Citizens are being bussed into New Orleans to vote

[BOSSHOG]

Those living in other areas of the country are coming to the city to vote for Mayor and other offices. I wonder if they are going to spend a little time helping clean up the city or will they just leave that to all the wonderful volunteers who have come from all over the country to clean up "their" city. Volunteers who have brought their own tools and their own food and their own bedding; who have made their own sacrifices to aid and abet the Big Easy. Maybe some of those on the busses could stop by a worksite and at least thank those doing the heavy lifting.

[thereismore]

1. I think you are too critical of people who have lost everything and

have to live outside of NOLA. Be glad they come back to vote. The volunteers you are talking about probably do have a home base somewhere that has not been destroyed.

[BOSSHOG]

2. If they can come back to vote

and a week ago they came back to March, why can't they pick up a shovel and clean up their city. My wife and I have rolled up our sleeves and pitched in along the coast. Obviously people from Minnesota and Michigan and Pennsylvania and Oregon care more about New Orleans than many of that city's own citizens. And my oh my where was the NAACP during the last mayoral election when less than 50% of those registered bothered to vote (when they were living in the city?) And now its godalmighty important that everybody have the "right" to vote. The city and the state have bent over backwards to make that happen. We are pushing nine months. When will the "residents" return? When someone else has rebuilt their city? When there is no work left to do to get the city on course again?

[tammywammy]

8. You know this is exacty what my co-worker from NO said

"And my oh my where was the NAACP during the last mayoral election when less than 50% of those registered bothered to vote (when they were living in the city?) And now its godalmighty important that everybody have the "right" to vote."

He moved to the DFW area almost 2 years ago, but other than his brother, his entire family was still living in NO. He's been down there quite a few times to help clean up.

[crikkett]

3. but you're not bitter, BOSSHOG, are you?

:hug:
It'll be okay. These survivors are being bussed in by a wonderful group of people because their govt (our govt) have left them out. They're being helped by another group of people who are helping to rebuild their city.

Pls don't kick people who are down.

[BOSSHOG]

4. You are right

I'm not bitter. I have found that helping oneself is much more satisfying and in the long run leads to more of a successful conclusion than relying on the help of others. I wonder what the evacuees have been doing for the past eight months. I know what the volunteers have been doing.

[crikkett]

5. You'd be interested in this radio show.

Yesterday's Democracy Now was broadcast from New Orleans and addressed your primary question: why aren't people coming back to rebuild their city. One report is how rents have jumped 4x in the last few months, and how there was no electricity for months in neighborhoods right next to the business district, which had electricity right away. There's another interview on how schools are not reopening and children are left to wander the streets on schooldays. My heart goes out to you and to these people. I'm only one earthquake away from where you are and I count my lucky stars.

Listen to it online at
http://www.kpfa.org/archives/index.php?arch=13529

[BOSSHOG]

6. I Love New Orleans

and its residents with all my heart. I wish they would come back as soon as possible. The more helping hands the better. The more to come back the liklihood that rents will stabilize. Real Estate is going dirt cheap in Lakeview compared to before the Hurricane. One cannot aid and abet their city by hanging out in a Hotel in Atlanta. The time to come home is now. I don't understand the alternative unless those folks would rather live elsewhere. A decision has to be made soon.

[funkybutt]

7. I wonder who they are voting for n/t

[BOSSHOG]

9. Hi Funkybutt

I hope my tone is not offensive. I want them folks "home" and make it home. My wife and I have done some work in New Orleans East and Bay St Louis. Had a nice visit to the quarter this past weekend and will be down again for the French Quarter Fest (probably Friday the 21st.)

[Bridget Burke]

10. Perhaps they don't have transportation...

Hint: They are coming in buses.

Perhaps they don't have their own tools & their own camping equipment.

Perhaps they have managed to find work & don't get much time off.

Perhaps they are responsible for children and/or old folks. (Perhaps they ARE old folks.)

Why don't you ask some of the evacuees who live in your area?

It's great that you've done volunteer work. But citizens of NOLA have the right to a vote, even if you disapprove.