I got a message a few days ago from a prof at a Big State University. (No, not my alma mater.) I’m sharing it here…
Pronounce the dot.
I got a message a few days ago from a prof at a Big State University. (No, not my alma mater.) I’m sharing it here…
Last night was the first and best parade of the Carnival season: Krewe du Vieux. Even though I’ve been pretty down lately and not feeling…
Despite what I wrote a few days ago, and particularly in light of the heartfelt feedback I received, I wanted to make one thing clear:…
I made it in to the Louisiana Supreme Court for the Senate field hearing, “Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Outstanding Need, Slow Progress.” Just getting in was an object lesson. First we (members of the publiuc) were shoved back out the door to wait in the cold, then we went through the obligatory metal detectors, then we were photographed and tagged. I’m now wearing a sticker with my name, picture and barcode. I’ve been told more than once that cell phones must be turned off but I see plenty of people using them so that’s how I’m posting this. I may be able to post updates here throughout the day or I may wait until it’s all over…
Update: The hearing started off with a bang. A young man stood up and unfurled a sign that said “PROBE THE WHITE HOUSE.” He urged Senator Lieberman to “probe the White House” and was yelling “stand up for justice!” as he was escorted from the chamber.
There were three senators at the hearing: Barack Obama, Joe Lieberman, and Mary Landrieu. All Democrats, you’ll note. Hmm. Coincidence? Or could Katrina be shaping up as a campaign issue for 2008 after all?
I’ll be the first to admit I’m out of my depth. Nevertheless here are my notes on the day’s hearing, rough and unfiltered…
Front page of the paper this morning: Warren Riley’s mug and the headline, “Officials say city making headway against crime.” Apparently the superintendent and the…
I am planning to take the day off work and attend the field hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs,…
This just in from Kittee: Hey, ya’ll! We’re gonna do Helen up right with a big old jazz funeral in New Orleans. Can you believe…
I haven’t talked to Paul since he left New Orleans. I saw him only briefly in the lobby of the hotel by the airport, the night after Helen was killed. For the first time in my life I was literally at a loss for words. I just couldn’t think of a thing to say. So, really, I haven’t talked to Paul since New Year’s Eve, when he and Helen and Francis stopped by our house for a visit.
I need to write Paul a letter. I still hardly know what to say, but I will have to find the words.
I remember a strange feeling as I lay down to sleep on the first few nights of this new year. I had a nice break…
Not a mention, not even a word. In last night’s State of the Union address, President Bush talked about all manner of subjects, but he…
Maybe it’s just my imagination, but it seems that I’ve been hearing sirens constantly the last couple weeks. I think it started just after the…
Like it or not — and I don’t like it, not one bit — I seem to have become some kind of spokesperson on the…
Monday’s Times-Picayune carried a story in the Metro section about a young man named Chivas Doyle. He just turned 24 last week. He was attending…
Huey Long’s populist message for the people of Louisiana was “Every Man a King.” Wouldn’t it be something if we updated that to the idea…
It is truly humbling to serve as a vessel for community outrage. The speech I gave Thursday — that wasn’t me. That was y’all. I…
I’m speaking at today’s march for five minutes, a task for which I feel utterly inadequate. I’ve been trying to collect my thoughts. Here’s what…
Today they’re burying Helen in Columbia, South Carolina. Tomorrow we march on City Hall in New Orleans. I’m not attending the funeral. I’m not sure…
What do you say to a child who’s lost his mother to a brutal and senseless act of violence? Somehow “I’m sorry” sounds so inadequate.…
Dr. Paul Gailiunas has been my hero ever since I met him — what, five years ago? It seems like I’ve known him forever. He’s…