Anyone watching Anthony Bopurdain in New Orleans?

[leftofthedial]

Damn.

We should all tell Clinton AND Obama to stuff it and take our energy to NOLA and help bring back one of America's greatest cities.

[jlake]

1. I think that under either administration, we will see NO brought back to life.

[cbayer]

3. Could be wrong, but I haven't hear either of them speak to that.

NOLA has been abandoned. Just ask anyone who still lives there.

[jlake]

4. Hillary was just speaking about it on her townhall meeting.

[leftofthedial]

5. lip service?

or a plan?

I talk about trains in some of my songs, but I'm not an engineer . . .

[jlake]

7. A plan to rebuild this nation. Create jobs and build long term wealth

through upgrading this country to the 21st century.
She specifically mentioned New Orleans - how it should have never happened, and how it needs to be fixed.
Bridges, Tunnels, Levies, Railroad, Highways, Total overhaul.
It is not lip service. It is an integral part of her plan.

[cbayer]

12. Who is that person in your post?

[jlake]

14. Delaware Senator Joe Biden.

[cbayer]

17. sorry, did not recognize him

[cbayer]

8. Only the well to do get to watch these events

I don't have cable or satellite or a fast enough internet connection.

[jlake]

11. It is on the radio as well.

I am sorry you missed it, but that does not take away from the fact she is speaking about it.

[cbayer]

16. what radio? I could not find it.

[jlake]

18. I don't know what station it was on in your area. You could probably find it on

www.hillaryclinton.com

[cbayer]

21. Nope, not there

I raise this issue because there is a substantial portion of the public being excluded from access to these events. All events should be broadcast on stations that people like me can get over the air. Hallmark and CNN exclude us and I see that as a problem.

[leftofthedial]

22. well-to-do?

umm. that's rich.

(I kill me.)

[cbayer]

24. lol

OK, maybe not well to do, but cable and satellite and high speed internet are expensive. And we should make sure that those who can't afford these media can still get the information they need through the air - free.

[leftofthedial]

30. like health care

high-speed internet should be available for every citizen.

[NYCGirl]

10. Here's the Obama-Coburn Katrina Oversight Bill from 2005:

Obama, Coburn Hurricane Katrina Oversight Bill Passes Senate Committee Unanimously
Obama Says Unanimous Committee Passage is First Step to Ensuring Financial Accountability

WASHINGTON - Legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) designed to ensure financial integrity in the Hurricane Katrina relief and reconstruction effort passed the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs today by unanimous voice-vote. Unanimous committee passage is a crucial first step in ensuring that the Oversight of Vital Emergency Recovery Spending Enhancement and Enforcement Act (OVERSEE) becomes law.

"Recently, Congress approved $62 billion for Gulf Coast relief and rebuilding efforts - most of which will go directly to FEMA," said Obama. "This is twelve times the amount of money FEMA was given last year - more than it has ever been trusted to spend before. If FEMA's track record during the rescue effort and in years before is any indication of how they will perform during the rebuilding that lies ahead, this should concern every taxpayer and every citizen interested in helping the millions of Americans who have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina."

Previous rebuilding efforts involving FEMA and other government agencies have a history of fraud, corruption, and waste when there is no oversight or accountability in how the funds are spent. Following Hurricane Frances in 2004, FEMA awarded $30 million and approved more than 12,000 claims for residents of Miami-Dade County. The storm, however, made landfall 100 miles north and Miami-Dade never even saw hurricane-force winds.

The Coburn-Obama bill would create a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to oversee all expenditures associated with the Hurricane Katrina relief and reconstruction effort. The Hurricane Katrina CFO would be appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate, staffed with experts from relevant federal agencies, and would have management and oversight over any agency using federal funds for the recovery. The CFO would issue monthly financial reports to Congress, and the Government Accountability Office would issue quarterly reports to Congress reviewing the work of the CFO and recovery activities.

"As we look towards the massive Gulf Coast rebuilding efforts ahead, we must demand accountability over how the billions of dollars we've given to FEMA are spent," said Obama. "The CFO will also specifically look at whether federal funds are going to people most in need, whether federal funds are going to companies that hire local workers, and the extent to which the federal government is using no-bid and 'cost-plus' contracts. As you'll recall, these contracts are what caused the whole contracting mess in Iraq."

"Even if the levees hadn't burst and New Orleans didn't flood, Hurricane Katrina would still be the largest natural disaster this country has ever faced, and the rebuilding effort will be certainly be the largest and costliest of its kind. This entrusts FEMA with a massive amount of responsibility, and so it's only right that we protect both taxpayers and citizens on the Gulf Coast with strict accountability and oversight about how the money is being spent and whether it's being most efficiently directed to helping people rebuild their lives. I believe the bill's unanimous passage by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs shows our commitment to financial accountability in these rebuilding efforts, and is an important first step in creating a CFO who will help ensure our tax dollars aren't wasted."

MORE AT http://obama.senate.gov/press/050922-obama_coburn_hu/

Here's an article about Obama's letter to Bush re: NO demolition of low-income housing:

http://www.sfbayview.com/20071219712/News/Hurican_Relief_Network/Obama_calls_on_Bush_to_stop_demolition_in_New_Orleans.html

And there's more

[leftofthedial]

23. that verbiage ain't that different from what king george says

[NYCGirl]

26. Except that it's blasting FEMA and making sure they do their jobs. NT

[cbayer]

25. That's good stuff, but have you been to NOLA lately?

[Bonobo]

2. I am.

Bush should be put on trial for treason.

[leftofthedial]

6. repukes have ZERO respect for our culture

or ANY culture

they should all be tried for treason.

MFing bastards.

[supernova]

9. Love Anthony!

B-)

I'm recording it to watch later. Can't wait to hear what AB has to say about NOLA being left holding the bag.

Truly is sad.

[leftofthedial]

13. what a poignant show

he's great (although a little too cynical even for me sometimes). the show is great.

NOLA is a tragedy STILL!!!!!

[truedelphi]

27. I think part of his cynacism is that he is free of the MSM conditioning for much of his life

He sees that people who have like 15% of what we have here in terms of economic resources are happier.

They live longer. Eat with their families and friends an d enjoy their food.

So many Americans never experience another culture,

[americanstranger]

15. Bourdain is great.

I really enjoy his show, but I'm in the midst of missing the NOLA episode. Hopefully, I'll get to see a rerun.

- as

[elizfeelinggreat]

19. recording

it

[shanti]

20. oh yeah!

i luvs me some tony bourdain :loveya: this was a great choice for a destination and kudos to tony and crew for jolting people awake again.

[leftofthedial]

31. DAMN great show!

I can't wait to get back to NOLA

[Paulie]

28. If Poland could rebuild, why cant we?

By the end of WWII, Warsaw was reduced to a pile of rubble and dust. Using old photos, they rebuilt the old town and the palace, then the rest of the city. Its shameful we couldn't do the same for NOLA. But Georgie needs his war on.

Don't forget Poland...

[leftofthedial]

32. LOL

Even Hiroshima rebuilt

[davsand]

29. Excellent show.

The soul of NOLA lives on. If anyone is serious about helping out, then make your plans NOW to get down there! They need us.


Laura