Burnt Orange Report

Probably just a slip of the mind on her part. Or a reflection of the minds at work at her law firm. Which is summed up best by two words. Batson Report. This is summed up best by one word. Unbelievable. Someone needs to explain to her that the center of that culture, that "gumbo zone" also known as the French Quarter, survived the hurricane. And with a little luck, it will survive the politicians as well.

The check will not be in the mail, Barbara Ann.

The senate race is like a menu at a Chinese restaurant. Choose one from column A or column B. You still get the eggroll and fortune cookie. And Vinson & Elkins.

Oh man, BS is agreeing with me. I'm now the least popular person on BOR.

Being culturally sensitive, so to speak, transcends being popular. Can't have everything.

Before jumping to a lot of conclusions about the flaws you perceive in Barbara Radnofsky's proposal, I respectfully suggest that you get involved with some of the hurricane survivors and get to know them on a personal level. Like Radnofsky herself, some of us in Austin Kos have been doing that, and we know that quite a few of the survivors have already decided that they want to live in Austin and other Texas cities permanently and not return to New Orleans. Their reasons for this are as varied as the individuals themselves. So, given that, BAR's proposal could create jobs for many of the Katrina survivors in Texas, who of course have a host of skills and are extremely eager to be employed again. Here in Austin, many of the people from New Orleans have commented on the similarity between Austin's Sixth Street and the French Quarter, something that they were very pleased to discover and that makes them feel more at home here. So why not expand on that? If they would love to set up N.O.-style establishments here and the rest of us would love to support those establishments, I don't see what's wrong with facilitating that.

Friday night, we had a gumbo & jambalaya party here in Austin. A New Orleans chef here wanted to make gumbo and jambalaya for some of the other survivors and for us, so a group effort made that happen. Having some of the authentic food that the survivors were craving meant so much to them, and I certainly have never tasted better gumbo & jambalaya. Why not help create jobs for the people who have such skills and are longing to put them to use again?

Yes, some survivors will be returning to relatively undamaged parts of New Orleans as soon as possible; others who want to return may not be able to do so for quite some time. Many already want to stay in Texas, and it's likely that after living here for a while, others will decide to stay too.

What's your idea for creating new jobs for the Katrina survivors in Texas? Or do you think they should just keep living by the thousands on cots in conventions centers and sports arenas?

Where are you coming from Man?

I have been living in the Austin Convention Center for the last few days, and have felt welcomed, loved and accepted by the people of this great city. This proposal would be a great way for me and my fellow survivors from New Orleans to share our rich cutural heritage and traditions with the people of Austin and other parts of Texas who have welcomed us, and give us a way to retain our culture and dignity and move forward while living and working among our new friends. New Orleanians could give back to those who have welcomed us and given us so much, but maintain our identity and not just be assimilated.

Hey Man, as I read on a calendar given to me when I went to a Democratic Party picnic in Lampasas on Labor Day, which I have carried with me through the FEMA lines and other lines at the convention center, JFK said, "Change is a part of life and those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future."

I'll try not to disturb your "pre-existing dominant culture" too much, Matt, but I really would like to stay, if you can make room for me in your Ivory Tower. We want to add to - not take away from - the existing culture.

Meanwhile, Thank You to Ms. Radnofsky for thinking about jobs and helping us to claim our new lives while connecting with our rich cultural heritage and claiming our new community.

And the Gumbo I had Friday night, and shared with about 30 of my fellow survirors was just what I needed. So was the part-time job I found last Thursday. To make good New Orleans gumbo you need many different ingredients, and the chicken doesn't dominate the sausage - they blend together for a satisfying and flavorful meal.

Maybe you should try it. I can find a guy here in the Convention Center who would love to make you a bowl.

Removed due to new information.

That Kinky sure does attract the nutjobs, don't he?

I concur with Barbara's observations, we are hearing the same from evacuees in our area. It would be the perfect way to honor the memories the flood destroyed and give a lively group of folks a place to display their talents. Most of those we have worked with getting into permanent housing do not intend to return and I think everyone should be privy to the amazing Gumbo parties we have all experienced this week.

You go Barbara! We are behind you in DFW!

"That Kinky sure does attract the nutjobs, don't he?"

In case that was directed at me, which I'm sure it was, put a Democrat with real courage and real personal ethics like Ronnie Earle on the ballot and he or she will have my vote.

dumb idea.

Troy,

I welcome you hear with open arms, I encourage you to stay and make a life here and influence our culture. There is no doubt in my mind that the sudden displacement of an entire city of people is going have cultural reverberations throughout Texas (which is great, Crawfish Etouffe, Tennessee Williams, and Jazz are just a few of my favorite things that have a home in NOLA). I also, generally, support the Radnfosky campaign and what they've done to aid the victims.

But, I don't beleive "Gumbo Zones" are the way to encourage cultural influence. "Gumbo Zones" effecitvely isolates an introduced culture (or "ghettoizes") from the preexisting culture.

The two great cultural influences on New Orleans were Black and French. New Orleans culture comes from an intermingling of these and other forces. I'm not worried about you coming into our ivory tower, I'm worried about putting you in a Gumbo tower where you can't influence ours. I'm worried about creating a museum exhibit that stands in the way of truly letting the Creole influence the Tex-Mex.

here

Mafia management over women, eh? The Mafia is able to control 50% of the entire planet? Yeah, that makes lot of sense...

Watch out--your wife/mother/daughter/aunt/grandmother/neighbor and every other woman might be coming to enforce some omerta on your ass.

Stick to the comedy, Matt.

My first take was just 'embarassing'. On further reflection I am not that happy with the idea but put it out there with other ideas.

I am disturbed by roses' use of GOP talking points to urge business tax reduction zones.

Link to my comments in my blog.
http://tinyurl.com/9wu6p

"Meanwhile, I am concerned about your use of "our country is already stretched to (or perhaps beyond) the breaking point when it comes to the economy, health care, defense, and social services at every level." That is a GOP talking point when every year they cut social services."

The problem is always what do you cut? I think both parties have had periods of "poor records" with regard to social services including education, health care and housing. Those are the three areas that are always cut the most by Republicans. While defense is usually being increased. As we found out in New Orleans, defense needs some coordination more than it needs more money. Certainly this administration must hold the record of being oblivious to the needs of most Americans. Republicans claim the "war on terrorism" is worth the cost. And the sacrifice. They always talk about sacrifice. And yet they rarely, if ever, really sacrifice much of anything. All Bush seems concerned with is the corporations. So much for the CEO model of government. My impression of "assistance programs" is that they usually assist the bureacracy far more than they do the people who need the assistance. The problem with public housing in Houston and New York and Los Angeles alone points out the problem. All three cities have histories of mismanagement and waste with regard to HUD programs. And waiting lists of people still waiting for housing. The minority party always says they have a better way when running for office. And yet through all the years, little has changed. Even when the minority party is the majority, little has changed. The poor are still poor. And for the most part, most of us accept it as the way it is.

Reality is Barbara Bush's comment is the way a lot of people feel. They don't realize they in great part are why so many are underprivileged. We tend to keep them underprivileged. Often through a prejudice that is more societal then personal. There are nuances of it in the divisions occurring over the redevelopment of New Orleans. People truly don't like poor people. Of any color. It reminds some of where they came from. Causes pangs of conscience for others. New Orleans in some ways is a mirror for all of us. In many ways actually.

I think taking a personal interest in the evacuees, particularly those who want to start a new life here in Texas, is more than commendable. I think it's the way most Americans should be addressing the needs of so many other Americans. Writing a check is wonderful. Extending an actual hand is much better. Gives comfort to the soul. And is the better way. It also costs the taxpayers a lot less in the end.

As for preserving the cultural aspects of New Orleans, it would have been nice if the organizers of the October 1st country music concert in Houston had thought about a jazz concert instead. Why not celebrate the rich jazz heritage of New Orleans instead of the rich country music heritage of Texas? And given free tickets to the evacuees. The one thing I noticed was missing in their promotion. What I found interesting is that the promoter is a New Orleanian. Who apparently forgot his own heritage.

They could have at least had a gumbo party before the concert. I'm not aware of any having been held in Houston. Maybe someone will have an "alternative" concert on October 1st. Complete with a gumbo party before the concert. Maybe the Harris County Democratic Party can find someone to pull one together. Raise funds, talk about the need for change, enjoy an evening of jazz, and celebrate the heritage of New Orleans. Along with the New Orleanians. Who seem to have been left out of the other one.