BLANCO'S FAILING ADMINISTRATION ... NYT TO THE RESCUE!

In Baton Rouge, no one is at the helm of Louisiana state government. Governor Kathy Blanco continues to demonstrate her unsuitability to hold office - and if she ever wins another election - it'll be for an office no higher than DOG CATCHER.

NEW YORK TIMES TO THE RESCUE!

Here's an article they published yesterday to portray her as a tough woman who is just misunderstood by us poor rednecks down here ...

After the Storm, She tries to mend State, and Career ...

Now if you look at this article - some of you will say "What's the problem Verc? Looks like they are just trying to be fair and balanced?"

Would that President Bush receive this kind of balance from the New York Times folks. Bush is blamed for things that NEVER happened and the NYT publishes the accusations in damning vernacular as the God's-honest truth.

Here we have a Governor, who is guilty of incompentance and negligence (case closed) - and the NYT thinks she deserves balance? Give me a break!

Let's recap here ...

Blanco is the Governor of a State with a city that scientists have said for years would be brutally mauled to death if even a CAT 3 hurricane hit it. She knew the forecast and the writing on the wall - YET SHE HAD ZERO PLAN AND WAS CAUGHT COMPLETELY FLAT-FOOTED BY KATRINA.

In order to deflect attention away from her incompetence - she turned to the typical Democratic strategy of first resort - BLAME BUSH! Libs will say that Bush is at fault. Well, I say this - Alabama was hit hard by Katrina - and Mississippi was DEVASTED by the storm - receiving much more damage than even Louisiana. Did their Governors blame Bush? No, they didn't. Their Governors were prepared and did their job. You don't hear anything about MS and AL being in chaos right now do you? You don't hear anything because they aren't. They're rebuilding and cooperating with the Feds and FEMA.

However, in Louisiana - chaos rules the day and folks - it's because of the little school-marm we elected to take the helm in Baton Rouge.

Blanco, facing the "ultimate storm" - the one they all warned us about - balked at ordering a Mandatory Evacuation of New Orleans! Result - over a thousand dead. However, when presented with this fact while testifying before Congress - Blanco opted instead to complain about the 52 Louisiana soldiers who have died in Iraq. Proof that she's not only incompetent - but a card-carrying member in good standing with the Terrorist Rights Party (read: Democrats). Seems to me that Blaco has more in common with Cindy Sheehan than she does your average Louisiana voter.

Bush was blamed for not sending the National Guard in soon enough after the storm to maintain order. However, it was actually BLANCO who caused the resulting carnage after the storm when she BALKED ON ALLOWING THE TROOPS IN!

When the people of the State screamed to high heavens for Blanco to support the bill to get rid of the political hacks currently running the levee boards - and consolidate all of the boards into one - with REAL ENGINEERS and SCIENTISTS on it - BLANCO REFUSED TO SUPPORT IT!

I'm sorry, there's no defense for her here. It was the levees that FAILED that caused the death in NOLA - over a thousand folks. You'd think that even a rookie would recognize that the situation should get priority attention for reform. Not Kathy Blanco though - she's not smart enought to figure that out.

When the effort to consolidate the levee boards failed during the special session - Louisianan's were so pissed-off that they demanded Kathy Blanco call another special session of the legislature to approve it.

Kathy Blanco wouldn't do it ....

Until State Rep. Steve Scalise (REPULICAN) started getting on WWL Radio (AM 870) to berate her. Then he went out and started a petition drive to pressure the Governor into calling another special session.

Once Kathy Blanco got wind that Scalise already had 45,000 signatures and was picking up major steam - Kathy Blanco decides FINALLY to call for another special session. She hasn't announced when it will happen - hasn't even released an agenda of what it's going to be for. But she called it to save face anyway.

Folks, this is not the way a REAL GOVERNOR does business!

What is Blanco's response to all this criticism? Well according to the NYTimes she says ....

"Sometimes people think you are falling down when you are the only one standing".

Huh?

Forget that this, literally, is an untrue statement - and assume that its a metaphor of some type.

Is Blanco then saying that the whole world -- EXCEPT HER -- is wrong? Or at fault?

Who is this woman? The Pope?

She doesn't look like the Pope to me but she has a SCARY resemblance to Emelda Marcos in my opinion -- at least in her outrageous attitude and her dictatorial declarations. And speaking of declarations - she also took the right to vote from us by cancelling elections - indefinitely!

And my favorite line out of this NYT article is this one ...

"But she asserted that she was far tougher than her critics allowed, noting that when she used phrases like "locked and loaded," it was because she knew how to handle a gun."

???

First of all - every woman in the South knows how to handle a gun - it's nothing special. It's a little ironic that this statement comes from a woman who is a member of a political party that has, as one of it's top priorities - the elimination of the second amendment but ...

WHAT IN THE SAM HILL PROMPTS BLANCO TO BOAST ABOUT HER FIREARM EXPERTISE WHEN THE ISSUE IS A HURRICANE THAT FLOODED OUT HER BIGGEST AND MOST VALUABLE CITY???

This woman is from Mars folks - call the MIB - I'm deadfire sure of it!

We need to recall this woman folks - she will kill more of us than the storm did.

And oh, by the way - SHE STILL DOESN'T HAVE A PLAN FOR NEXT HURRICANE SEASON!

Yup - it could happen all over again.

Time to pull the school-marm off the field and put a real pitcher on the mound.

THE RETURN OF THE OLD CURMUDGEON ...

An agreement has been reached by Saints owner Tom Benson (a.k.a. "The Old Curmudgeon") and NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue to return the Saints to New Orleans in 2006. The agreement was announced today. The team will play NO games in San Antonio - and even hopes to play all home games in the Superdome.

Rats!

Paul Tagliabue is obviously more astute when it comes to public relations than The Old Curmudgeon is. Tagliabue recognized the OBVIOUS negative PR affect of a team like the Saints abandoning its home city right after a biblical catastrophe like Katrina.

Personally, I wish he'd left well enough alone. I really don't care about the Saints - but the opportunity to purify this city of The Old Curmudgeon was one I was happy about. Now, thanks to Paul Tagliabue, the Old Curmudgeon will be returning.

And as soon as he gets back to NOLA - he'll start making demands. Demands for money, demands for new facilites ... you name it. You can't change a terrorist and when it comes to terrorism - the Old Curmudgeon wrote the handbook. If New Orleans has $2 left in the bank after Katrina - the Old Curmudgeon will demand that it's his and when he gets it - he'll go to Kathleen Blanco in Baton Rouge and demand more.

If you check the San Antonio newspapers today - you'll see that many of them feel like the Old Curmudgeon jilted them. San Antonio swung for the fence after the hurricane demolished the Big Easy in hopes that they would get the Saints - PERMANENTLY.

They really pulled out the stops - going to extreme lengths to prove to the NFL that they could sell tickets to the games. Businesses got involved, the mayor of San Antonio got involved - they really licked the Old Curmudgeon's boots. I have a point or two on this ...

First - what city would want to profit off of another city's disasterous fate? What kind of "prize" would make a city sell its soul to profit off a disaster?

The answer is ... of course ... NFL FOOTBALL! NFL Football is like a narcotic - you'll lie, cheat, steal - sell out your own family to get it. My question to San Antonio is ... "was it worth it?". Don't you feel like you need to take a shower now?

Second point is related to the first ... NFL is a NARCOTIC. And since it is a narcotic - the high feels wonderful at first - and then the cold reality of addiction sets in. San Antonio is going through withdrawal symptoms now.

However, I ENVY San Antonio. I envy San Antonio because the Old Curmudgeon will be getting on a plane soon and leaving that city. And he'll be returning here where we'll have to deal with his whining while we're trying to rebuild this city. The Old Curmudgeon is NOT a PIONEER. He has nary a bit of the spirit it takes to rebuild this city. Tom Benson is a leach - big fat cat welfare hog.

I SAY ... "HIT THE ROAD TOM BENSON!"

Tom Benson ...

Also known down here in NOLA as "The Old Curmudgeon" ...

Is the owner of the New Orleans Saints NFL Football team.

Before I get into the main points of this blog, let me just recap some Saints history.

The Saints joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1967 - almost 40 years ago. The best season they have ever had, I believe, was a 9 win / 7 loss season that magically occured way back in 1989 - which still wasn't good enough to get 'em into the playoffs. THE SAINTS ... are the undisputed most consistent losers in the entire history of football. NFL fans disagree on a lot of things - but not on this point. The Saints consistency in losing is absolutely STUNNING. Any other team in their shoes would have at least gotten lucky and made an appearance in the playoffs at least once in 40 years - not the Saints though.

In spite of that - the people of New Orleans are the most rabid and dedicated fans of any team in the NFL. They LOVE the Saints. They hate that they lose - but love the "Black and Gold". They've been sustained by the memory of Saints hero's like Archie Manning (who is revered almost as a "God" here in NOLA). Other heros include quarterback Bobby Hebert - who "almost" got 'em to the playoffs. And let's not forget Tom Dempsey who, according to NOLA legend - was born with half a foot and yet still made history in November, 1970 when he kicked that historic 63-yard field goal.

Saints fans are so rabid for the Saints that I fear if the Saints were ever to win a Superbowl - it would result in carnage on the streets of NOLA that would cause KATRINA to look pale in comparison. Folks, I'm not kidding on this point. I literally would be caught nowhere within the city if the Saints went to the Superbowl - win or lose - there would be chaos in the streets.

In 1975, with nothing but losing seasons under their belt, the city of New Orleans built the biggest stadium in NFL history for the Saints. At the time, it was hailed as a virtual wonder of the world - the Superdome. A magnificent facility for the NFL's worst team.

Yes, the city of NOLA loves their Saints.

But this sentiment isn't echoed by Tom Benson, "the old curmudgeon" owner of the Saints. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina - Tom Benson now wants to cut and run from the city and the people who put millions of dollars into his pocket. Tom Benson now wants to move to San Antonio.

My opinion?

I say -- "Get the hell out of here you old curmudgeon!!"

First, I'm not an NFL fan - and I'm amazed at how cities kow-tow and lick the boots of these teams. In 1975, New Orleans built the Superdome for the Saints - and even after a quarter century of more losing seasons, Tom Benson was demanding (even before Katrina) that the city build him an even bigger and better facility! Who else would have the gall to make this kind of demand except an NFL owner? Even more ironic is the fact that it came from the leagues most perfectly consistent LOSING owner. I have refused to watch NFL Football since Johnny Unitas retired. Johnny was a guy who played for the love of the sport - a genuine hero who took his responsibilities as a role model seriously - and he did all that for a pittance compared to what the players today rake in. The players these days are hopped-up on steriods and coke - are routinely jailed for illegal, frequently violent acts and they have no remorse or apologies for their actions - they just keep demanding more money. Not from me boys.

Second, when you've made millions bleeding a city - it's an act of cowardice to abandon that city in it's hour of need. Tom Benson has no problem with this though - to him, the most important thing is the bottom line (read $$). He doesn't care how he'll look to the world for throwing his city to the wolves. He just cares about money. And why? The guy is a multi-millionare who is like 100 years old. He doesn't have many years left. You'd think at this point he'd be trying to build up some good Karma for his meeting with his maker - which is going to be soon. But no, the old curmudgeon only cares about putting more money in his already bloated wallet. It's like he thinks he can take it with him or something.

Tom, if you want my vote - I say get the hell out of here. You're no better than me - or any of the poor folks who lost their homes in the Lower Ninth Ward (and the Supreme Being is going to remind you of this fact very soon when you meet him). This city has done nothing but put it's blood into your team - and you've never paid nary a drop of it back. Good riddance to you! Take your losing team to San Antonio - bilk them for awhile. Every city wants an NFL Football Team - but what they don't realize (but soon will) is that they'll be getting a losing team that has been the mockery of the NFL since the day it joined the league. Only the city of New Orleans could have put up with that and still loved you. San Antonio won't.

Leave the Fleur De Leis here in NOLA though - that belongs to us. Call yourself the "San Antonio Steers" - that's appropriate considering the half decade of impotence you and your team have demonstrated. Tom, really wish all the best - seriously, I do. But don't expect NOLA to put up with your crap anymore...

GO WEST OLD MAN!

I RETIRE FROM THE U.S. NAVY

Well, after 24 years in the USN - I officially retire effective 28 February. I'm actually on terminal leave right now - which means I've worn the uniform already for the last time. Feels a little strange. I haven't gotten a haircut in awhile and I don't shave every single day - I've opted the "every other day" strategy (which is unacceptable in the Navy).

I'm working as a consultant right now and the money is certainly sweet (especially since I'm still drawing my Navy check too!). I calculated that I'm making over $150K per year right now - of course, that will only last until my Navy paycheck runs out at the end of February and at that time, I'll only be making about $5K more than my Navy paycheck was - but hey, it's a raise right?!!

I joined the Navy in 1982 and went from E1 to E9 in 14 years - not many can say they did that. I also served as a submarine Chief of the Boat and did two tours as a Command Master Chief - one aboard an Aegis Cruiser that saw duty in both the Iraq and Afghan wars. I served at the White House for six months of (senior) Bush's presidency and for two and half years of Slick Willie's. I've been a crewmember of the World's Deepest Diving Submarine, and served on a Nuclear Fast Attack Sub that played many cat and mouse games with our old adversaries, the Soviets, during the Cold War.

It's been a very good run.

It would have been longer had it not been for Hurricane Katrina. You see, in the Navy, you have to pretty much move every 3 or 4 years. When you have a flooded house with no flood insurance - you CAN'T MOVE without going bankrupt. Additionally, as a Command Master Chief - I worked at the pleasure of my Commanding Officer - and the skipper and I had a major falling out after the storm about some policy decisions that I felt didn't take care of our Sailors. Nothing against Charlie Oscar - the skipper is the one at the helm but I just couldn't support a skipper making those kinds of decisions. When presented the opportunity to exit the scene - I took it. Nothing against the CO, when BIBLICAL events like Katrina occur - BIBLICAL decisions have to be made that really impact people's lives. I disagreed with the decisions - but don't disagree with the right of the CO to make them. I could have asked for a transfer - but with a flooded house - where else could the Navy send me where I wouldn't have to pay rent or another mortgage?

So now, here I am as a civilian. Man, life sure is differnt. First of all - like I said - I don't have to shave everyday. However, I DO have to pick out something to wear - can't wear the same thing everyday like the uniform days.

At my civvie job - I don't have 20 people tracking my action items. I get a "due date" on a project and people leave me alone until that due date. When I deliver the job to them completed - I get a Thanks! If it's not delivered on time - then I suppose that they would get upset but as long as I perform - life is great. A far cry from my Navy days where everyone is "tickled" for an action item five minutes after it's assigned. My boss gets a little rattled whenever I call her "Ma'am" - she prefers me to use her first name. This takes some getting used to. But it's kinda cool too.

So off I go!

I'll miss not wearing the uniform. I really wanted to remain until we put the nails in the coffins of every Islamo-fascist terrorist out there. Don't know about you - but I genuinely HATE those guys. My memories about 9-11 are still fresh. I wish death on the whole lot of them and I regret I'm not going to be standing over the body of the last one we kill. But let me tell you - these kids in uniform these days ... these kids who are fighting for YOUR right to exist over in Iraq and Afghanistan - these kids HAVE IT!! They are every bit as good as our grandfathers and grandmothers who saved this world from Nazi fascism over 50 years ago. Never thought I'd say that - but by God - it's true. Support them and they will do you proud. They will make YOU the next "Greatest Generation".

So goodbye Globar War on Terror and Hello to the battle of rebuilding New Orleans. However, no matter what anyone in the U.S. thinks - I firmly believe that the battle for New Orleans is a worthy one - and one that will impact our Nation's survival. I think I can pour every bit of passion I had for the Navy into that effort.

So off into my new life as a civilian I go!

THE THIRD WORLD BOMB

Iran is on the verge of making a nuclear bomb - and people are starting to get upset about that.

All I can say is ... "Welcome to the generation of the third world bomb(s)!"

Come on folks - we all knew this would happen - ever since WE invented the bomb. Were we really so silly enough to believe that the technology would not one day spread to countries where we DIDN'T want it to exist? Sure, we took steps to keep the technology from proliferating and those certainly played a role in delaying the spread of it. But you can't hold technology back - even in backward countries.

Everyone wants to know what we can do to prevent Iran from getting the bomb but - what solution are you going to find that also addresses North Korea? Hugo Chavez will have bomb one day. Castro - the dictator that refuses to die - will be making his own bombs one day. This is the GENERATION OF THE THIRD WORLD BOMB - WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Well, let me tell you. Do you remember a little program that Ronald Reagan began waaaay back in the '80's? A program that folks like Ted Kennedy scoffed at him for. A program that ALL Democrats claimed was a foolish pipe-dream?

A program that was CUT by Bill Clinton but ressurected by George Bush?

A program mockingly labeled by the Democrats as ... STAR WARS?

Well, that "Star Wars" program - which is actually BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE has managed to survive all these years since Reagan breathed life into it. Scientists no longer laugh at the idea of destroying a nuclear missile in mid-flight because this program has already proven that it can be done.

The U.S. already HAS a ballistic missile defense network - bet you didn't know that did you? The problem is - I wouldn't really describe it as a ROBUST one. U.S. defense planners have already concieved a large ballistic missile defense network that is global in nature and employs sea, air, land, and SPACE based components. Some of these components are in place NOW. But to complete the network - to make it really effective - we need to do something that Democrats have been unwilling to do since the days of Reagan. We need to put money and resources into it. We need to commit to missile defense as a national strategy to deal with (neutralize) the coming Third World Bomb.

No, ... missile defense does nothing to prevent a small suitcase-sized nuke from being smuggled into this or any other country and then detonated. And that's one of the big reasons that Dem's have never supported the idea. However, that's a completely different problem - in my opinion, it's a much simpler problem to solve from a technological standpoint. And we will have to solve it.

But we also need to address ballistic missile defense - and TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

We aren't going to stop Iran from getting the bomb. We aren't going to stop North Korea from getting it. We aren't going to stop Hugo Chavez and Castro from getting it any more than we were able to stop India and Pakistan from getting it. Nuclear proliferation is a global epedemic that requires a new strategy.

The U.S. and it's key allies should develop this nuclear ballistic missile defense. We should develop it - and demonstrate it's effectiveness to the world. And after decades of bashing from the Democratic party - we'll have to really prove that the program works.

But once we've done that - we should then announce that our nuclear deterent program has shifted from a philosophy of "MAD" (Mutually Assured Destruction) to a philosophy of "YAD" (YOUR Assured Destruction). Launch a nuke - we shoot it down and then pave your country in glass with our nukes that YOU can't shoot down. It's logical, once you demonstrate a nuclear hostility - we eliminate the immediate threat by shooting it down - then eliminate the remaining potential nuclear threat on the ground - and the only way to do that is by using our own nukes to bomb YOU back into the stone age.

Aquire a robust ballistic missile defense - and announce a "YAD" strategy - and you'll then have the Third World Bomb neutralized except for the small portable hand-carried threat. That threat can easily be neutralized by taking REAL control of our borders and using technologies to detect these devices before they're imported into our country.

That's the solution folks.

THEY GOT OUT OF IT!

Check out the last sentence my last blog where I say "I just don't see how the Dem's can get out of this one."

That comment was made in reference to the pickle the Dem's were in over the Patriot Act this time yesterday. Well, guess what - Harry Reid and his cast of amateurs DID GET OUT OF IT.

Either I'm underestimating the cleverness of the Dems or I''m overestimating the fight in Republicans. I think my err has more to do with the latter than the former.

Completely bent over a barrel yesterday - the Republicans allowed the Dems to escape their grasp and agreed to a compromise extension of the Patriot Act of six months.

Republicans and the President should have stood FIRM on the issue. They didn't - they blinked.

AMATEUR HOUR IN THE TERRORIST'S RIGHTS PARTY

Last Friday, Harry Reid left the Senate chamber of Congress, found an open mike and a group of ready and willing reporters and back-slapingly announced ... "Think of what just happened a few minutes ago in the Senate ... WE JUST KILLED THE PATRIOT ACT!"

Yeah, think about what just happened Harry - YOUR Terrorist's Rights Party just went on record with the American people as obstructionists in the war on terror. Rather than back-slapping, you need to be in a corner crying somewhere my friend - because your party is now backed deep into a very dark corner.

You're in a dark corner because ...

1. You screamed to high heavens when Valerie Plame's name was released to the press. However, that leak DID NOT compromise National Security. The worst it did was end the career of an inactive CIA agent whose career arguably ended when she married her politically operative and very conspicuous husband - Joe Wilson. Let's remember here - spies are supposed to be LOW PROFILE there Valerie. However, when news of the NSA wiretapping was leaked to the press - a leak that DOES cause damage to National Security and will certainly put lives in danger - Harry and the TRP are silent about getting to the bottom of it. The American people aren't stupid enough to miss this hypocracy Harry.

2. "We just killed the Patriot Act" - Harry, rule number one in politics is that you never utter a sentence like that. That's why pro-abortionists call themselves "pro-choice". It just sounds bad to say you're in favor of abortion - because abortion means killing. You don't "kill" a "patriot act" Harry, you amateur. American's like the word "patriot" and they don't want to see you jumping for joy for killing anything associated with the word. If you were smart - you would have thought of another term for the Patriot Act - maybe "Presidential Power Usurpation Act" - or something like that. I don't want to do you work for you though. Just trying to point out what a complete imbecile you are.

3. "We just killed the Patriot Act" - Well, if it doesn't get passed this week - you're darned right - YOU KILLED IT. And now we all have a nice little soundbite (recorded for posterity) from you announcing that YOU are responsible for it. That's going to make some cherry airplay immediately after the next terrorist attack. Yep, Harry and the TRP killed the Patriot Act and that's why we had another successful terrorist attack. Harry, you're an idiot for going on record like this - but I love it!

4. Last but not least - the Prez is fed up with you. I think GW is ready to pull the gloves off and starting kicking some serious brownie. Harry, you've had a good run, but you should've known when to quit - and you should always quit before the bigger guy gets pissed off. But he's pissed now and he ain't gonna take any more of your crap. I predict a painful new year for the TRP. Enjoy Christmas though - er, I mean - "Happy Holidays" to ya!

I just don't see a way the Dem's can get out of this one.

CAN THE CAMERAS ALREADY ... PLEASE!

I think I have come up with a way to both restore some honesty and certainly some productivity to American government ...

REMOVE THE CAMERAS IN CONGRESS!!

Can we just pronounce this a failed program already? I mean seriously, what has our government become since we installed cameras and CSPAN into both chambers of Congress?

Both houses of Congress have become nothing more than vehicles of demagogery since we put those cameras in there. They don't even try to hide it anymore - whoever has the floor just looks right into the camera while they're making their speech. And why not? They aren't talking to the other members of Congress (as they should be) - they're talking to the American people. It's called "face-time" folks. All the members of Congress know they have to get up where their constituents can see them and make stirring and outrageous speeches.

It's sickening. How much would Congress get done if their members weren't constantly auditioning for the next election on the Congressional cameras?

Man, I watch this stuff - and it just upsets me. These guys are ridiculous. Especially when an investigation is going on. Don't ever call me in front of Congress to testify - 'cause I aint gonna take their abuse. Instead of investigating - the members of these committees PONTIFICATE.

Take Congressman Gene Taylor of Mississippi when he was supposedly questioning the former FEMA head Michael Brown. Now, old Gene is from Mississippi, which was hard hit by KATRINA - so Gene figures he has to put on a big show and blast the beejabbers out of Mike Brown. All this so that the folks back in Mississippi will know that GENE TAYLOR - BY GOLLY - IS IN CHARGE AND AT THE HELM!

Little Gene looked like a high school kid in drama class with his tirade against Mike Brown. And let's remember here, by this time - Mike Brown was a "has been" - he'd already been fired - so what in the world did piling on him accomplish?

Answer - nothing.

Message to Gene - how about doing something concrete for your constituents instead of feigning emotional outbursts on National TV? How about doing a Congressman's work the old fashioned HARD WAY? Work the back offices and produce some results! Actions, not words.

Don't mean to pick on Gene - he's not the only example. Congress is full of wackos (read: Maxine Waters) and these cameras allow these people to crawl right into your living room. I didn't vote for these wackos - let them pester the folks who put them in office! Leave me alone. The people who elected them might be idiots but I'm not - so don't treat me like one by telling me that Bush blew up the levees in New Orleans!

It's gotten ridiculous folks - remove the cameras!

NAGIN'S PLAN FOR REBUILDING NEW ORLEANS

No one really knows what Mayor Ray Nagin's plan is to rebuild NOLA. He keeps changing his mind on the particulars of the rebuilding strategy but the first step of his plan he's never waiverd from. What is that FIRST STEP?

Well its ...

"Reinstalling the URBAN POOR"

Nagin is upset and trying desparately to find a way to get the people who can't take care of themselves back into NOLA. Well, isn't that logical folks? I mean, the FIRST STEP in any rebuilding program is to ensure that you have lots of people in place with their hands out demanding that you take care of 'em! That way the rest of the rebuilding plan is in jeopardy!

Nagin wants to do this because he knows those people are his political base - without them, he has no chance of reelection. We can't hold elections in Louisiana right now until we get those folks back into the state. Without 'em - Louisiana clearly goes firmly into the slate of "RED STATES".

But here's the reality - Nagin doesn't have the resources to take care of those folks - so they ain't comin' back!

This isn't racist. I realize that most of those folks are African American but color is irrelavant here. There are also a great number of whites who aren't coming back for the same reason. Who cares?

The reality is - NOLA will be rebuilt by PIONEER TYPES. People who are willing to withstand hardship in an unstable situation that offers a promise of a better life to those who are willing to work their fingers to the bone to get it. NOLA will be rebuilt by the same kind of folks who left their cushy lives in the eastern U.S. and headed west early in our nation's history. The same kind of folks who braved angry Indians and starvation and headed west for the promise of opportunity.

And that doesn't mean they'll be WHITE either!

In fact, at the current moment - it looks like they'll be BROWN. Most of the folks headed to this area to rebuild are Hispanics - Mexicans particularly. Suddenly, businesses are rushing to hire bilingual employees so they can communicate with these people and benefit from their patronage.

My message to these brave Hispanics is ...

"Welcome to Louisiana - I'm here to rebuild with you!"

Ray Nagin hasn't been as welcoming to these new pioneers. In fact, he's been downright racial in his reaction to them.

But here's the facts folks. Drive through east NOLA and you'll see almost no sign of life except these Hispanics - working to rebuild the city. And if they rebuild it - they should own it - or the biggest share in it anyway.

My message to those (of any race) who have a problem with this?

Get over it!

NOLA is a distroyed city - property of no one. Doesn't matter if you were born here or not - if you aren't back here living in a tent and rebuilding by now - you've sacrificed your birthright and it will be reclaimed by those willing to do the hard work.

And that's the way it ought to be.

THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF LOUISIANA

Yes folks, break out your dusty copies of "The Communist Manifesto" which have been put away since the 60's! They'll come in handy now that Louisiana has gone "Communist".

Well, maybe Kathy Blanco and her politboro aren't actually going communist - it's actually much worse.

It's much worse because even the Communists held sham elections.

But not here in Lousiana - we won't even do that.

Millions of Iraqis went to the polls this week to vote - at the threat of being killed by terrorists.

Even Sadaam Hussien, when he was in power - held elections - such as they were.

They hold elections in Iran and China too. Maybe even in North Korea - I'm not sure. They're not legitimate but at least they expend some effort to put on a show.

But not Kathy Blanco - she just issues an edict and CANCELS the elections in Louisiana! Indefinitely! Just cancelled 'em without even breathing a word of when they might actually ever be held!

Note to Kathy Blanco and every other crooked politician in Louisiana ...

We're tired of ALL OF YOU. You let us down after Hurricane Katrina - actually, you let us down WELL BEFORE KATRINA.

I'm told the historical root of the word "Katrina" comes from something in ancient Greek which translates to "the cleansing".

And A CLEANSING is actually what is going to happen here in Lousiana folks! The crooked politicians can run - boy can they run - but they can not hide!

So to Kathy Blanco I say - fine - put the elections off - but your days are numbered gal!

OUTRAGE OF THE DAY ...

The number one issue in the news media today is how the National Security Agency has been "spying" on people.

My Oh My! What has the world come to when an INTELLEGENCE AGENCY is out there COLLECTING INTELLEGENCE???!!! I'm so shocked!

Politicians are rushing to the MSM microphones to articulate just how SHOCKED they are by this outrage - and the MSM just keeps pouring fuel on the fire.

Let me just say one thing folks - since 9-11, there hasn't been a single terrorist attack in this country.

Inspite of the fact that Osama Bin Laden's Islamofacists have declared all-out war on the U.S. In spite of the fact that they have offered untold numbers of virgins in paradise to would-be suicide bombers if they can just get into the U.S. and blow themselves up. In spite of the fact that the U.S. is the #1 target of these Islamofacists - NOT A SINGLE SUCCESSFUL ATTACK HAS TAKEN PLACE IN THIS COUNTRY.

That's a great record, and like all things American - we have to do SOMETHING to wreck that success and pull defeat out of the jaws of victory!

So this week we have ...

1. Complained and demanded that the Patriot Act not be renewed. One of the indespensible tools that has kept our country safe since 9-11.

2. Announced to the world that we don't torture captive terrorists - heck, we won't even degrade them. If they don't want to tell us anything about planned attacks on America - that's okay. Better to suffer a nuke explosion in a heavily populated city that kills millions and wrecks our national economy than to strap one single terrorist on a board and pour water on him! This is awesome news for ... who? The terrorists?

3. Complained and demanded that the NSA halt it's domestic spying activities. Well, what the hay? We might as well seeing as how even if they CATCH a terrorist - we aren't allowed to pump him for information.

Go ahead America - buy into every single bit of it. Give the news media a pass on this and forgive every feigned emotional outrage that these disgusting politicians act out.

And when a nuke goes off in your town - and KILLS YOUR FAMILY...

Don't blame John McCain - who pressured the White House into denouncing torture as a means to get information from terrorists ...

Don't blame Bob Beckel and Dennis Kucinich for crying out that the NSA stop it's domestic spying activities.

Don't blame Harry Reid for killing off the Patriot Act.

No - do what you've always done - and sit by and allow the loud mouths to BLAME BUSH!

Folks, what a short memory YOU have. After 9-11, YOU SCREAMED for the government to prevent future terrorist attacks and guess what - THE GOVERNMENT UNDER GEORGE W. BUSH HAS DONE IT. Zero attacks. Now you want to quibble with his success? You want to rob him of the tools to keep your family safe? How logical is this.

Abe Lincoln saved this Union of ours - and he did it dirty. He suspended Habeas Corpus and took a lot of other illegal actions. Aren't you glad now that he did? If America had been split into the United and Confederate States when Adolf Hitler set out to conquer the world - do you think we'd have stopped him? Think about it.

For the record - I favor ...

1. The NSA snooping my emails and everyone else's. They can even monitor my own phone calls - I've nothing to hide!

2. I favor the renewal of the Patriot Act ...

3. If necessary to gain information on a pending attack on the U.S. or it's citizens - I favor holding a hot blow torch to a terrorist's testicles if it'll make him talk! And believe me - IT WILL MAKE HIM TALK.

You won't have me or George Bush or anyone else who supports WINNING the Global War on Terror to blame for the next attack. No Sir - that will be ON YOUR HEAD. Better get off your duffs and write your congressmen and women and tell them to QUIT THE NONSENSE! GET SERIOUS ABOUT FIGHTING THIS WAR AND PROTECTING AMERICA!

REMEMBER!

BLANCO'S BOTCH ...

This week many of the Blanco administration's post-Katrina emails leaked to the news media. Those emails show just how void of leadership Louisiana was at the critical moment immediately after Katrina destroyed New Orleans. And yes, I said DESTROYED - the French Quarter is not New Orleans folks. But that's a topic for another blog.

Governor Blanco, and her merry band of cronies are nothing more than mental midgets. They are unqualified even to serve on a local levee board - let alone the Governor's mansion. It is clear that they had one strategy from the start of this tragedy - "BLAME BUSH".

My message to Kathleen - who happens to TEMPORARILY occupy the Louisiana Governor's mansion is this - "Don't even try it!"

Don't even try it because, as negligent as you were in the days before and after the storm - that's nothing compared to your negligence since you entered the Governor's mansion.

Governor Kathleen Blanco knew full well when she took office what the situation in New Orleans was, long before the storm - and she did nothing about it. She knew the city sat below sea level in a ringside seat on the Gulf Coast's "hurricane alley". She knew that most of the inner city poor there had no means to evacuate if the "big one" came. She knew that the levees constructed by the Federal Government to protect New Orleans, even under the best circumstances, could possibly only protect NOLA from a Category 3 storm or less. She's familiar with NOLA - she knew the city would descend into lawless chaos at the drop of a hat!

What was Governor Blanco's plan six, nine months ago to mitigate a catastrophe that most experts said WOULD happen one day?

Did she ever put forth a plan to evacuate the inner city poor? Did she have a plan to keep law and order? Did she have any plan that could be implemented when the "big one" came?

No, she did not.

She neglected the problem until the "big one" finally came and made some frantic phone calls to FEMA the day before the storm hit to get some evacuation buses down here. She waffled on the issue of allowing Federal troops in to restore order. And she'd have you believe that those strategies are worthy of the term "leadership".

Who was responsible for devising the plan to evacuate NOLA? Who was responsible for devising a plan to maintain order? Was it President Bush? The man who is busy fighting the Global War on Terrorism? A man who isn't even familiar with the particulars of NOLA or Louisiana?

No, it's not George Bush - it's KATHY BLANCO that's to blame for the magnitude of the calamity in NOLA. As a Lousianan - Blanco knew full well just how in jeopardy NOLA was. She knew how exposed NOLA was and she knew how bad a disaster could get. Worse - she was POSITIONED perfectly to do something about it.

She did nothing - her only plan was to call Uncle Sam - a day or two before the disaster - and demand miracles.

And guess what - SHE STILL HAS NO PLAN. Even in light of all we've been through - she has no plan to do any better the next time the "big one" comes to visit. And that visit might only be eight months away.

Will someone recall this sorority girl and put her in a job that she's qualified to perform? I'm thinking something along the lines of a secretary or real estate agent. She has NO leadership ability whatsoever and she's demonstrated it.

When the plan was proposed to the state legislature to consolidate all of the levee boards and replace the political hacks that currently serve on them with REAL PROFESSIONALS - where was Kathleen Blanco? Did she throw her support behind this intiative and dare the legislature NOT to pass it?

No- Kathleen was AWOL. She didn't want to firmly commit one way or the other.

Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi threw several recovery plans to his state legislature and told them - "Pick one and approve it - now!". When the casino's balked at rebuilding on the Gulf Coast because Mississippi state laws confined the casinos to barges on the water - Barbour, a man who had campaigned to keep gambling LIMITED within the state - threw the full weight of his office behind a new law allowing the casinos to rebuild on land. And he got it passed within weeks after the storm! That's leadership folks.

But don't expect that kind of leadership to come out of Blanco's administration.

KATRINA PHOTOS ...

Here's a link to some photo's my neighbor took as the hurricane rolled through. HE STAYED (I RAN). He had quite an adventure. One of these photos is a bit humorous as you can see that he's thrown some towels down around his back door to keep the encroaching water out. Didn't help much as all of the houses in this subdivision took anywhere from 5 to 8 feet of water.

Springhill Subdivision, Slidell ...

It really WAS a beautiful place.