Guest Book

Bird, it looks as though I have to agree with you....ouch! This guy was, in a crowd of others with like skills, over his head. Maybe he could run for mayor of New Orleans. What I am about to say is going to be met with some venom, nevertheless here goes.... I have had the opportunity to listen to several displaced folks who are lifelong, long term residents of New Orleans, first hand, with my ears wide open. And what I have been able to observe from listening is this; many similarities between politics in New Orleans and Birmingham. A reference to draw from, if you will. Conclusions?: Over the years, New Orleans has elected mayor(s) who were able to win elections, not by the abilities to lead, or knowledge and education in matters dealing with planning, but simply by having the gift of gab. By playing the political cards well. By promising everything and delivering nothing. Now, in times where education, experience and leadership capabilities along with intelligence to know what questions to ask, this city leader floundered. Drowned in his own inabilities to comprehend the magnitude of the problem and lacking the judgement to understand priorities. How does this ineptitude affect the population? Hard to say at the moment. But the point is this: Hopefully in cities like New Orleans and others where certain potentials for massive disaster exists, the community will actually look at candidates education, credentials, and knowledge rather than their skin color or gender when they vote. What if an engineer had been mayor last week? Or a retired military officer? Or a physician or nurse? Think that would have made a difference? Most elected officials, are as we know, attorneys. Court room and lawsuit experiences do little to help in infrastructure crises situations. Perhaps in the future, New Orleans will actually learn something and elect city leaders with an ability to understand risks and be able to improve infrastructure by having the abilities to assess and plan, not by handshakes and kissing babies.