From the Times-Picayune:
The closing will end 45 years of navigation on the 60-mile shipping channel that provided a shortcut from New Orleans to the Gulf of Mexico. Although the corps contended that the channel, completed in the 1960s, had minimal impact on Hurricane Katrina's storm surge, MR-GO took the brunt of criticism for the massive flooding in St. Bernard Parish and part of New Orleans during the 2005 storm.
Environmentalists also have blamed it for killing off thousands of acres of cypress wetlands and marsh, vital to helping the area absorb the pounding of hurricanes.
....
The corps has been working with state and federal agencies to devise a supplement to the MR-GO closing plan to address restoration of areas affected by the shipping channel. The plan could include marsh creation, barrier island building, shoreline protection and freshwater diversions from the Mississippi River.
This is good news, one step in the right direction, but's only the beginning of a vast amount of work that needs to be done to restore the marshes and coastal areas of Louisiana. The people spoke out long and loud, and the Corps responded - finally.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Meet Crapaud
I'd like to introduce y'all to a new Louisiana blogger, Crapaud. Now how Louisiana is that name? His recent post on the new "Man of Steele" chairman of the Republican Party, Lawn Jockey Alert, is wise and funny. He can say stuff He quotes The Field Negro, who says stuff that I can't say, because I'm the wrong color, and it would not be PC. The title of his new blog is Times a'Changin'. Check it out.
UPDATE: I figured Crapaud all wrong, but I corrected the post as well as I could, while still showing that I made a big faux pas. All I had to do to get it right was to read Crapaud's post with a little more care. Let me say that I was proud to have what I thought was my first known black fan. But, hey! I should know that I'm not that cool. Crapaud, that don't mean that I don't like you, too, because I do. I have an idea. In solidarity with our new president, how 'bout we say, "We are all black now!"?
And you should read The Field Negro, too. He's a force!
UPDATE: Crapaud has apologized beautifully for MY mistake in misreading his post. That's Louisiana gallantry at its best. In addition, he provides us with the response of our own Louisiana man, David Duke, to the election of Michael Steele as chairman of the Republican National Committee, true pearls of wisdom from our very own Klansman.
But, Crapaud, surely you're too harsh on yourself.
UPDATE: I figured Crapaud all wrong, but I corrected the post as well as I could, while still showing that I made a big faux pas. All I had to do to get it right was to read Crapaud's post with a little more care. Let me say that I was proud to have what I thought was my first known black fan. But, hey! I should know that I'm not that cool. Crapaud, that don't mean that I don't like you, too, because I do. I have an idea. In solidarity with our new president, how 'bout we say, "We are all black now!"?
And you should read The Field Negro, too. He's a force!
UPDATE: Crapaud has apologized beautifully for MY mistake in misreading his post. That's Louisiana gallantry at its best. In addition, he provides us with the response of our own Louisiana man, David Duke, to the election of Michael Steele as chairman of the Republican National Committee, true pearls of wisdom from our very own Klansman.
But, Crapaud, surely you're too harsh on yourself.
"I Cried Today" - IT
From IT in the comments at The Friends of Jake:
IT said...
I cried today. Stupid. I was at my dentist's (he's a friend and came to our wedding) and he cheerfully said, "How's married life treating you?" and I replied, waaay too seriously, "good for as long as it lasts," and then he wanted to know about the court case, and if we'd heard whether our marriage would last, and when we would KNOW, and how we are doing, etc etc and I had to go through it all again.
I walked out to the car afterwards and got in and cried tears of anger and frustration--not at my dear dentist, but at feeling I'm living betwixt and between, unresolved, at being A Thing whose fate is decided by courts and how the PropH8 people took my euphoric feeling that finally I was a Real Married Person with a real place in society, like everyone else, and they threw me back into the gutter and kicked me back into being an unwanted outsider.
And then I dried my eyes and went to work and tried, yet again, to get past it.
I don't know what to say, except to note that the marriages of 18,000 couples, 36,000 human beings, may be annulled by the passage of Prop 8 in California.
H/T to Arkansas Hillbilly, who posted these poignant words, too, and followed them with lovely commentary.
IT said...
I cried today. Stupid. I was at my dentist's (he's a friend and came to our wedding) and he cheerfully said, "How's married life treating you?" and I replied, waaay too seriously, "good for as long as it lasts," and then he wanted to know about the court case, and if we'd heard whether our marriage would last, and when we would KNOW, and how we are doing, etc etc and I had to go through it all again.
I walked out to the car afterwards and got in and cried tears of anger and frustration--not at my dear dentist, but at feeling I'm living betwixt and between, unresolved, at being A Thing whose fate is decided by courts and how the PropH8 people took my euphoric feeling that finally I was a Real Married Person with a real place in society, like everyone else, and they threw me back into the gutter and kicked me back into being an unwanted outsider.
And then I dried my eyes and went to work and tried, yet again, to get past it.
I don't know what to say, except to note that the marriages of 18,000 couples, 36,000 human beings, may be annulled by the passage of Prop 8 in California.
H/T to Arkansas Hillbilly, who posted these poignant words, too, and followed them with lovely commentary.
Berani, The Orangutan, Escapes In The Zoo
From the Times-Picayune:
Using only a stretched green T-shirt and powerful upper-body strength, a Sumatran orangutan named Berani escaped from his Audubon Zoo enclosure Friday -- for about 10 minutes.
Employing a level of cunning that could have come from a prison movie, the brownish-orange primate stretched the shirt, scaled a 10 1/2-foot wall to the top of the moat, wrapped the shirt around the "hot" electrical wires surrounding the exhibit and swung out about 12:45 p.m., zoo spokeswoman Sarah Burnette said.
That's Berani the Coy in the picture. He's a clever one, isn't he? If he could talk, we'd know just how clever.
The sight of a primate mixing on the grounds with zoo patrons did cause a mild stir.
"There was a group of people standing there," Burnette said, "and they kind of pointed, and there was Berani, standing in the middle of the boardwalk. He kind of lingered there for no more than 10 minutes and catapulted himself back into his exhibit."
The zoo staff gave the orangutans t-shirts to play with every day, but now, no more t-shirts! Berani escaped from his enclosure, and then he got back in. T-shirts or not, he may repeat the the exercise. What now? A higher fence? I think there's a message here.
Friday, January 30, 2009
"To Be Six Again"
A man was sitting on the edge of the bed, observing his wife, looking at herself in the mirror. Since her birthday was not far off he asked what she'd like to have for her Birthday.
'I'd like to be six again', she replied, still looking in the mirror.
On the morning of her birthday, he arose early, made her a nice big bowl of Lucky Charms, and then took her to Six Flags theme park. What a day!
He put her on every ride in the park; the Death Slide, the Wall of Fear, the Screaming Monster Roller Coaster, everything there.
Five hours later they staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down.
He then took her to a McDonald's where he ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a chocolate shake.
Then it was off to a movie, popcorn, a soda pop, and her favorite candy, M&M's. What a fabulous adventure! Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed exhausted. He leaned over his wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, 'Well Dear, what was it like being six again??'
Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed. 'I meant my dress size, you dumb ass!'
The moral of the story:
Even when a man is listening, he's gonna get it wrong.
Don't blame me. Blame naughty Doug.
'I'd like to be six again', she replied, still looking in the mirror.
On the morning of her birthday, he arose early, made her a nice big bowl of Lucky Charms, and then took her to Six Flags theme park. What a day!
He put her on every ride in the park; the Death Slide, the Wall of Fear, the Screaming Monster Roller Coaster, everything there.
Five hours later they staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down.
He then took her to a McDonald's where he ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a chocolate shake.
Then it was off to a movie, popcorn, a soda pop, and her favorite candy, M&M's. What a fabulous adventure! Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed exhausted. He leaned over his wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, 'Well Dear, what was it like being six again??'
Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed. 'I meant my dress size, you dumb ass!'
The moral of the story:
Even when a man is listening, he's gonna get it wrong.
Don't blame me. Blame naughty Doug.
Ellie's Tribute To Izzy
Today, my wonderful Anatolian Shepherd (who was part of my life for almost thirteen years) died peacefully in my arms. She had just been diagnosed with bone cancer.
I made the decision many years ago that I would not let her deteriorate or go through any unnecessary pain when there was no hope of her getting better. So there was no inner struggle or conflict about knowing what needed to be done.
She was happy to the end - still guarding the house with vigor.
Please go read the rest of Ellie's lovely tribute to Izzy, a truly magnificent friend and companion.
Quote Of The Day
From the TimesOnline.
Father Floriano Abrahamowicz, head of the [S]ociety [of Saint Pius X] in Treviso in northeast Italy, told a local paper: "I know that gas chambers existed as a means to disinfect. But I cannot say for sure if they killed anyone, because I really haven't looked into it." His remarks were widely reported in the Italian media.
I dunno. Maybe Father Floriano should have "looked into it" before he spoke out.
Father Floriano's bishop, Richard Williamson, recently stated on Swedish TV, "I believe there were no gas chambers."
Which is it? No gas chambers, or gas chambers for the purpose of disinfection?
The excommunication of the society's members was recently lifted by Pope Benedict XVI.
A long time ago, Gerturde Stein said, "There is no pope."
Father Floriano Abrahamowicz, head of the [S]ociety [of Saint Pius X] in Treviso in northeast Italy, told a local paper: "I know that gas chambers existed as a means to disinfect. But I cannot say for sure if they killed anyone, because I really haven't looked into it." His remarks were widely reported in the Italian media.
I dunno. Maybe Father Floriano should have "looked into it" before he spoke out.
Father Floriano's bishop, Richard Williamson, recently stated on Swedish TV, "I believe there were no gas chambers."
Which is it? No gas chambers, or gas chambers for the purpose of disinfection?
The excommunication of the society's members was recently lifted by Pope Benedict XVI.
A long time ago, Gerturde Stein said, "There is no pope."
Prayer Request From Ellie - "Oh, No, No, No, No!"
From Ellie Finlay
Oh, no, no, no.
I just this minute got the word that Izzy (my big dog) has bone cancer. Her leg could break at any moment. I'm going to need to have her put down in a couple of days. I just asked her vet to give me time to process this and say good-bye.
Obviously, I'm in shock right now. It hasn't really sunk in.
Oh dear! How sad. And so soon after Ellie's scare about her own health. Please pray for Ellie and Izzy.
UPDATE:
From Ellie:
I've decided to have her put down this afternoon. I'm actually on my way now. A dear friend and dog lover is meeting me at the animal hospital.
Please keep saying prayers. I love this dog like my life - I'm sure you understand.
Love,
Ellie
Oh, no, no, no.
I just this minute got the word that Izzy (my big dog) has bone cancer. Her leg could break at any moment. I'm going to need to have her put down in a couple of days. I just asked her vet to give me time to process this and say good-bye.
Obviously, I'm in shock right now. It hasn't really sunk in.
Oh dear! How sad. And so soon after Ellie's scare about her own health. Please pray for Ellie and Izzy.
UPDATE:
From Ellie:
I've decided to have her put down this afternoon. I'm actually on my way now. A dear friend and dog lover is meeting me at the animal hospital.
Please keep saying prayers. I love this dog like my life - I'm sure you understand.
Love,
Ellie
Now Is The Time For Universal Health Care
Paul Krugman in the New York Times:
The whole world is in recession. But the United States is the only wealthy country in which the economic catastrophe will also be a health care catastrophe — in which millions of people will lose their health insurance along with their jobs, and therefore lose access to essential care.
Which raises a question: Why has the Obama administration been silent, at least so far, about one of President Obama’s key promises during last year’s campaign — the promise of guaranteed health care for all Americans?
Good question. I've been wondering about that myself. When my son lost his job a couple of years ago, he tried to start a small business. The COBRA premiums on the health insurance from his former employer were too expensive, so he bought private health insurance. That was during the year after his divorce, and his blood pressure went up, no doubt due to the twin catastrophes, and the private plan doubled his premiums. He was forced to abandon the idea of a small business and take a job with health-care benefits. I wonder how many small businesses do not succeed or are never started due to health insurance issues. It seems to me that our country, where capitalism is valued next to God (or even higher than God!), entrepreneurship is too often stifled because of the pathetic state of our country's health care.
If you're wealthy, or elderly with Medicare coverage, of if you're well-covered by your employer's health care plan, you do all right. But if that's not the case, then you're in a pretty bad way.
Krugman lists several reasons why Obama's advisers may be cautioning him against moving forward on universal health care, which you can read if you click the link. Of the final possible reason, Krugman says:
Finally — and this is, I suspect, the real reason for the administration’s health care silence — there’s the political argument that this is a bad time to be pushing fundamental health care reform, because the nation’s attention is focused on the economic crisis. But if history is any guide, this argument is precisely wrong.
Don’t take my word for it. Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff, has declared that “you never want a serious crisis to go to waste.” Indeed. F.D.R. was able to enact Social Security in part because the Great Depression highlighted the need for a stronger social safety net. And the current crisis presents a real opportunity to fix the gaping holes that remain in that safety net, especially with regard to health care.
I believe that Krugman is correct in his analysis.
The whole world is in recession. But the United States is the only wealthy country in which the economic catastrophe will also be a health care catastrophe — in which millions of people will lose their health insurance along with their jobs, and therefore lose access to essential care.
Which raises a question: Why has the Obama administration been silent, at least so far, about one of President Obama’s key promises during last year’s campaign — the promise of guaranteed health care for all Americans?
Good question. I've been wondering about that myself. When my son lost his job a couple of years ago, he tried to start a small business. The COBRA premiums on the health insurance from his former employer were too expensive, so he bought private health insurance. That was during the year after his divorce, and his blood pressure went up, no doubt due to the twin catastrophes, and the private plan doubled his premiums. He was forced to abandon the idea of a small business and take a job with health-care benefits. I wonder how many small businesses do not succeed or are never started due to health insurance issues. It seems to me that our country, where capitalism is valued next to God (or even higher than God!), entrepreneurship is too often stifled because of the pathetic state of our country's health care.
If you're wealthy, or elderly with Medicare coverage, of if you're well-covered by your employer's health care plan, you do all right. But if that's not the case, then you're in a pretty bad way.
Krugman lists several reasons why Obama's advisers may be cautioning him against moving forward on universal health care, which you can read if you click the link. Of the final possible reason, Krugman says:
Finally — and this is, I suspect, the real reason for the administration’s health care silence — there’s the political argument that this is a bad time to be pushing fundamental health care reform, because the nation’s attention is focused on the economic crisis. But if history is any guide, this argument is precisely wrong.
Don’t take my word for it. Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff, has declared that “you never want a serious crisis to go to waste.” Indeed. F.D.R. was able to enact Social Security in part because the Great Depression highlighted the need for a stronger social safety net. And the current crisis presents a real opportunity to fix the gaping holes that remain in that safety net, especially with regard to health care.
I believe that Krugman is correct in his analysis.
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