Author Archives

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Learning to live in the shadow of environmental doom

Do we have what it will take for New Orleans to survive the next Big One?

One opinion from a young native New Orleanian, in view of the recent environmental devastation around the state. Some excerpts:

Growing up in Louisiana doesn’t exactly instill strong faith in the fairness or integrity of government or official agencies. The lopsided Katrina “recovery” solidified my cynicism….

…There is so much raw sadness here, so much raw joy. So many of my fellow citizens are treated without dignity or respect and they still manage to maintain open hearts and a clear-eyed love for the city. There is an art to pleasure here, life for life’s sake. Why can’t all the beauty here be enough to assure New Orleans’ survival?

The August floods spared the city while places 45 minutes away were ravaged. Countless thousands of Louisianans are now mourning a life that will be forever marked by the dumbfounding destruction floodwaters bring. My heart aches for them. And I feel stunned, the way you would if an 18-wheeler jackknifed and flipped on the Interstate 100 yards ahead of you….

…I know to live honestly in New Orleans I have to live like the imminence of disaster is a reality. If you choose to live here now, you’re signing up for a second job, which is helping this city survive. The question is whether enough of us will assume that burden.

Source: Katrina remembered: Learning to live in the shadow of environmental doom | The Lens

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Southern Decadence 2016 Parades

These routes are still tentative as of the time of this post. Check the website if, for some reason, you are in need of up-to-the-minute information.

There are two official Southern Decadence parades for 2016.

The FRIDAY NIGHT parade is a float parade through the streets
of the French Quarter presented by Toby LeFort and the Knights of Decadence.
The parade formation time is 6:15 P.M.
The parade starting time is 7:30 P.M.
 
HERE IS THE OFFICIAL PARADE ROUTE
OF THE FRIDAY NIGHT PARADE:

SD-Parade-Route-Friday16

The SUNDAY AFTERNOON parade is the traditional Southern Decadence
Grand Marshal Parade.  It is a walking parade with no motorized vehicles
except for one truck at the front of the parade that will carry the sound system
for the Southern Decadence Grand Marshals’ entourage.
The parade formation time is 1:00 P.M.
The parade starting time is 2:00 P.M.

HERE IS THE OFFICIAL PARADE ROUTE
OF THE SUNDAY AFTERNOON PARADE:

SD-Parade-Route-Sunday16

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Remembering 11 yrs ago

 Peter Boutte’s 7th Ward Haiku

“castaways adrift”

Storm came washed away

People, property and dreams

Never seen again

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#NoNewLeases

 

Gulf Coast residents are risking arrest at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) in New Orleans. They are demanding that President Obama cancel the auction where millions of acres of the Gulf will be sold to the oil and gas industry.

Debris from the homes of residents impacted by the recent Louisiana floods was brought to the front door of BOEM‘s office with a simple message: More Drilling = More Floods.

Right now at least three people are risking arrest inside the office after delivering a petition signed by over 170,000 people demanding that the auction be cancelled.

The auction is today.

 

Please also DONATE to support Gulf Coast residents impacted by the recent floods:bit.ly/GulfSupport

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Church Alley Acadiana Update

The great Renee Blanchard, owner of Church Alley Coffee on OCH has personally led efforts to get recovery started in the parishes affected by the flood around Lafayette. This is her Sunday update:

Very overwhelmed by the good and compassion and love from so many people in Louisiana right now. From all the businesses in New Orleans who got 24 large carloads of emergency supplies to Vermillion, Iberia, and Livingston Parish in 5 days to the people we have met in local churches showing up everyday to get those supplies into the hands of those that deeply need them to Tony Wade who not only got 24 boats into Livingston Parish last weekend and worked 72 straight hours rescuing people, but who is now back in St Mary Parish rescuing animals in the 5 surrounding parishes with just him and one other guy. 70 animals so far this week.

Do your best to help those in these parishes where little attention and organized support has landed yet. Check in with her Church Alley Facebook page.

#CajunNavy

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Another Gulf Is Needed More Than Ever

From Activist Cherri Foytlin:

Feeling a little low. If I’m to be honest with myself, it’s probably exhaustion mostly. But, I’m also worried about my insurance, and FEMA, and my community. And everyone is feeling the stress of being displaced in our own dwelling. We still have three rooms left to pull the carpet out. Water is STILL leaking from the walls. The rest of the floors may need to come up too. Furniture and a mattress had to be thrown away… Don’t get me wrong. I am proud that my six amazing kids, and an unofficial seventh – Logan, have been helping, each in their own capacity. And our neighbor Christine came over to help, and my nephew lil’ Dylan too. And I’m sure you know Karen has been incredible! I’m super glad that there has been no rain since this morning… It’s just that, I’ve worked really hard to provide for my kids, ya know? We all work SO hard. And ya, we’ll survive it, and for sure many others are a lot worse off… but, damn… ‪#‎thestruggleisreal‬

Postscript: Do not send me money. If you would like to make a donation on me behalf to ‪#‎AnotherGulf‬ week of action, I’d appreciate that. All previously planned events are a go, and I think we need it now more than ever.

https://www.crowdrise.com/another-gulf-is-possible-resistan…

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Hare Krishna stories

Hey folks- I am collecting stories from people who regularly go to the Hare Krishna House on Esplanade for Sunday dinner or have some other connection to the local ISKCON community. Message me at contact info found in sidebar or comment here if you want to share.