Corruption continues in the big easy

[warpedskydiver 0]

Mayor Nagin Re-Elected in New Orleans
By MICHELLE ROBERTS, Associated Press Writer
2 hours ago

NEW ORLEANS - Voters re-elected Mayor Ray Nagin, whose blunt style endeared him to some but outraged others after Hurricane Katrina, giving him four more years to oversee one of the largest rebuilding projects in U.S. history.

"This is a great day for the city of New Orleans. This election is over, and it's time for this community to start the healing process," Nagin said Saturday in a joyful victory speech.

"It's time for us to stop the bickering," he said. "It's time for us to stop measuring things in black and white and yellow and Asian. It's time for us to be one New Orleans."

Nagin won with 52.3 percent, or 59,460 votes, to Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu's 47.7 percent, or 54,131 votes. While the vote was split largely along racial lines, Nagin got enough of a crossover in predominantly white districts to make the difference. He also won a slim majority of absentee and fax votes cast by evacuees scattered across the country.

Greg Rigamer, a political and demographic analyst, said on Sunday that about one-fifth of black and white voters crossed over to support Nagin and Landrieu. Black voters, who made up a little more than half of all voters in the primary, had higher turnout, he said.

"The bottom line is we ended up with the mayor who represents the demography of the city," said Rigamer, who analyzes data from the Secretary of State's office and other sources.

Nagin, a former cable television executive elected to office in 2002, had argued the city could ill-afford to change course as rebuilding gathered steam. He and Landrieu are both Democrats, but Nagin is largely viewed as the more conservative of the two candidates because of his business background and his past support of Republican candidates for other offices.

His second term begins a day before the June 1 start of the hurricane season in a city where streets are still strewn with rusting, mud-covered cars and entire neighborhoods consist of homes that are empty shells.

With little disagreement on the major issues _ the right of residents to rebuild in all areas and the urgent need for federal aid _ the campaign turned on leadership styles.

Nagin, a janitor's son from a working-class neighborhood, is known for his shoot-from-the-hip rhetoric. After Katrina plunged his city into chaos nine months ago, Nagin was both scorned and praised for a tearful plea for the federal government to "get off their (behinds) and do something" and his remark that God intended New Orleans to be a "chocolate" city.

In his victory speech, Nagin promised his supporters, "You're not going to get a typical Ray Nagin speech. I'm not going to get into trouble tonight, trust me."

He reached out to President Bush, thanking him for keeping his commitment to bring billions of dollars for levees, housing and incentives to the city.

And as for Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco, with whom he feuded in the wake of the storm, Nagin thanked her "for what she's getting ready to do."

"It's time for a real partnership," he said. "It's time for us to get together and rebuild this city."

Landrieu, who served 16 years in the state House before being elected to his current post two years ago, had touted his polished political skills and his ability to bring people together.

He's the scion of a political dynasty, compared sometimes to the Kennedys _ the brother of Sen. Mary Landrieu and son of New Orleans' last white mayor, Moon Landrieu, who left office in 1978.

In conceding the race, Landrieu echoed the theme of his campaign _ a call for unity.

"One thing is for sure: that we as a people have got to come together so we can speak with one voice and one purpose," he said.

Fewer than half of New Orleans' 455,000 pre-Katrina residents are living in the city.

Evacuees arrived by bus from as far as Atlanta and Houston to vote. More than 25,000 ballots were cast early by mail or fax or at satellite polling places set up around Louisiana earlier in the month.

Turnout, at about 38 percent, was slightly higher than the April 22 primary.

Nagin, who had widespread support from white voters four years ago, lost much of that support in the primary but got a much stronger showing this time.

Voter Elliot Pernell was philosophical about his vote for the incumbent.

"He's been through the experience already," he said, "and won't make the same mistakes."

___

Associated Press writers Brett Martel, Kevin McGill and Hank Ackerman contributed to this report.

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Well I hope they are happy with the criminal they elected

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[skydyvr 0]

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"This is a great day for the city of New Orleans Chocolate City.

There, fixed it.

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"It's time for us to stop measuring things in black and white and yellow and Asian."

Yes, let's use racist ice-cream flavor labels instead.

. . =(_8^(1)

[miked10270 0]

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Well I hope they are happy with the criminal they elected

The French have a saying... "Vote for the Crook rather than the Faschist".

Mike.

Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable.

Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

[base283 0]

ummmm, okay, I'll bite. What corruption do you mean? I saw no ref to it in your post other than the title.
take care,
space

[Amazon 7]

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The French have a saying... "Vote for the Crook rather than the Faschist".

oh those silly French....

Hell in this country we have a long history with the crooks... but NOW the fucking crooks are tuning into fascists as well so they can get away with even more..

[warpedskydiver 0]

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ummmm, okay, I'll bite. What corruption do you mean? I saw no ref to it in your post other than the title.
take care,
space

Ok heres something for you to think about

FACT:Ray Nagin used the hurricane disaster to disarm and STEAL from LEGAL FIREARMS OWNERS without any law or precedent allowing this attack on the People of NO and the very constituents he swore to protect. ( Violation of the 2nd and 5th Ammendments to the US Constitution )

FACT while Ray Nagin had his police out confiscating LEGAL FIRARMS he was not making any attemt whatsoever to keep his own officers from breaking and entering with the intent to steal.

That may be a RICOH act violation.

FACT Ray Nagin was given a court order do cease and decist all firearms confiscations and to return ALL FIRARMS to their LEGAL owners.

HE DID NOT AND IS CURRENTLY IN VIOLATION OF A FEDERAL COURT ORDER.

Ray Nagin and his NOPD claims to not know where all the guns confiscated went and does not have any plans to return any firearms stolen by himself through his surrogates the NOPD.


I could go on further but NO just elected a CRIMINAL

need I say more?

[billvon 3,120]

>Ray Nagin used the hurricane disaster to disarm and STEAL from
> LEGAL FIREARMS OWNERS without any law or precedent allowing this
> attack on the People of NO and the very constituents he swore to
> protect. ( Violation of the 2nd and 5th Ammendments to the US
> Constitution )

Just as Bush used the 9/11 disaster to DISARM and STEAL knives from LEGAL KNIFE OWNERS without any law or precedents allowing this attack on the PEOPLE of the US. People's knives are being STOLEN from them at airport security stations throughout the US with the FULL consent and support of the US government!

FACT: Even though Bush allowed the DHS to STEAL knives from US citizens, he made NO effort to stop US police officers from committing crimes against this disarmed populace!

FACT: If Americans were allowed to carry knives on flights, future 9/11's would be STOPPED before the terrorist could do any harm at all!

Looks like there's a criminal in the White House too.

>That may be a RICOH act violation.

And a XEROX act violation as well.

[warpedskydiver 0]

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>Ray Nagin used the hurricane disaster to disarm and STEAL from
> LEGAL FIREARMS OWNERS without any law or precedent allowing this
> attack on the People of NO and the very constituents he swore to
> protect. ( Violation of the 2nd and 5th Ammendments to the US
> Constitution )

Just as Bush used the 9/11 disaster to DISARM and STEAL knives from LEGAL KNIFE OWNERS without any law or precedents allowing this attack on the PEOPLE of the US. People's knives are being STOLEN from them at airport security stations throughout the US with the FULL consent and support of the US government!

FACT: Even though Bush allowed the DHS to STEAL knives from US citizens, he made NO effort to stop US police officers from committing crimes against this disarmed populace!

FACT: If Americans were allowed to carry knives on flights, future 9/11's would be STOPPED before the terrorist could do any harm at all!

Looks like there's a criminal in the White House too.

>That may be a RICOH act violation.

And a XEROX act violation as well.

I was sure you could do better than that to defend Ray Nagin

[billvon 3,120]

>I was sure you could do better than that to defend Ray Nagin

Not defending Nagin. But of all the things to get mad about, disarming people within a national disaster area where criminal activity is rampant is surely one of the sillier ones.

[Trent 0]

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Not defending Nagin. But of all the things to get mad about, disarming people within a national disaster area where criminal activity is rampant is surely one of the sillier ones.

So you're okay with this particular violation of the Constitution? Just curious.

Oh, hello again!

[billvon 3,120]

>So you're okay with this particular violation of the Constitution?

I am as OK with this violation as I am with the similar disarming of legal gun and knife owners at airport security screenings. It's not ideal, but there is at least a logical reason for suspending this right under certain conditions. In an ideal world, neither violation would occur. But as we have seen quite often since 9/11, a great many people are willing to sacrifice freedom for temporary security - and in that arena, the New Orleans gun issue is surely one of the lesser such evils.

I've often talked to friends of mine who don't live in the US, and one common thread in our conversations is how they do not understand the sort of gun-mania we have here. We recently had the worst natural disaster in US history; thousands were killed, hundreds of thousands left homeless, and billions in damage that will take years (or even decades) to repair. And there were failures at every level - failures in the design of the levees, failures of FEMA to plan for this disaster, failure of state and local governments to implement their own emergency plans, failures of government employees to do their jobs. These MUST be addressed before another hurricane comes along and causes even more death and destruction; it is imperative to learn from our mistakes.

And yet some people's loudest criticisms of the government is that some residents could not keep their guns in the disaster area. I told a german woman about this a while back, and her jaw just fell open. I guess some americans have different priorities than much of the rest of the world.

[TheAnvil 0]

I won't be going there anytime soon.

Vinny the Anvil
Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL
JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

[tri160 1]

Actually removing a law abiding citizens only means of protection during a disaster like Katrina is completely different. You have not been able to legally carry a gun or large Knife in the cabin of an airliner for years. However you have been able to keep a gun in your house legally since this country was founded. Next time try comparing apples to apples.

[billvon 3,120]

> You have not been able to legally carry a gun or large Knife in the
>cabin of an airliner for years. However you have been able to keep a gun
>in your house legally since this country was founded.

The constitution does not make that distinction. It states nothing about residences vs. transportation when it comes to gun rights. You are arguing "well, we always did it that way" rather than "it's unconstitutional."

(BTW there have been 'gun free zones' for years as well.)

[tri160 1]

You're right . The constitution does not make that distinction. However the laws prohibiting weapons on planes were paased via the legislative process. Nagins actions were by an individuals order not the enforcement of an existing law. Once again compltetely different.

[Trent 0]

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And yet some people's loudest criticisms of the government is that some residents could not keep their guns in the disaster area. I told a german woman about this a while back, and her jaw just fell open. I guess some americans have different priorities than much of the rest of the world.

I am fully capable of being upset at more than one thing at a time... AND in varying degrees of upset.

Your analogy is lacking in that the brilliant mayor of NO actually went to people's houses to GET the guns. At airports, we're told not to bring them or they'll be taken. They are CLEARLY different scenarios.

I'm shocked that you're okay with a pretty apparent violation of the 2nd. Just as you think some people would worry more about the greater failings of government during Katrina... I'd have thought the mayor would have bigger things to worry about than legal gun owners keeping their only protection in a time of isolation.

So there.

Oh, hello again!

[billvon 3,120]

>I am fully capable of being upset at more than one thing at a time...
>AND in varying degrees of upset.

Very good! So am I.

> At airports, we're told not to bring them or they'll be taken.

I am shocked that you're okay with a pretty apparent violation of the second amendment!

Some people are capable of not only disagreeing with more than one thing at a time, but are also capable of disagreeing with things to varying degrees.

[warpedskydiver 0]

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>I was sure you could do better than that to defend Ray Nagin

Not defending Nagin. But of all the things to get mad about, disarming people within a national disaster area where criminal activity is rampant is surely one of the sillier ones.

Bill they weren't taking guns from CRIMINALS they were taking them from LAW ABIDING CITIZENS with RIGHTS

[Trent 0]

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I am shocked that you're okay with a pretty apparent violation of the second amendment!

Some people are capable of not only disagreeing with more than one thing at a time, but are also capable of disagreeing with things to varying degrees.

You KNOW the difference but SOME people are capable of disagreeing just because... well, just because. Personally, you already argue pretty well... there's no need for the silliness that you sometimes try to pull. You KNOW, Bill, YOU KNOW!!

Oh, hello again!

[billvon 3,120]

>Bill they weren't taking guns from CRIMINALS they were taking them
> from LAW ABIDING CITIZENS with RIGHTS

They take guns from LAW ABIDING CITIZENS with RIGHTS at airports, too. And they take a lot more than just guns, too!

It was a pretty silly move by Nagin. But in the grand scheme of things it's a lot less problematic than the problems caused by the various other mistakes that led to the massive death toll and the huge amount of destruction - mistakes made by Nagin, Blanco, Bush and Brown. A lack of guns didn't kill over a thousand people - but a lack of good levees sure played a role.

Moves like this are also explainable by exactly the same logic used to justify things like warrantless wiretaps, phone surveillance and imprisonment without trial - safety. It's a seductive bargain - safety for just a few minor rights - but is almost always a mistake, whether the person advocating the loss of rights is the president, a mayor, a governor or even a legislature.

[idrankwhat 0]

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>I was sure you could do better than that to defend Ray Nagin

Not defending Nagin. But of all the things to get mad about, disarming people within a national disaster area where criminal activity is rampant is surely one of the sillier ones.

Actually I'm not positive but I think he might have an argument through the eminent domain clause in the fifth amendment. All he needed to do was to compensate the gun owners for their guns and include interest, considering that he took the guns before the owners were compensated.
As an aside, I wonder if the people who are pissed that Nagin took guns during a time of crisis/disaster are just as pissed that the Patriot Act allows the Fed's to sneak into your house and take anything they want.