tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31771970.post115605811591639869..comments2024-01-27T10:44:52.906-06:00Comments on The Moving Picture Blog: "When the Levees Broke"Joe Leydonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16480093833915945352noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31771970.post-71902701506802722532007-06-29T18:53:00.000-05:002007-06-29T18:53:00.000-05:00I've been a fan of New Orleans since I was 9 years...I've been a fan of New Orleans since I was 9 years old. My mother took me there on our way back to Houston after visiting my grandparents in Florida. I cannot describe the feeling I felt just from being there. Once I arrived, I knew it was a special place. I strolled down Bourbon Street, I had a Milk Punch at the Columns (yes, I was only 9) while listening to a live jazz band and I had my first of many dinners at Galatoire's. I've been coming back ever since then. My crazy road trips to the Big Easy during my college years have made college that much more memorable. I met a guy that had never been there and I told him, "What until you get there. You won't want to leave." He fell in love with the city and as a result I fell in love with him even more. We continue to go back and rediscover the city each time. Last time it was Kermit Ruffins at Vaughn's. I know I'm a little late for that, but all the more reason to keep returing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31771970.post-1156987532693823572006-08-30T20:25:00.000-05:002006-08-30T20:25:00.000-05:00What's getting old is Bush/GOP PR as a substitute ...What's getting old is Bush/GOP PR as a substitute for governance and accountability.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31771970.post-1156442478156525112006-08-24T13:01:00.000-05:002006-08-24T13:01:00.000-05:00I don't disagree with much of the review of Lee's ...I don't disagree with much of the review of Lee's film. I managed to watch both parts uninterrupted and as a local New Orleanian, I feel the "black" pain for the thousands of displaced live both white and black residents of my home town, in no particular order of importance less I be called a racist while imposing a balance of the New Orleans story concerning Katrina. Government response on every level was appalling (and hasn't improved much as of late) and why should any of us expect it to get any better? While our State Legislature takes up it's valuable time debating cock fighting in whatever Parish while the Southeastern part of Louisiana dissolves into the Gulf daily, is it any wonder why our National politicians and leaders aren't pouring their hearts out on our tragedy? It is our right as Americans--like the very irrelevant Belafonte and Sharpton who had nothing to do and contributed nothing but Bush bashing to the poignant film--to say whatever we feel about any politician, but self-reflection should always be a reciprocal activity when we choose that option.<BR/><BR/>The film was a true representation of feelings of displaced and/or recovering residents on New Orleans. But let's not forget who has been running the city of New Orleans since the election of Dutch Morial before we play a racist card. It's much too easy point out the splinter in my eye when the log resides in yours. If we as Americans denounce racism as the cause for all of our problems and then insist that "we as a race" deserve something more than we have collectively earned, have we not engaged in circular reasoning? Take a listen to Mr. Cosby for a full explanation of the Black Condition since I'm of the wrong color to speak authoritatively. His principles apply to any color or nationality; they are universally true no matter who may disagree with Mr. Cosby's specific pointedness.<BR/><BR/>The point I extracted from Spike's excellent film: If I depend on government, I get what I deserve. If I do it myself, however hard or impossible it may be, it'll be my own work and sweat equity invested. So when Mother Nature decides to take it away, it's between me and Her, not the President. Yes, government is the problem, but not one person: all of us since we are a government of the people, by the people and for the people who have turned it over bit by bit to politicians past and present who vote funds to the most effective voting block for the next election.<BR/><BR/>Bravo, Spike; get a clue Bush bashers. It's getting old . . .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31771970.post-1156265099694394842006-08-22T11:44:00.000-05:002006-08-22T11:44:00.000-05:00State citizens pay the federal government tax mone...State citizens pay the federal government tax money (the biggest amount on their pay stub) precisely because it takes a collaborative entity like FEMA was supposed to be, to handle multistate disasters of this magnitude. Unfortunately, FEMA was dismantled by this administration and a horse lawyer campaign donor was put in charge with no expertise. And let's not forget the federal de-funding of levee and infrastructure programs meant to fix this system the local politicians and the newspaper had been screaming about over a year or two beforehand. So get it straight... all roads lead back to an administration that quite frankly... doesn't care about black people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31771970.post-1156225449127462662006-08-22T00:44:00.000-05:002006-08-22T00:44:00.000-05:00I watched "When the Levees Broke" tonight, Acts I ...I watched "When the Levees Broke" tonight, Acts I & II. It was moving and emotional. Lee makes excellent movies and this documentary, although long, is no exception. It must be long to tell all of this. I just imagine my own family in this situation. <BR/>To watch the mayor and govornor each attempt to be blameless was really annoying. There were so many factors in all of it they all share the mistake of not taking serious action earlier. Much earlier. Hind site is always 20/20.<BR/>This is excellent. Watch it!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31771970.post-1156136234330485172006-08-20T23:57:00.000-05:002006-08-20T23:57:00.000-05:00You should post your review on DailyKos.com. The H...You should post your review on DailyKos.com. The HBO ad has been running on that site for over a week.<BR/><BR/>My husband and I have helped a Katrina evacuee get back on his feet in another Southern city. He would concur with the others who have discovered the failings of N.O. in regards to education, social services, crime etc. He is often shocked when local government fuctions as it is supposed to. He keeps inviting his friends to come see him here and says he is never going to live in N.O. again. He will visit often, but not live there again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com