Please keep Texas and Louisiana in your thoughts...

Please keep everyone in Texas and Louisiana in your thoughts and prayers. Hurricane Rita can do as much damage as Katrina did, and many displaced people are still coping with Katrina's aftermath. Thanks for the support everyone!

Pictures of Biloxi / Mobile

These pictures were sent to me - they were taken in Biloxi. I am not aware of the photographer's name. I wanted to give the photographer credit, but in a strand of emails, nobody is aware who the original photographer is.

Some Favorite New Orleans things...

As I was contemplating the topic for today's blog post, I realized that I was becoming depressed over the devastation of my hometown, not to mention I am a bit worried about what Hurricane Rita will do. I'm going to use one of the characteristic emotions of our culture (aka "denial") and write something more light-hearted for today's piece.

You know you're in New Orleans when:

• You get on a bus marked "Cemeteries" without asking questions.
• Your car regularly drops an axle when driving through the city streets.
• People don't "buy groceries", they "make groceries."
• You will pretty much cook anything that moves.
• You don't question a statue of Mary lit up in everyone's front yard. It's just a part of the city.

Some of my favorite movies made in New Orleans:

• The Big Easy. New Orleanians loved this movie, because they recognized all the familiar places (Tipitina's!) and because it borders on the truth. (Note: The scene where Ellen Barkin is jogging along the bayou after losing in court - they show my high school in that shot! The white building behind her is my high school; we walked along that bayou all the time.) We're a great place full of cajuns, spicy food, and good people - but we have our share of corruption and embarrassment as well. (After all, where else could someone as outrageous as David Duke run for office?)
• Blaze. Story of Huey P. Long and corruption. Paul Newman, Louisiana scenery, and corruption exposed. Who could ask for more?
• Hard Target. Jean Claude Van Damme in this action-packed movie. Some of the bridges where he does the motorcycle stunts are near my house!
• Undercover Blues. Complete spoof of espionage but it's with Dennis Quaid and Kathleen Turner. How could you go wrong? It's silly and full of fun, but also filled with New Orleans scenery.
• The Pelican Brief.
• The Client.
• Double Jeopardy.
• Runaway Jury.

Katrina Aftermath - What's Your Opinion?

Happy Tuesday to everyone.

The more I hear on the news, and the more web sites that are updating the aftermath of Katrina, the more I become convinced that we are becoming a divided nation again when we should be standing together.

Granted, it would have been great if New Orleans levees were prepared for Katrina. I'm still not sure what happened to the federal money that was supposed to be distributed for that purpose. Some sources say that the budget was cut. Others say that nothing was cut, but corrupt Louisiana politicians pocketed a good sum of the money. (Sadly, even though I'm from there - I am not surprised at either explanation...we were the state of Huey P. Long, Edwin Edwards, and many others.)

This morning I read a story sent by an email contact that said other nations are trying to help Katrina victims, but their help is becoming tied up in red tape and is therefore not ever going to reach the victims. Click here to read the story. I keep hearing stories of Atlanta firefighters who were ready and willing to go to New Orleans and Biloxi and help out, but they spent time in sensitivity seminars.

It's become true over the years that we have lost some of our common sense, all in the name of political correctness and fear of lawsuits. Yet at a time when we should be uniting to help, instead some are standing on top of a big pile of red tape.

What are your thoughts? I'd like to do a poll for a future blog post. Send me your comments at cajungal68@bellsouth.net.

Katrina Potpourri Info

Today's blog will be short and to the point. I am still interested in any ideas, suggestions, etc. that any of you have for this blog.

The more people I talk to, the more I realize how many of us are affected by Katrina, whether directly or indirectly. Most of the evacuees are "out of their element." Those of us housing evacuees are also adjusting, and trying to provide some comfort in this hectic time.

It looks like my parents can return in early October. They will not be going back this week, despite Aaron Broussard's press releases that residents can return. Their area probably has power and running water, but there's a chance it doesn't. Many places in surrounding New Orleans areas are just beginning to open, so they are going to wait.

Something to be aware of - there are rumors of several carjackings in the Atlanta metro area the last several weeks. Supposedly some of the prisoners in Louisiana were set free due to Katrina. Please be careful and exercise good common sense when you are going about your regular activities. Lock car doors, be aware of your surroundings, etc.

A few links for your reference this Monday morning:

Beware of purchasing a used car anytime soon!

Hurricane Rita is gaining strength.

Click here for another hero story.

Click here to visit Operation Superhero and see what they are doing to help.

Please send any suggestions, comments, or article links to me at cajungal68@bellsouth.net.

Thanks!