Maitri Venkat-Ramani of VatulBlog is using a new calendar: yesterday’s post was dated “Day 135″ after Katrina. She fled to Houston as the storm approached and will stay on there until the company she works for re-opens its New Orleans office. In the meantime, she has been taking trips to the Crescent City when she can to clean out her fridge, visit with friends, and document the changes across her hometown. She is anxious to hear more about the rebuilding effort.
New Orleanians will trickle back in during the months ahead. While it’s easy to label the current goings-on as the future face of New Orleans (understandably, what the brain desires at this point is pause), all we will see is change, change and more change. Be prepared for it.
Maitri Venkat-Ramani, blogger, VatulBlog
Indeed, we found New Orleanians elsewhere, on forums and other blogs, who have mixed feelings about starting over.
(The Commission’s Report) will challenge all of us to work in a positive and productive manner for a greater New Orleans. I think we are up for the challenge.
MaxWeber posting on nola.com
I just read the article “Proposal: Let residents decide” in the 12/19/05 Times Picayune. I was struck by how sophisticated racism can become when necessary. The Bring New Orleans Back Commission has come up with a plan that allows residence of N. O. to return to their homes but the neighborhoods have one year to revitalize or the areas will be taken over by the government.
This is appears to be a great plan. Let the residents decide. If they don’t return, the powers that be can always say, we gave you a chance”. The problem is no one can return to N. O. until there are jobs to be had or the prospects of jobs to be had. Nowhere do I see this part of the equation being addressed. My neighbors and I may be able to rebuild our homes but if we have no work, then why do so? Over 7,000 school teachers have been fired. Hospitals and hotels have been closed. There were limited jobs before the hurricane in N. O. fewer now. Did anyone notice. I bet they did!!! Racism is alive and well in N. O.
addiggs posting on nola.com
New Orleanians are writing about the physical toll of this ordeal. A search for “Katrina cough” turns up tens of thousands of hits.
Since returning to the area full time in November, I have developed the following: of course the Katrina cough, aches and pains in joints and ligaments, shortness of breath anytime I walk around the city, a runny nose, sneezing all the time, and a general lack of energy.
…
I’ve had the doc’s check me out, nothing they can find wrong with me and they know my history. When I asked if all this has something to do with the storm, I got a look that told me I might be the stupidest person in the world. Then of course the “you have to ask???? Okay, I can be slow but has anyone on the ground here really thought about what we are doing to ourselves? Are we slicing years off of our lives by making the choice to return New Orleans to greatness?
Dan Frazier posting on Metblogs New Orleans
My body aches from the last three months. You try and wash it off, wash it away, but it just won’t go away. I’ve noticed that even when I’m “relaxing” now, I’m not really relaxing. The leftovers of Katrina are on my mind and I can’t get rid of them.
Dan Frazier, blogger, New Orleans before and after
As a listener in Minnesota, I intend to forward this to everyone that I know with the hopes that they will listen to this and hear about the absolute failure of our government and the disgusting, unethical behavior of insurance agencies. I am so sad to hear that my worst fears are happening. After the disaster, I hoped that those responsible would do what was RIGHT. I hope Open Source does more shows on this and continues to follow through with further discussions. In Minnesota, the media isn’t covering this subject adequately and I am sure that there are similar problems across other regions outside of the South. I will definately be checking out the “little brother” watch website that the man from Dublin mentioned and making sure that the people in my life are aware of it. It’s the least I can do. I attended the New Orleans Jazz Festival and am said that our country is not protecting such a culturally important place in our country.