Friday, August 9, 2013
Thursday, August 8, 2013
IT'S NOT THE GUNS - PART 8
Authorities in Louisiana don’t know how a 5-year-old boy managed to shoot a 3-year-old boy, but they are pretty sure that people taking care of the children are lying about the incident.One day later:
According to The News Star, Monroe Police Sgt. Mark Johnson said officers responded to reports that a 3-year-old had been shot by a 5-year-old playing with a gun after 1 p.m. on Thursday [Aug. 1].
“We think there may be more going on than we’ve been told,” Johnson explained. “This is a serious situation. Some people may have given us untruthful statements.”
A child shot at a Dixie Avenue residence in Monroe died Friday after being taken off life support.Part of the what the NRA says is true. It is the guns, but it's also ignorant, reckless, irresponsible people who own guns.
According to Sgt. Mark Johnson, the child, whose name was not released, was declared dead around 1:30 p.m. Friday [Aug. 2] at St. Francis Medical Center.
Around 1 p.m. Thursday, police responded to 201 Dixie Avenue in relation to the shooting of a 3-year-old child.
An investigation revealed the child was shot by a 5-year-old and the 3-year-old’s mother rushed him to the hospital.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.How does a well regulated militia come to include people who leave loaded guns around accessible to toddlers and children? Where is the regulation? Who is responsible for the killings? How long will we allow such senseless deaths to continue?
"SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK"

The suspense as to whether the characters in the film would continue to roam free kept me on the edge of my seat till the very end. The poignant thread which weaves through the story, of the wounded helping the wounded to heal, moved me greatly.
The movie was nominated for and won many awards, including the Academy Award for Best Actress to Jennifer Lawrence for her excellent performance as Tiffany. Bradley Cooper, as Pat, skillfully navigates his way through the bipolar character's rapid personality changes, and Robert De Niro shines in his portrayal of Pat's obsessive-compulsive disordered father. Pat's mother Dolores (Jacki Weaver), the loving and compassionate enabler to the eccentric family members, plays her role often wide-eyed, shocked, and stricken by the mayhem around her. All the characters endeared themselves to me in their own wonderful ways. I applaud all involved in making the marvelous film.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
HOW TO DESTROY A COMMUNITY - ALGIERS POINT
As you see on the map, Algiers Point is the pink area, a charming, historic community on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. The Central Business District is labeled, but the French Quarter is not. The small green square directly across from Algiers Point is Jackson Square, the heart of the Quarter. You see how convenient the Canal Street ferry is for pedestrians who live or stay in Algiers Point to reach the Quarter and the CBD, where there are also a good many popular restaurants. The famous St Charles streetcar, which transports riders to the Garden District or for a lovely ride on oak-lined St Charles Avenue is easily reached on foot from the ferry landing.
But no. Plan a ferry schedule that stops running at 7:00 on weekdays and 8:15 on weekends, the very time when people are having dinner, followed by a drink or a visit to one of the many small clubs in or near the Quarter to listen to music. If tourists don't follow weekends and want to enjoy themselves every day and evening, well just stay elsewhere.
This is New Orleans! The reduced hours of ferry operation are idiotic to the point that I want to scream, cry, or bang my head, or all three. What are you thinking, leaders and planners? Are you thinking?
Algiers Point business owners, dependent on visitors keen to get out of downtown New Orleans tourist spots and explore the unique neighborhood across the Mississippi River, say reduced Canal Street ferry hours are proving disastrous for their bottom lines.What have we here? A good many businesses on Algiers point, small businesses, which all politicians tout as great job creators, will quite likely be destroyed.
“It’s been terrible for business,” said Linda Bullard, manager of the Dry Dock Café, a popular watering hole just steps from the ferry station.
Bullard said the bar-restaurant has seen a reduction in business of between 30 and 40 percent since the Louisiana Department of Transportation clipped the late-night schedule a month ago.
....
The Algiers Point ferry service, which used to run until midnight, now ends at 8:15 p.m. on the weekends and before 7 p.m. the rest of the week.
....
The small Algiers Point bed-and-breakfast industry also has taken a hit in the aftermath of the schedule slash.
“There’s been an absolute turndown in business,” said Kevin Herridge, owner of the House of the Rising Sun Bed and Breakfast on Pelican Avenue.
....
The ripple effect has extended to local artisans who rely on the Algiers Point bed-and-breakfast industry.
Bars
Cafés
Bed and Breakfast establishments
Artisan shops
Moving picture theater
Landlords
Who cares, but the business owners and their patrons, who will now be former patrons?
A good many hospitality workers with jobs in the French Quarter or the Central Business District will likely have to move, because they will have difficulty getting home after work, thus renters will lose their tenants.
Algiers residents spoke Monday night about their frustrations with the Canal Street ferry’s reduced hours and concerns about what they described as the high cost of commuting across the river under a takeover plan proposed by the Regional Transit System.Even as prohibitive fares may be levied on pedestrians who use the ferry, gas-guzzling vehicles spewing carbon monoxide into our already polluted air will ride free of tolls over the Crescent City Connection bridges. People who don't own cars and workers in the French Quarter and CBD, who may own cars, but who would have difficulty finding free parking places, will have to pay for parking or ride the bus.
....
Under RTA’s plan pedestrians who now ride the ferries for free would pay a base fare of $2 each way or $75 for a monthly pass. That’s a significant cost for many who use the boats daily, residents said.
....
Throughout the discussion, residents called for a cheaper option for those who regularly use the ferry, possibly funded by increasing the cost for tourists and other infrequent riders. A number of other suggestions, including selling advertising and naming rights on the boats, also cropped up during the discussion.
“I find it more than a little ironic that those who can afford a car can now cross the river for free, but those who can’t are now going to pay $4 a day,” Michelle Moltz said.Indeed.
NOTE: Because of the curves in the Mississippi River, the West Bank is sometimes to the east and south of New Orleans, so it is then the West Bank in name only.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
RICK PERRY IN NEW ORLEANS (LOUISIANA)
Rick Perry: “Now there are many other states that embrace those conservative values, the approach that we’ve taken over the years. I’m in one today – in Florida. Look at South Carolina; you look at Florida.”Run, Rick, run. Oooh, I hope Perry runs. He will not be the candidate unless the death wish in the GOP is far stronger than even I can imagine, but it will be such fun if Perry runs. The video is priceless. Graceful recovery - NOT.
From the audience: “We’re in Louisiana!”
Rick Perry: "I know; I said that. I'm in one of those states that reflect those today - in Louisiana. Yes, I got that."
H/T to Daily Kos and a Facebook friend.
THANK YOU, FEEDLY
Feedly, my new reader, which replaces Google Reader, now lists the blogs I follow in alphabetical order, an arrangement I have wanted from the beginning. I didn't change any settings, but today I had my wish. Previously, I couldn't figure out the rhyme or reason for the arrangement of the list, and I often had to search for a while to find a particular blog. Thank you, Feedly.
So far, I've adjusted well to the new reader. Feedly pays close attention to feedback from users, and they are trying hard to provide a useful and satisfying service.
Monday, August 5, 2013
SLEEPLESS AND SUNRISE IN THIBODAUX
Wondering how today will go with no sleep last night. The picture shows a less than spectacular sunrise, a view I don't often see, for I'm not an early riser. Since I wasn't sleeping, I got up from bed before sunrise and hoped for a beautiful sight. Still, it's a good thing the sun rose, yes?
No major problems, just vague digestive distress, enough to keep me awake. And, of course, when one tosses and turns, the mind tends to race, which is not conducive to sleep. A vicious cycle. I don't often have insomnia. Sometimes I don't get enough hours of sleep, but hardly ever no sleep at all. I should be counting my blessings, yes?
Y'all have a good day.
UPDATE: I slept well last night.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
ELEPHANT REVIVAL - "ANCIENT SEA"
Listening to the music of Elephant Revival always makes me smile. All the musicians in the group are so very talented.
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