Shame on you America
 

A message posted in my MSN groups room.........


I just watched a documentary on New Orleans one year on from 'Katrina'.

It amazes me Mr Bush can afford to send troops to far flung countries to risk their lives but in New Orleans has done ****** all , whole communities have not even been cleaned up, damaged homes and debris litter the whole area, there is no reason they cant at least clean up the mess even if they cant repair the damaged properties.

I cant help but believe this is because New Orleans has a predominatily black population , i cannot fathom any other reason.

Television news reports from the area are rare , but inevitably one year on some news casts were aired, showing us his failed promises.

No bluddy wonder Almonds posts lack the humour and zest they once had , living under such conditions would be so difficult especially knowing the levys are only patched and at any given time may again fail.

We regularly are shown the wonderful times to be had in Florida and California where the US govt seem to fund anything yet leave New Orleans like a rubbish dump.

An absolute disgrace !!

PS:
If anyone has an email addy to contact the relevant authorities i'd like it just to let them know how poorly i believe they have acted.

I,d like that addy too.........Tal

ps Almond is one of my members and lives in New Orleans

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at a guess i would say pretty damp ;)

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I'm sure that George Bush would have done more for the devastated area affected by hurricane Katrina if its population had been white americans....but appears that most of the area affected was populated by black people....I'm also covinced that that is the reason that the president was so tardy in getting aid to the area. Black= dispensable.

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The French Quarter is where most of the tourists go and that is up and running so the tourists are back and spending their dollars.

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Good grief, where to begin?!! Lack of funding isn't the problem here. Billions of taxpayer dollars have flowed into the area as have millions more in private donations. Volunteers go down to rebuild homes. The U.S. Corps of Engineers has spent the last year rebuilding the levees around N.O. Let us not forget that Katrina was a storm of Biblical proportions and affected an area about the size of the U.K. Imagine how well you would all cope if Britain went under water. Think you'd do a better job?

The Mississippi Gulf Coast was wiped out by Katrina, yet they are rebuilding steadily but surely. They appear to have a better state government than Louisiana. Ditto Florida during its back-to-back hurricanes in recent years.

New Orleans has a long history of political corruption. It is hardly America's fault if those elected to lead cannot get their act together. The historic districts of New Orleans survived because they are built on slightly higher ground.....such as it exists in that city. Naturally, the city government got the French Quarter up and running as quickly as possible because that is the financial lifeline of New Orleans. In other areas, battles rage on what should be done. Apparently, it's hard to get building permits. Environmentalists are against rebuilding on reclaimed swampland. I don't doubt there are lawsuits.

There are political reasons why race was injected into this tragic event. And the major media was only too happy to fan the flames. It is a terrible thing to see people lose their lives, homes and all they have worked for. But when one chooses to live in a vulnerable area, one must always be prepared for what nature brings.

President Bush has not forgotten New Orleans or the Gulf. I know you all love to criticize him because it's been pounded into your heads what a dreadful man he is. There are no quick fixes for that region. Full restoration is going to be a long time coming. At the end of the day, I believe private initiative and citizens at large will get the job done.

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my friend in calafornia has had his fish farm destroyed on 2 occasions by hurricanes and had NO hand outs from the govenment , i assume that because he is white this is also a racist thing

oh hang on no it wasnt a racist thing why he didnt get a government hand out it was because he had the brains with living in an area prone to hurricanes to take out INSURANCE no matter how much it was due to the area he lived in

its bad enough when the race card is played but its even worse when its teh whites play it for them because as usual in these cases the blacks probably dont even think of teh racism issue they just want to rebuild their lives but theres always the do gooders in this world who will play teh race card for them on their behalf even though they arnt asked too

the UK has spent millions on sending soldiers to iraq etc and we have homless on our streets

shame on teh UK too then eh

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When you say 'Bush' .. why would he give them money? Wouldn't that be the state... I thought each state delt with their own tax system..

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:engsmil: Rubbish Margaret I hope you dont mind,
and the man (or woman) heaven forbid that I appear "sexist".
They that buildeth on sand shall be destroyed by sand, they that build on
rock shall inherit the earth. Most residents of the bayous have gone, what
you see is what the media want you to see, anti american propeganda,
if this had been in Africa you wouldn't have looked twice, (be honest)
:cool:

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wouldnt africa be glad of the water ?

or am i thinking of the wrong place :confused:

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FEMA, the federal agency created to assist in post-disaster areas, ladles out the dough to assist with clean-up and rebuilding. This never used to be the case. Individual states and localities took responsibility for themselves. There was no federal aid in 1906 when San Francisco was wiped out by an earthquake and subsequent fire. Nor was there any for Galveston, Texas at the turn of the last century when it was hit by a tidal wave. Massive devastation and loss of life. There are other examples, but I shall not list more here. Both of these cities immediately formulated a plan and went to work to rebuild and restore. In the case of Galveston, it took them 60 years to complete the job.

Americans are amazing when it comes to helping others in distress. In a disaster situation, we will raise all kinds of money and volunteers will pour into the affected area with expertise, muscle power and just plain old- fashioned kindness, without being asked. Things seem to work out better that way and always end up costing a lot less money.

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I don't mind Ianto.W. I defend your right to have an opinion which is different to mine. I have no other way of knowing what is going on other than what the media tells us. It is the same with all these disaster stories. I do however, feel that the help would have been speedier if the population had been white americans.I think it is wrong to put the blame on the American people...but maybe the corrupt politicians should be taking the blame. And yes I would look twice if it was Africa.
Take the Sudan situation......Tony Blair says that it is at the top of his agenda....but the problem in Darfur has been in existence for years and no-one wants to do anything about it......pretty soon we are going to be seeing some horrendous outcomes. So the question should be 'Are we any better?'

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Go to the States with a hispanic partner, and you find out how bad they really are!

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Have to agree with Bullseyebarb on this one , I have friends who live on the Gulf coast, Pass Christian, Mississippi and the whole town was wiped out by Katrina , but the folks are pulling together and rebuilding, all along the gulf coast communities of honest decent folk have come to-gether and are rebuilding their lives without waiting for or demanding Govt. handouts,
The problem with New Orleans is , ....large segments of the local population who are not prepared to take any responsibility for themselves but expect the Feds to come riding in over the hill like the cavalry.

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Thanks Bullseyebarb, my blood was starting to boil to give the other side of the story. Thanks for laying so many good facts out. Same with Chav, busman, Steeljack and yeah, gotta admit it, even the chin chin grumpy 1!

People don't understand the 100s of millions of dollars that have been wasted, stolen, and /or lost to corrupt, immoral people down in New Orleans. I see the biggest initial problem being in the hands of the Governor and the Mayor. Then alot lies with many who have lived on Government handouts and don't like the spigut being shut IMHO.

As for racism/discrimination, I've travelled through much of the country (except west coast) and find alot depends on the area of the country who faces it. I've seen it in the deep south against blacks, in Florida against hispanics, the southern "rebels" against the northern "yankees" and vice versa, catholics against protestants and vice versa.

The point is when you have a great "melting pot," I guess it's never hot enough to fully melt things! Heck, growing up in Rhode Island (very catholic and irish/italian) it was tough to be the rare English, Protestant family.

Brian

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:cool: Must admit it does stink a bit,
but reporting is so darned biased god knows what we are to believe, I
pesonally would not wish to go back, it's not the last time this will happen.
Sorry Margaret if I came on a bit strong, but I can't get my head round
why Dubya Bush is pussy footing around. :cool:

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New Orleans has a long history of political corruption. It is hardly America's fault if those elected to lead cannot get their act together. The historic districts of New Orleans survived because they are built on slightly higher ground.....such as it exists in that city. Naturally, the city government got the French Quarter up and running as quickly as possible because that is the financial lifeline of New Orleans. In other areas, battles rage on what should be done. Apparently, it's hard to get building permits. Environmentalists are against rebuilding on reclaimed swampland. I don't doubt there are lawsuits.--- agree bullseyebarb but in comparison to the other districts the french quarter was not badly affected so it didn't take that much to get it up and running surely? the corruption in local politics is legendary, i agree but its so in central government also, at the end of the day its cos the bulk of the population is black, who by the way are the most friendly people i have ever met and deserve better.:(

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Go to England with a Pakistani or Arab partner and see how your treated!!!!!

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i think one other thing thats not taken into account and i'm sorry if someone's already mentioned it - that so many former residents have just not chosen to return back

so if u imagine ur street - devestated. u go back home and clean up - so does aobut 5 other ppl. but then the remainin 50 decide not to show up - its a prety hard job cleanin all that on ur own.

one other thing is that the slow build has happend due to america's fingers being burnt in the past b4. not sure what hurricane it was in the 90's but it caused alot of devestation. america united all gung ho and loads of builders from around the statescame to help

only thing was some of these builders barely knew what a hammer was yet were chargin extortion. this thing happend in florida i do remmeber that.

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another thing that has not been taken into account is " who bloody cares " come on be honest until this post was made or unless you see a reminder on TV has anyone given a thought to them

i certainly havnt simply because its not my problem :)

ime sure everyone involved is doing their best ;)

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If and when it is rebuilt it better be done properly and not on the cheap. The way the weather is at the moment a monster hurricane could hit next year and do the same damage. As for the money that Geo W B is spending abroad its down to oil and his so called war on terror and that has priority.

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well you cant fight the weather ( or god as soem believe ) but i suppose you stand a better chance fighting terror :)

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The way its going they aint doing to good at that. King Alfred comes to mind for some unknown reason. :confused:

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Alfred? In what context? I don't understand.

Are you thinking of Canute?

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Maybe i was burning toast at the time. :o

Maybe I was thinking GW is going to get burnt. :confused:

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Were you thinking of Canute perhaps? :)

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There have been millions of dollars poured into the New Orleans area over the past twenty years earmarked for levy improvements. Much of that money was spent on building marinas and casinos. Ask the mayor (a black man, incidentally) about that.

People were told to get out. Many of them didn't. For those who did not have their own transport, there were school buses etc which could have been provided by the city but they were not provided. Ask the mayor about that.

It doesn't damn-well matter how well you build the houses if they are built below sea level and then the levies do not hold. There is plenty of land above sea level in America on which to build. What is the point of making the same mistake twice? There is absolutely no sense in rebuilding any part of that city that is below sea level.

The devastation in this very large area, makes the twin tower destruction look like a lego building has been destroyed by comparison. It is going to take a long long time to clean it up.

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Not sure not had enough coffee to kickstart the brain cell yet. :o

Canute tried to turn the tied back and failed so maybe I am thinking that this war on terror could bwe a loosing battle.

Still prefer Alfred and the burnt cakes though the cakes being Bushes fingers.

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You're probably right, Bazf, it's just that yanks are a bit more in your face about it. Mind you, it didn't stop us going back quite a few times, including a holiday in New Orleans - a wonderful city. We stayed in the Lower Garden district (it was what is euphemistically described as an "inner city area", so it was cheap). Got to agree with Mr C., the folks are the nicest, friendliest people you could hope to meet, and I feel really sorry for 'em.

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Your right Mani, I believe it was 1993, hurricane Andrew, completely destryed the Homestead area south of Miami, Florida. I went down to survey the situation for my part of the Government (Agriculture Dept.).

Appreciate your thoughts John W.! As an American, I see the incredible waste of dollars being poured into New Orleans and cringe. Not that I don't want to help the people but, because of political pressures, Billions will end up being spent (with again millions lost to abuse) rebuilding. With the absolute best levy system possible, the Army Corps of Engineers have said they CANNOT hold against anything greater than a Cat 3. Hurricane. I believe Katrina was a cat 4 or 5. How dumb eh?

As far as Iraq taking dollars away from New Orleans: Folks, this is America, if we need more money, we print more money, all for the people of course. A Big CHIN CHIN CHIN!

Brian

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In that case, what is the point of rebuilding a city that is built on the San Andreas Fault? Or in Florida's hurricane alley? Even dear old London is at risk for tidal flooding, but that hardly argues for a cut-and-run strategy! While I do not agree with the logic of abandoning New Orleans, San Francisco, London, or large portions of Florida to natural disasters, there are plenty of places where there is an ongoing, fairly high risk of natural disaster.

As to the allegations that money had been diverted to "marinas and casisnos," I've heard that claim over and over from folks who are determined to defend George W. Repeated web searches have come up with exactly zero credible evidence to support that claim. Ceretainly, the New Orleans Levee Board has oversight of all aspects of the levees (not merely flood control, but the funding is not diverted flood control money and is accounted for seperately.

While there is plenty of blame for all concerned, especially FEMA's lame response to the disaster, factual evidence shows that during the years immediately prior to Katrina, federal funding of levee maintenance had been seriously cut. Levee systems require constant inspection and maintenance (just ask the Dutch), as they are continually under attack by the forces of nature.

Here is a link to a very interesting article that deals a bit more in the realm of factual evidence:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levee_f...rleans%2C_2005

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Also wanted to say that I really take issue with the threads title. IMHO, I think something like: "Is This True?" or "Hard to Believe." or even maybe "shame on New Orleans, or Louisiana or the American Government,"

Ya see, I've had absolutely nothing to do with the situation. So why is it "Shame on America (read Americans)." I had the same feelings when the Sex Pistols came out with that dreadful song against the Queen. It's almost the same as saying Shame on England for never catching Jack the Ripper.

Just a thought from across the pond. Hate/love me for what I do or say not what I don't/can't do or say!

Brian

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While Katrina was a Category 5 storm at one point in time, it had diminished to Category 3 when it hit New Orleans. I have lots of kin in New Orleans (they had evacuated, their homes sustained relatively minor damage, and they have returned to the city), so I was following the weather reports pretty closely.

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To Billcats point about the Dutch maybe their expertise in dealing with land below sea level can be sought after all they have centuries of experience in this. I am not saying they should go and do the job because of the difference in the problems but I am sure that the engineers can adapt it to their local situation to take a Cat 5 huricane. In these times of global change any experience in improving the defences is better than letting it happen again. It would be short term pain in the cost department but a long term gain in the same if it stops another disaster like Katrina. There are countries that have found solutions to natural disasters and they if asked could help. People should feel as safe as possible in their own homes were ever they live.

As for London there was a few weeks ago a program that showed what would happen if the barrier and everything else failed and is was somewhat scary. Better to act now than pay the price later.

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Let's not compare New Orleans to Holland. Almost the whole of the Netherlands is below sea level, they don't have an option but to have many dwellings on such land. New Orleans is one city and as most of it which was below sea level is now destroyed, what is the sense in rebuilding it on the same spot? We're talking about a few square miles here. There are very few houses, if any, in Florida built below sea level and modern houses here are built to withstand winds of Hurricane forces. Individuals can help that situation by adding storm shutters to their houses to safeguard the roof being blown off. Nothing is earthquake proof, but buildings in San Fransisco are certainly built to codes which make them earthquake resistant. What are you going to do with houses built below sea level when the levees break? Put a volvo outboard on the back of 'em and head up the Mississippi?

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Well maybe that's because you're a cut and paste kind of guy? Let's take the pressure off the poor old Americans,
"These antipodians no original thoughts in the whole of their bodies! they come on here with their anti-monarchistic ways just to stir trouble between us and the other members of the colonies!".:)

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http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05329/612494.stm

In reply to Billcats remark about diverted funds. Here is a report from Anne Carns of the Wall Street Journal, a reasonably respectable publication. I would direct your attention, particularly, to paragraph four. But read the whole article, it is quite enlightening.

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http://www.btinternet.com/%7Eukjaguar/colourteen.jpg

I'm sure they were a good group in their day but why did you do a link to them?

Ooop's sorry went for the wrong link!:D

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I think it should be explained a bit more clearly about who was responsible for the the chaos along the Gulf coast following Katrina , probably LancYorkYankee can explain it better than me but here goes.....Under the Federal system each State has primary responsibility for its own emergancy response, Katrina primarily hit three States (Louisianna,Mississippi and Alabama) and each State recieved advance warning that a big storm was on the way and to get ready , It was not FEMAs (the Feds/ George Bush's) job to evacuate anyone .
Imagine if a huge storm came down the North Sea and devastated eastern England, Holland, Denmark, Belgium and France .....each country/state would be responsible for its own citizens in the first instance , only later would the E U get involved and start supplying aid from the other EU states.
Each State in the US has its own Govt. and is responsible for its own tax revenue , some States have income tax others do not, some states have sales (VAT) tax others don't , (this is in addition to Federal taxes) how each State spends the money is decided locally , if a State spends its money on public saftey and emergancy response programs the citizens benefit , but if a State govt ,Louisianna for example is so inept and corrupt bad things happen , Louisiana and notably New Orleans have long been known to be corrupt , the police being paid a 1/3 of what an average cop earns in California ( you get what you pay for) , no wonder that 1/2 of them ran-away from their jobs
Did race play apart or was it the media which blew things out of proportion , I don't know , but I do know this, the folks in Mississippi and Alabama wern't out looting TV and liquor stores and robbing foriegn tourists who were seeking shelter in the superdome , I suggest if anyone wants to know how the fine citizens of New Orleans behave I suggest they check with the folks of Houston Tx. who have seen a 50% increase in all types of crime since the "refugees" hit town.

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Because I'm the ****** on the drums with the fast receeding hairline. You should see it now!!

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If things are that fine in Florida and San Francisco, then how did the billions of dollars of damage done in those natural disasters come to pass?

Truth is, those buildings in Florida and San Francisco are built to withstand hurricanes and earthquakes of a given magnitude, just as the levees in New Orleans were built to a given level of protection.

If there is an objection to spending money to rebuild after one type of recurring natural disaster, then why not be consistent and avoid the expense of rebuilding after other types that also are likely to recur? If it is a waste of time and resource in one case, then it may well be in all these cases. I don't agree with that idea, because I think that it is worthwhile rebuilding Florida, San Francisco and, yes, New Orleans.

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Interesting article. A quick read confirms what I had said earlier. No evidence in the article that funds earmarked for levee maintenance were diverted. Did the levee board branch out? Certainly. As the construction of marinas, etc., would directly affect the levee it may well have been appropriate. Not saying that they had their priorities straight, but I won't admit such a claim about most governmental bodies.

Thanks for the confirmation!

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SteelJack, Post #43, very well explained!

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Just remind me, what was the year of the San Fransisco earthquake? Wasn't it just a hundred years ago? They have advanced a little in the building codes since then.

Many of the houses destroyed in Florida are what are called Mobile homes, in England they would probably be called pre-fabricated homes. These homes are, in the main, owned by what we call snowbirds who only come down here for the winter months from their main homes in the north. When conventional houses are destroyed, they are rebuilt to the new codes which give them a far better chance of withstanding a hurricane.

As I said. What is the point of re-building houses below sea level? All they have to do is move a few miles north and there's plenty of land above sea level to build on. It doesn't matter what standard you build the new houses to, there is no protection against sea water coming in if they are below the level of the sea. The whole area is reclaimed swampland. Not the best foundation for levees or houses.

Most of America is subject to some kind of disaster. Hurricanes in the south, tornados in Oklahoma, Kansas etc. Earthquakes in California. Terrible winters in the far north, especially near the great lakes. It's a matter of picking the fights you think you stand a chance in. To my mind, New Orleans is a fight from which to flee. Just my opinion of course.

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Yep, the airport will hold back the floodwaters, people can take shelter in the casinos, the parks will make nice swimming pools, and at least all the boats will all be smashed up in the same place.

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Let's get the facts:

The big San Fran earthquake was 1906. Most of the damage from the quake was not the result of buildings fall, it was from the fire that consumed the city due to ruptured gas mains. Also, many of San Francisco's buildings are older and are not built to a high standard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1906_Sa...sco_earthquake

Let's not forget the 1989 San Fran earthquake, which was a strong (but not the BIG ONE, by any means) 7.1 on the Richter scale. That's at the small side of the major earthquake category. The 1906 quake is estimated to have been a magnitude 8.0, many times as powerful as 1989's quake. In 1989, the quake caused almost $3 billion in damage in San Fran proper, about twice that in total. A lot of the damage to buildings resulted from the liquefacton of soil, something that improved building techniques can't help. Perhaps this is another location we sould just walk away from?

Similarly, the Northridge quake of 1994 was only 6.7 on the scale. This falls into the category of a strong earthquake, but it was only a fraction of the size of the 1989 quake. However, it did $44 billion in damage, in spite of the fact that the vast majority of building was done in this area well after the San Fran quake of 1906 and with full awareness that the Los Angeles area was vulnerable. While I am sure that improved building techniques helped to lessen the damage, it's not a panacea.

Similarly, while mobile homes are particularly vulnerable to wind damage in hurricanes, many other buildings are also vulnerable. All one has to to to debunk the myth that most of hurricane damage is to mobile homes is simply to look at the damage done by Kristina in Biloxi and Pass Christian. Historically, an awful lot of the damge done by hurricanes (and the vast majority of lives lost) is not due to wind, but to the flooding associated with the huge storm surges. An argument not to rebuild in large portions of coastland Florida?

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Exactly, most damage is caused by flooding. Florida is not below sea level. Therefore, if it does flood the water can receed. New Orleans needs pumps to get rid of the water which just sits in the 'bowl' otherwise. Many of the pumps failed, probably due to lack of maintenance as the cash had been spent on a park or some damn thing. We are obviously not going to agree on this Billcat, so we may as well agree to disagree.

Personally, I would not live in New Orleans rent free. But, if people want build their houses there, who am I to try to stop them. However, I would think that insurance companies will charge an arm and a leg to cover houses built in the flood area after their mamoth losses last year. That is providing people can get insurance cover at all. This may well prove to be decisive in the building of new houses there. We shall see.

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Yes, but the natural disaster is, just as it is in New Orleans, quite likely to recur. Indeed, there are some areas of Florida which have seen storm damage far more often than New Orleans has see flooding. Why should we subsidize rebuilding in those at-risk areas of California and Florida? Why not, as you suggest, just tell folks to relocate to somewhere where they will be less likely to lose their homes?

Frankly, we can't afford to just walk away from places. Nor can the U.K., which is why they spent such big bucks to protect London from flooding.

Truth is that a lot of the world's most economically productive land is in areas where natural disasters are likely. Simply put, it is a big economic problem if any of these productive areas are abandoned, as you suggest be done with New Orleans. Coastal land carries an inherent risk of repeated flooding, or tsunami damge in many locales, but that is where the world's ports and fisheries are located. The floodplains of rivers are often incredibly productive agricultural land (due in part to both the availability of water and the deposition of silt by floodwaters), but there is a real ongoing risk of flooding. Similarly, volcanic soil is highly productive farmland but the risk is pretty obvious. The geology of the California coast combines to provide some excellent agricultural land, oil reserves, ports and a scenic beauty that ensures a large tourism industry, but it is also subject to an annual brushfire risk during the dry season, mudslides, and major earthquakes. New Orleans is located in one of these areas and is both a major port, with a major fishery adjacent, services a substantial porton U.S. oil production, and with one heck of a tourism industry.

The fact that New Orleans carries a different risk is not, in and of itself, a reasonable justification to abandon. By your logic, the one-third of the Netherlands that is polder land (reclaimed, but below sea level by as much as 30 feet), should also be subject to abandonment - yet this is some of the most productive agricultural land in the world.

Do we need to improve New Orleans flood defenses, if there is to be a future for the city? Yes, of course. Does it make sense to abandon one of the most charming, historical, culturally rich and economically important cities in the USA? I believe that the economics of rebulding the city and improving flood defenses will provide an emphatic "No!"

But then, I have a thing against just giving up and packing it in!

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Actually, and this is my last word on the subject, I'm really bored with it now. If you look at one of my previous posts you will see that I said we cannot compare Holland and N.O., because the Dutch have no option but to build on land which is below sea level, so please don't put words in my mouth. N.O. doesn't carry a different risk it carries additional risk. I visited the city prior to Katrina and far from being charming and cultural, I found it to be the most seedy, dirty, disgusting place I have ever visited in the U.S. It has long been acknowledged as the most crime ridden and politically corrupt area in the whole of the country, with the possible exceptions of those corrupt (all party) elected people in Washington D.C. and of course, sin city itself, Las Vegas. We are just going over the same old ground now, but, as you have a thing against just giving up and packing in, I am sure you intend to have the last word. Please understand, however, that I will not be replying to any more rhetoric on this particular thread.

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...which just goes to show that there's no accounting for taste. Because Mrs H and I totally fell in love with the place. Far from being seedy, dirty and disgusting, we thought it was vibrant, lively and friendly. And as I've said earlier in this thread, we stayed in one of the so-called "rough" areas...the people couldn't have been nicer. If the city ever recovers, we'll definitely go back.

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Hey John, I appreciate your insight throughout this thread. I travelled to New Orleans 4 different times in the 1990s and definitely agree with the aforementioned quote.

The food was great but used to try to get in before sunset. The few times I stayed out (on Bourbon Street/French Quarter) I saw, actually was propositioned by, prostitutes as young as 13 or 14. I saw drunken brawls and heard vile language. Public nudity was almost encouraged and folks puking in the streets was quite common.

Lake Ponchatrain can have it back!

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I take it you've not been out in a British city at night for quite some time then?

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Looks like we have exported our worst weekend behavior to other countries shame on us.

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Well, I can only speak as I find. We spent a fortnight in New Orleans four years ago and loved it. We went out every night to the French Quarter and other parts of the city and usually walked back to our accommodation in an inner city area. We found a great atmosphere in the bars, clubs and restaurants with fantastic music and really nice (if somewhat boisterous) people. I was not propositioned by any prostitutes (even when Mrs H was elsewhere), we saw no violence, throwing up, very little bad language and no public nudity (worse luck! :) ).

What a refreshing contrast to Manchester city centre!

Re: Shame on you America
 

Wynonie, I'll readily admit that New Orleans has a seedy side and some dangerous neighborhoods. So do most cities, especially port cities. And I have little interest in New Orleans at Mardi Gras time as I avoid large crowds in general and large boisterous crowds in particular. But I'm very happy to see you sticking up for a great city.

I do love New Orleans, though! Love the beauty of the Garden District, the charm and history of the French Quarter. Love the music, although it is a bit sad to see a good deal less jazz than there used to be. Ohmigod, do I love the restaurants! There are so many great ones and the competition makes it difficult for bad eateries to survive. Love the galleries, the street performers, the cathedral, the streetcars, the gardens, the parks, and the crazy "gumbo" of many cultures and ethnicities. Love going upriver to the plantations, and late-morning coffee and beignets at the Cafe du Monde. Love being in a great Amercian city with a distinctly foreign flavor!

Wynonie, I do believe that you've got me thinking about a return visit.
Laisse les bon temps roulez!
:Banane57:

Re: Shame on you America
 

Each time the Government scheduled us to go down there for training, appeals, taking disciplinary actions, was always in or around Mardi Gras or the Super Bowl (funny (actually very sad) how the Government would plan many trips like this more for the entertainment then the work, but that's another story!) That would most definitely explain the high degree of extra boisterous activity I observed.

Dag Billcat, you got my mouth watering! The crawfish etoufe', jambalaya, and yes, the gumbo's and soups. Too many restaurants, too small a stomach!:) We could plan an Accy trip down there, just make sure I get in before 9 p.m.:p

Wynonie, out and about in London during the World Cup and was festive but not at all excessive. Maybe if England had won eh?

Brian


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Re: Shame on you America
 

Jambalaya...crawfish...gumbos...bring it on! Right, lads, Accyweb excursion to the Big Easy it is! I'm sure Cashman can be persuaded to make a return visit, too. :cool:

Re: Shame on you America
 

Perhaps bread pudding with whiskey sauce for afters? Mmmmmm.

Let me know when! I can probably impose on a friend for a walking tour for all.