americans displaced by Hurricane Katrina- today he is Martin Luther King Jr.'s self-proclaimed heir apparent.
The following is an article I published in December 2005.
Smoke and Mirrors Still Litter New Orleans' Political Scene
An ending may be in sight, but here, one never knows.
Carson W. Maxwell
December 7, 2005
It is well-known that, in Louisiana especially, many politicians seek only to improve the lives and welfare of themselves. It appears that each self-embodies their own special interest group. Even so, a promise of leadership change still brings attention and hope. Such was the case when C. Ray Nagin was elected Mayor of New Orleans. A political newcomer, Nagin seemed to possess integrity and leadership skills. Unfortunately, the qualities that drew initial interest have yet to surface.
During his first year in office, Nagin's administration uncovered areas of corruption in City Hall. This was no big surprise to anyone locally, nationally, or internationally. An investigation ensued whereby several city employees and numerous taxicab drivers were arrested for illicit permit violations. No big fish were netted in this operation, but, as a result of the accompanying media frenzy, Nagin was crowned a foe to the corruption of old. This recognition for honor might normally be considered perplexing, as most of his upper-echelon executive appointments came from within his circle of friends at Cox Communications, where he worked prior to being elected. Without the sacrifice of a few poorly paid cab drivers, his own hiring practices would have been seen as little more than outright favoritism-- jobs for friends rather than for ability. As time went by, most could not handle the positions awarded and were tossed aside like freshly soiled disposable diapers.
Problems, yes, we had them long before Hurricane Katrina. The city's violent crime rate was sky-rocketing. This year, we were on pace to trounce former murder rate records. Multiple nightly homicides filled the front pages of our daily newspaper and took up a significant portion of local nightly newscasts. Illegal narcotics sales ran rampant; drug use was sky-rocketing, along with the crimes one must commit to obtain addictive substances. Conferences were called to find answers and form solutions, but the final results were non-existent. Meetings without leadership and backbone give an outward appearance of stalwart dedication, but, in the end, bring about no tangible outcomes. Today, after Katrina, we still see the same procrastination by seemingly unguided committees.
The city has always had a problem finding jobs for their high number of unemployed citizens. There were many reasons for city's high rate of unemployment. Many work-aged people in New Orleans could not read or write, as, on a whole, education levels seem astoundingly low. The number of employers throughout the area had also shrunk as the local economy faltered. Over the years, we lost many local companies and, further, lost many industries considering a move into the area. We finally arrived at a point where the city was almost entirely supported by the tourist trade. Our economic situation can not be blamed entirely on Mayor Nagin, but he must carry his share of the responsibility. Since his election, enterprises entered here and there, but these certainly could not offset the number that departed. For the area's unemployed, Nagin reorganized the city's workforce development office. The main part of this transformation was completed by simply changing the department's name to Job1. Persons interested in obtaining employment or other services from Job1 still had to jump through bureaucratic hurdles, seemingly meant to weed out the poorest or least educated applicants. The name changed, but the atmosphere and true utility remained the same. Finally, yet another key department head, the director of Job1, disappeared silently without acknowledgment or a given reason.
The sidestep was probably invented in Louisiana and its moves are learned at a high cost to its citizenry. Prior to Nagin's running for Mayor of New Orleans, he was registered in the Republican Party, but, before qualifying, he changed his political affiliation to the Democratic Party. After his successful bid for office, as a now-prominent member of his newly chosen party, he decided not to follow the party line but, instead, endorsed Republican Bobby Jindal for Governor of Louisiana over Democrat Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, the eventual winner. In hindsight, his decision might not have been a bad one, but at the time, he seemed to be a traitor to the Democrats who both endorsed his candidacy and voted for him during his election. Later, he hesitantly backed Democratic Presidential Candidate John Kerry during the last Presidential campaign. His diffidence was quite noticeable and the final endorsement seemed more coerced than heart-felt. There is little question in my mind of whose lever he actually pulled on Election Day. Why is this important now? It shows a pattern-- evidence that he is willing to do or say whatever it takes to achieve his desired outcomes. Changing political parties to the predominate local party was simply a way to sway public sentiment and win support, regardless of whether or not he subscribed to the policies and beliefs of the party. It's just another way of hiding the truth in an attempt at pandering to the public. Whether it's seen in his support of the Urban Land Institute before their report effectively alienated large segments of the voting population, or his latest admission to a group of Katrina evacuees in Atlanta, his recent vocalizations follow in the same ilk. Over the past weekend, in Atlanta, he kowtowed to a roomful of opponents to the upcoming carnival celebration by stating that he was against holding parades and related events in the city. Everyone locally knows that Nagin has been supporting the 2006 Mardi Gras celebration since immediately after the storm (see http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05257/571047.stm). In fact, I heard his promise of an "awesome" celebration on the radio, while I was misplaced, nearly 200 miles from my home. Additionally, in recent weeks, his office has been busy trying to obtain corporate sponsorship for the event. It's just another ending to another show, or, perhaps, just the flavor of the day.
It seems as though we have an additional number of months to continue with indecisive and deceptive leadership. Of course, when the time comes, it will be up to the voters once again. Perhaps the devil we know is better than the politician we do not. Maybe inaction is better than some action in the wrong direction. Only time will tell, as those living in the affected areas will eventually find out what the true story really was and will certainly be able to tally all recorded attempts at deception.
For a story I wrote soon after this article was published, please read "Tale of the Donkeyderm," linked from my web site, http://cwmaxwell.atspace.com.
posted by Carson W. Maxwell at 10:59 PM
2 Comments:
Is there anyone--black, white, asian, hispanic--who thinks his speech would have been the same if he were facing two black opponents rather than Wilson and Fahrenholtz?
A FEMA trailer on the governors lawn, eh? That's funny, when some folks placed some evicted evacuees property on that lawn they were cited with littering.
watch the video here
there are several other Katrina injustice type videos on the site.
... and, are they going to let someone live in that trailer ... or just waste it for the photo op?
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