A tribute to New Orleans...

Mike682

In light of all the negative posts/arguing here regarding N.O let's turn this around a little.

Anybody have some good stories to tell about N.O??

I've never been there myself so instead here's a list of movies filmed (full or partial) in N.O:

http://www.imdb.com/List?locations=new%20orleans&&substrings=on

steveinaz

I love the place. We used to go there alot when I was a kid, but recently my wife and I went (2 summers ago) and had a blast. I LOVE Mike Anderson's restaurant. They have the best cajun seafood you'll ever wrap lips around. We also liked going to Pat O'Brien's regularly, great bar---and home of the "hurricane"...oh sorry.

The New Orleans experience is totally unique. I've traveled most of the globe being prior Army, and N.O. has a flavour all its own. The sights, smells and sounds are signature New Orleans.

They will rebuild, without a doubt, and probably be alot better for it.

ND13

I've had the pleasure of attending Mardis Gras a few times back in the late 80's. Didn't even have a hotel room, just slept in the truck. All I can say is that a city with NO's rich culture and history just can't be written off, it has to be rebuilt. I'll do my best to attend the very first Mardis Gras they have as soon as the city is back on it's feet.


Heres to you Big Easy!!! Home of Ruth's Chris, and, yes Steve, Pat Os is a great place to hang out at.

steveinaz

I have 8 hurricane glasses from Pat O'Briens that I brought back from Nawlins. Probably instant collector items now.

Spawndn72

I was there for Mardi Gras in 1990. I went with a college buddy who lived there.

Top Memories:
1) Seeing someone get shot
2) Mosquitos that could stand flat footed and F**K a chicken
3) Dirty side streets(and main streets for that matter)
4) LOTS of alcohol
5) Weridos (one dressed as Jesus and carrying a cross)
6) Some of the best food I have ever had

ohskigod

I've never been there, allways wanted to go though. kinda sucks. as illogical as it is, I kinda hope they rebuild and recover.

ND13

ohskigod wrote:

I've never been there, allways wanted to go though. kinda sucks. as illogical as it is, I kinda hope they rebuild and recover.

Oh, don't you worry about that, because they will rebuild.

Willow

It has to be the most French place in the US.

PolkThug

I had fantastic food there.
Great place to party.
Aquarium was very cool (wonder how it held out).
I don't like how Hurricanes taste, but I had some at Pat O'briens anyway.
Love the street musicians.
Hate the street hustlers.
Watch out for ladies with Adam's apples.
Cool Zydeco Bands.
Gang activity seemed worse than Compton.
****, **** and more ****.

George Grand

The real tribute should be directed to the people who are in the midst of this national disgrace, and are NOT behaving like hoodlums. The poor people of color who had almost nothing to begin with, will have even less at the end. They have behaved magnificently. I am not ashamed to say I am typing this through tears.

George Grand

Willow

George, you have a point. It's not as big of deal when the wealthy or better off , they have insurance and typically live in the better areas. When people who struggle on a day to day basis , just to get by get hit like this ouch! People will come through and help out I am sure of that, with all the crap in the world when something bad happens the good people come out and help.

steveinaz

George Grand wrote:

The real tribute should be directed to the people who are in the midst of this national disgrace, and are NOT behaving like hoodlums. The poor people of color who had almost nothing to begin with, will have even less at the end. They have behaved magnificently. I am not ashamed to say I am typing this through tears. George Grand

Agree 100%. I am speechless at this point to understand why nothing is happening to save these people; today, I am embarrassed to be an American. To hell with the snipers, get the damn resources in there, get the women and children out first, then the elderly, then the men. Drop some some goddamn water to these people; you can go for weeks without food, but most humans will die within 3 days without water. Prioritize, jesus this **** is killing me. I don't have an ounce of college, but I can figure this **** out.

Sad, sad. Incomprehensible. Shameful. I want to bury my **** head in the sand in shame.

shack

I spent a lot of time in Baton Rouge on the campus at LSU for several summers. On the weekends most of the people I was with would go to NO. I went once. I found out that the French Quarter looks totally different in the day (not in a good way) than at night. Once was enough for me. From that point on I spent my weekends in Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula and I have extremely fond memories of that area. Let's not forget these cities as they took a hit as bad or worse than NO.

ND13

George Grand wrote:

The real tribute should be directed to the people who are in the midst of this national disgrace, and are NOT behaving like hoodlums. The poor people of color who had almost nothing to begin with, will have even less at the end. They have behaved magnificently. I am not ashamed to say I am typing this through tears.

George Grand

I commend you, George. You're not the only one shedding tears for them, and I'm one of the one's with you there. I'm not ashamed or embarrassed to admit it, either.

My wife and I had a conversation this morning about opening up our home to a single mother or someone until they can get on their feet. We both are going to be thiniking on that idea all day and then discuss it further this evening. I don't think anyone would actually take us up on the offer, seeing that we're in Indiana and all, but we might make the offer on Craigslist anyway.

landry_p2000

George Grand wrote:

The real tribute should be directed to the people who are in the midst of this national disgrace, and are NOT behaving like hoodlums. The poor people of color who had almost nothing to begin with, will have even less at the end. They have behaved magnificently. I am not ashamed to say I am typing this through tears.

George Grand

1derful post George. I totally agree with you 100% for what its worth.

shack

steveinaz wrote:

Agree 100%. I am speechless at this point to understand why nothing is happening to save these people; today, I am embarrassed to be an American. To hell with the snipers, get the damn resources in there, get the women and children out first, then the elderly, then the men. Drop some some goddamn water to these people; you can go for weeks without food, but most humans will die within 3 days without water. Prioritize, jesus this **** is killing me. I don't have an ounce of college, but I can figure this **** out.

Sad, sad. Incomprehensible. Shameful. I want to bury my **** head in the sand in shame.

New Orleans is a unique place with unique issues and an extremely unique disaster. Its easy to say "just do it" but it isn't that simple. Even in the worst floods at some point the water begins receeding...NOT HERE. There is no easy way to get in and out of this city. Is it a water rescue, a land rescue, an air rescue. It is all of them. They ARE trying. There are reports that the airspace is getting dangerous because there are so many helecopters in the area with no air control. Everybody wants the federal government to take charge...but I seriously doubt there was a NATIONAL plan for this kind of disaster in NO. You can't just tell thousands of people and equipment to just go...There has to be some sort of order...some plan. If LA or NO had one to handle this disaster...they haven't given it to anyone.

I know it is frustrating and a small element of our society has made it worse. I found this quote very telling (and it is probably not factual but still telling on how the world sees this)

I am absolutely disgusted. After the tsunami our people, even the ones who lost everything, wanted to help the others who were suffering," said Sajeewa Chinthaka, 36, as he watched a cricket match in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

"Not a single tourist caught in the tsunami was mugged. Now with all this happening in the U.S. we can easily see where the civilized part of the world's population is."

I see this totally different from Steve. I think everyone wants to help...everyone is trying...but the scope it so huge...not just NO but the other states. While I too am frustrated, I am proud of all of the people sending money, supplies, offering help by the millions. The problem is not the lack of effort or desire to help....it is the nature of the problem.

George Grand

The girl who was pleading on the television because her infant was "Getting harder and harder to wake-up!" REALLY got to me. The desperation in her voice, the limp condition of the child in her arms. The poor people who are being videotaped and are saying NOTHING, but just looking into the lens. They don't have to say a word. It is written all over their faces.

3 and 1/2 days to get the slightest bit of help to these people. How could this happen?

The good people of New Orleans had better be Time magazine's Person of the Year.

Shack, take it from me, we have ops plans for conducting war in every corner of this planet. We didn't have a plan for this. It is shameful. I don't expect the poorest states to have plans or MONEY for this stuff. I expected our government would. They had PLENTY of warning, and not measured in days, but in years.

shack

George Grand wrote:

I don't expect the poorest states to have plans or MONEY for this stuff. I expected our government would. They had PLENTY of warning, and not measured in days, but in years.

Money no..plans yes. If the state of LA and the city of NO doesn't have a plan to save themselves, how can they expect the federal government to?

There will be years and years to lay blame and speculate as to what could have been done better. There is really no use for pointing fingers now.

I am sure there will be countless stories of stranded indviduals that worked for the good of all rather than wait for someone else to take care of them. I think there will tales of heros that were able to take charge and help without resorting to violence and selfish actions. I hope these people get as much attention in the future as do the thugs that preyed on the weak and desparate and took advantage of the situation.

George Grand

If Jersey got hit by a **** meteorite, I would expect the federal gov't. to have a plan for it.

steveinaz

I understand (after 15 years in the Army and a tour in Desert Storm) the incredible logistical nightmare....my rant is with the twiddling of thumbs because of safety issues. DO SOMETHING; don't get wrapped around the axle.

shack

George Grand wrote:

If Jersey got hit by a **** meteorite, I would expect the federal gov't. to have a plan for it.

If our ancestors thought like this, you wouldn't have to worry about a meteor hitting NJ because there probably wouldn't be a USA much less NJ.

George Grand

A little on that high horse Shack. Have a nice ride.

"A government by the people, and FOR THE PEOPLE."

Not for just SOME OF THE PEOPLE.

The "Pres." has already stated he plans on sitting on the porch of Trent Lott's NEW home when it gets built. He wants to keep aligning himself with a proven racist that's fine with me. Especially in light of the fact that he wants to admit it in public. He'd do better to align himself a little more with the common man.... something he seems to be able to do in words, but never in actions.

gshisme

Well I was worried that this would really turn into a race hate thing considering the looting and shootings. But from what I have been viewing on the news networks recently, it really looks like just the opposite is happening. I'm just hopin' this will bring the peoples of this country closer together.

I do have issues with "W" but it was refreshing to see him on the ground getting a first hand look at the conditions. And I just hope the politics stays out of this. Let's take care of business first. There will be plenty of time in the future for any blame games.

Mike682

I agree Greg, people before politics. Officials have to put that stuff aside and get to what matters most: helping/aiding those people in desparate need.

nadams

Like this, George?

George Grand

I am as "official" as it gets, and I got back from The Burlington County Chapter of the American Red Cross about a half hour ago. They said checks get down there faster than CC's. The Jersey Grands are "in" for their fellow Americans in this venture in a big way, AND in addition to the 24/7 we already perform for one of our fellow Americans.

Somebody wants to take a shot at my way of thinking is going to get return fire. Every time.

George Grand

Whenever the cameras are rolling sport, whenever the cameras are rolling.

shack

No high horse George...I just find it interesting that a nation formed centuries ago to escape too much government expects more and more from it's government.

Thanks for the civics lesson.

I feel for those people as much as you. For the majority, once they escape the present situation their troubles are just beginning. Then it will be up to the PEOPLE to help their fellow man as they do what they can to help themselves. Let's hope as a nation we are up to the task.

George Grand

Yeah so I'm a bleeding heart. I DO worry about this nation being up to the task, because I know from up close and personal that TALK IS CHEAP AND PLENTIFUL in these parts. You ought to know that for about the last twenty years, my life HAS been dedicated to helping one poor American that nobody else was going to ever do dick for.

Sorry, but I'm sick and tired of hearing how people throw the monetary equivalent of two dvd rentals into a basket on Sunday morning, and then pat themselves on the back about it. How very lifestyle altering.

Leave me alone. I can't participate in this anymore without becoming VERY political. Oh, I just passed 29 years military service with a few more to go. So I guess politically I'm in the minority there too.

shack

George Grand wrote:

Leave me alone.

I will. I sincerly wish the best to you and your family. I do not know you personally but I KNOW what you are going through with your daughter. I also know of the life of a career military man. You are to be commended for both.