Emily Metzgar: Blogging for Common Sense

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135686222011-04-21T18:14:05.680-04:00Emily Metzgar: Blogging for Common Sense"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it." -George Bernard ShawEmily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comBlogger2491100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1149619992513500032006-06-06T14:50:00.000-04:002006-06-06T14:53:12.540-04:00New blog address

This blog has moved to my new website. Please check it out. Thanks! Emily

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1149198490405909542006-06-01T17:29:00.000-04:002006-06-01T17:53:43.856-04:00Press for ethics legislation

In a move likely to leave the rest of the nation shaking its head (people are indeed watching), the Louisiana legislature has killed a bill that would have banned the gruesome practice of cockfighting. But the legislature still has a chance to do something positive on another matter by allowing an up-or-down vote on HB 1236. HB 1236 is an ethics bill that would prohibit an "elected or

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1149039922927932192006-05-30T21:42:00.000-04:002006-05-30T21:45:22.946-04:00Cold, hard truth

This week's column considers the reality of Louisiana today and compares it to the business-as-usual approach of state leadership. As Winston Churchill once said, "The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is."

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1148478430462338992006-05-24T09:46:00.000-04:002006-05-24T09:47:10.490-04:00Health care reform?

This week's column laments a missed opportunity to tackle health care reform in Louisiana.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1147875019196995092006-05-17T10:06:00.000-04:002006-05-17T10:10:19.213-04:00Louisiana survey

This week's column analyzes the 2006 Louisiana Survey Link to column in Shreveport Times here. Link to survey info here. Column text copied here: "LSU released the 2006 Louisiana Survey last week. It offers the first comprehensive snapshot of public opinion in the state since last year’s devastating hurricane season. According to the survey, the mood of Louisiana has changed in the last 12

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1147262720235662782006-05-10T07:58:00.000-04:002006-05-10T08:27:27.753-04:00More prison horrors

This week's column comments on continued reports of inhumane conditions at Orleans Parish Prison as Hurricane Katrina came ashore. An earlier column commented on reports from adult prisoners about the horrors of OPP. Now it appears youth were also locked in cells as the flood waters rose. The Times Picayune reports today on these new details as does the New York Times. The new report was

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1146663733838721052006-05-03T09:34:00.000-04:002006-05-03T09:42:13.866-04:00Change is possible in NWLA

My column this week considers the draft report released last week by Project SB and written about the The Shreveport Times. The column concludes: "The positive changes foreseen and the potential recognized by Project SB are welcome reminders to Shreveport-Bossier City that it can, and indeed, deserves to do better. But simply acknowledging that fact won’t bring about the improvements Project

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1146064840924473942006-04-26T11:18:00.000-04:002006-04-26T14:51:14.896-04:00LA media in the spotlight

My column this week considers the performance of Louisiana's media with respect to investigative journalism. In particular, the column focuses on the need for journalism to operate as an independent check on power in a democracy.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1145474247232134932006-04-19T15:11:00.000-04:002006-04-19T15:17:27.256-04:00SHV's Volunteers for Youth Justice

This week's column focuses on Shreveport-based Volunteers for Youth Justice, an organization dedicated to serving youth in the juvenile court system in Northwest Louisiana. VYJ's annual awards dinner and fundraising event is scheduled for Friday, April 28 at Shreveport's new convention center. For more information about this event or to volunteer for VYJ call 318-425-4413.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1144848554596318552006-04-12T09:27:00.000-04:002006-04-12T09:29:14.620-04:00Poverty of ideas in Katrina's wake

My column this week considers the continuing problem of poverty in Louisiana. The column begins, "Donning his persona of supremely confident über-anchor, comedian Stephen Colbert questioned a guest on the set of his Comedy Central fake news commentary show last week. When his guest referred to poverty in New Orleans, Colbert feigned astonishment, explaining that he thought Hurricane Katrina had

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1144265151839281462006-04-05T15:24:00.000-04:002006-04-05T15:25:51.876-04:00Living with estimates

My column this week urges caution in the usage of estimates when planning. Why? Because by definition, estimates can change.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1143644090269761422006-03-29T09:50:00.000-05:002006-03-29T09:54:50.290-05:00Earning the title of "reformer"

My column this week suggests that the label "reformer" should only be granted when truly deserved. The point is this: "It’s easy for legislators of both parties to wrap themselves in partisan rhetoric and associated talking points, but it should be much more difficult for officials to earn the label “reformer.” Given Louisiana’s legacy of failed populism and the obvious socio-economic problems

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1143032152894806372006-03-22T07:54:00.000-05:002006-03-22T07:56:21.873-05:00The next legislative session

My column this week anticipates the legislative session beginning on March 27. No matter what happens, the nation will be watching.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1142438612253127152006-03-15T10:58:00.000-05:002006-03-15T11:03:32.310-05:00Louisiana's place in the basement

My column this week considers the recent Most Livable State rankings released by Morgan Quitno Press. Louisiana was ranked last. The column's last few lines make the point crystal clear: "Consider Louisiana’s ranking in this Most Livable State survey since 1991: 50th, 49th, 50th, 50th, 50th, 50th, 50th, 50th, 48th, 48th, 49th, 49th, 49th, 49th, 49th, and now, 50th. Business-as-usual obviously

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1141839024465495462006-03-08T12:24:00.000-05:002006-03-08T12:30:24.486-05:00Budget brouhaha

My column this week considers Governor Blanco's new $20.3 billion budget proposal.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1141400827900056282006-03-03T10:45:00.000-05:002006-03-03T10:47:32.956-05:00Revisiting indigent defense

My column this week considers the implications of the state legislature's recent request for federal assistance/money for the state public defender system.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1140618222881442662006-02-22T09:12:00.000-05:002006-02-22T09:23:43.126-05:00On taking a stand

My column for this week isn't yet online at the Shreveport Times. I'll add the link when it's available. Full text of today's column is copied below. “Where you stand depends on where you sit.” The truth of this old adage -- that your position on something is connected directly to what you’ve got invested in the situation as a whole – is once again on display in Louisiana as assessments of

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1140004341637531952006-02-15T06:47:00.000-05:002006-02-15T06:55:29.116-05:00Louisiana's leadership problem

My column this week discusses Louisiana leadership problems. It begins, "For too long, Louisiana’s political playground has been a fantasyland operating in a vacuum completely unaffected by what, in other contexts, would be a political force known as accountability. Leaders in this political fantasyland have consistently ignored the reality checks offered courtesy of national rankings where the

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1139402730475913652006-02-08T07:43:00.000-05:002006-02-08T07:45:30.593-05:00Louisiana's tolerance

This week's column compares Louisiana voters' tolerance for low levels of government accountability with that of Pennsylvania. Conclusion: Pennsylvania voters are far less tolerant of their government's antics.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1138804111987535922006-02-01T09:27:00.000-05:002006-02-01T09:30:53.246-05:00Needed but unlikely news

My column this week dreams about news Louisiana really needs to hear.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1138195676558115572006-01-25T08:24:00.000-05:002006-01-25T08:27:56.616-05:00Perverse incentives, predictable results

My column this week considers a fundamental tenet of public policy studies: perverse incentives yield dysfunctional results. This week's column considers how that seems to play out in Louisiana.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1137582173414311602006-01-18T05:59:00.000-05:002006-01-18T06:02:53.446-05:00Recovery not a given

My column this week considers Louisiana's ongoing need for a plan to recover from the 2005 hurricane season.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1137074672584984482006-01-12T09:02:00.000-05:002006-01-12T09:04:32.610-05:00Myths of Katrina

My column in yesterday's Shreveport Times (no link available) addressed many myths persisting in the months since Katrina & Rita. Full text copied below: Debunking the Myths of Katrina Several myths have surfaced in the months since Katrina and her aftermath devastated New Orleans and much of southeast Louisiana. It’s time to start debunking them before they become so deeply ingrained they

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1136379107567833362006-01-04T07:50:00.000-05:002006-01-04T07:51:47.596-05:00Special session now

My column today addresses the need for a special session -- and soon.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1135725822066861562005-12-27T18:21:00.000-05:002005-12-28T08:28:45.786-05:00Resolutions for 2006

My column this week in the Shreveport Times proposes resolutions for 2006. Link forthcoming. 2005 was a disastrous year for Louisiana. But 2006 will be a year of uncommon opportunity. Here are a few resolutions that might help convert Louisiana’s opportunity to reality: 1. Resolve to demand decisive leadership. Policy-by-commission isn’t it. 2. Resolve to question the state’s traditional media

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1135200752737339192005-12-21T16:30:00.000-05:002005-12-21T16:32:32.886-05:00Anatomy of a failure

My column this week pulls back from the who-did-what-when debate surrounding Katrina and looks at the big picture. For Louisiana, the story of Hurricane Katrina is a story of failure. But it’s not a failure of imagination. Disaster planning studies anticipated the aftermath of a strong storm. It’s not a failure to evacuate. Getting 1.2 million people out of harm’s way was no small feat. It’s

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1134529109226149312005-12-14T05:52:00.000-05:002005-12-14T07:01:08.013-05:00Hiding from reality

My column this week in the Shreveport Times considers the many reasons Louisiana may be having trouble maintaining sympathy for its post-hurricane plight.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1133957571408658132005-12-07T06:06:00.000-05:002005-12-07T07:13:34.096-05:00LA's document dump

My column this week (link forthcoming) comments on the recent release of more than 100,000 pages of documents detailing Louisiana's response before, during and after Katrina. Full text below:While news reports about last Friday’s Katrina-related document dump attribute the governor’s release of the papers to a desire to set the record straight – not to mention a Congressional investigation – the

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1133547379442536132005-12-02T13:09:00.000-05:002005-12-02T13:19:55.936-05:00It's FEMA's fault

Times Pic reports SecState Ater has recommended the elections in New Orleans be postponed. It already looks bad enough that Mardi Gras can somehow proceed in February while elections cannot. But now it’s apparently FEMA’s fault. Here's a line from the article:"Our job would have been a lot easier if FEMA had been more forthright and more forthcoming," Ater said.This helps explain why Mark Twain

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1133451534613714812005-12-01T10:18:00.000-05:002005-12-01T10:49:55.866-05:00The usual suspects

Let’s make one thing perfectly clear: The 2006 election for the position of Louisiana’s Secretary of State will tell the world everything it needs to know about whether the 2005 hurricane season changed anything about the way the state does business. Yesterday, acting Secretary of State Al Ater announced he wouldn’t run for the position. Fair enough. If the rumor mill is correct then Mr. Ater

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1133315270353131152005-11-29T20:42:00.000-05:002005-11-30T07:43:04.896-05:00Long time coming

My column this week considers the eerie similarities between a classic song and the political reality of post-hurricane Louisiana. Text of the column is copied below. Words to the Crosby, Stills and Nash song, "Long time gone" are here. The night before Katrina churned ashore, a Baton Rouge radio station played Crosby, Stills and Nash’s “Long time gone” a song with lyrics as eerily suited to the

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1133288942162428002005-11-29T12:55:00.000-05:002005-11-29T13:34:20.306-05:00Abdication of fiscal responsibility

Today's Advocate has a piece that should have appeared during the special legislative session. The article focuses on where budget cuts actually came from versus where they should have come from. Of particular note is the budget-cutting inaction of the senate in post-hurricane Louisiana: Nearly half the 39 senators are now on record against cutting their own budget in bad fiscal times. That's

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1132758465023609342005-11-23T08:42:00.000-05:002005-11-23T22:21:26.703-05:00Difference of opinion

Funny how different people can watch the same events and come to such different conclusions: Yesterday's Times Pic editorial on the special legislative session. Today's Times Pic report on the special legislative session. Today's Shreveport Times on the special legislative session. John Maginnis on the special legislative session. My column on the special legislative session:Is it possible

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1132282197342029622005-11-18T08:41:00.000-05:002005-11-18T10:17:03.876-05:00Louisiana's shame

Images of her makeshift roadside grave were emblematic of government neglect in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. But why is it a British newspaper following up on the heartbreaking story of Vera Smith who lay dead on the side of a NOLA road for days? May Miss Vera finally rest in peace and may her death inspire those who seek a better future for the people of Louisiana.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1132140369185276592005-11-16T05:11:00.000-05:002005-11-16T22:00:09.586-05:00History haunts

My column this week considers the context of Louisiana's post-hurricane troubles. The column is a litany of opportunities missed by the state in recent years. Encouraging signs from the legislature in the last 24 hours notwithstanding (budget cuts, controls for NOLA schools) the column is a reminder that the current crisis was a long time in the making: Amid statewide coverage of Louisiana’s

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1131897798582689972005-11-13T09:44:00.000-05:002005-11-13T11:04:08.733-05:00Trickle of returnees

The New York Times today reports on the slow return of evacuees to New Orleans and surrounding areas. The picture is rather bleak:The city had 460,000 residents before the hurricane, but with many neighborhoods uninhabitable, some officials speculate that there are no more than 100,000 people now.More measures of a less-than-quick repopulation of NOLA:The local power company, Entergy New Orleans

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1131715152748469042005-11-11T07:05:00.000-05:002005-11-11T08:21:13.983-05:00LA politics on display

There's another broad-ranging article about Louisiana politics in another major national newspaper. Today it's The New York Times with an article titled "In Louisiana, Old Rivalries Resurfacing on Storm Aid." This article doesn't have the same negative undertones of yesterday's piece in the Washington Post, but it does hint at the hurdles facing Louisiana's efforts to move beyond the 2005

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1131645291864263642005-11-10T23:39:00.000-05:002005-11-10T13:00:33.466-05:00It's not about NOLA

Lots of buzz about today's WaPo article titled Burdens of Past Limit New Orleans's Future. It's an important article and not just because it discusses New Orleans. It's a front page story in the Washington Post. Doesn't get much higher profile than that. The headline means little. This is more than a story about New Orleans. It's about Louisiana. First item: LA as money pit: "Always broke. Worst

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1131539416132564852005-11-09T06:16:00.000-05:002005-11-09T07:37:31.460-05:00U.S. Consitution still in effect

My column today comments on HB 28 currently under consideration in the Louisiana legislature. The bill calls for limiting “liability of law enforcement agencies to prison detainees during emergencies and disasters.” The bill was passed out of committee on Tuesday morning with little discussion, although an amendment limiting language to ensure it applies only to Katrina and Rita-related events

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1131460733082641092005-11-08T08:30:00.000-05:002005-11-08T10:15:42.783-05:00Fuzzy math

Today’s Advocate has an article including comments from lawmakers and appointees about the need to cut spending and the struggles that lie ahead as those cuts are made. A few lines toward the end caught my attention:Renee Free, first assistant to Secretary of State Al Ater, said she's been told to prepare for a 12 percent cut. Such a cut would close museums, furlough 10 to 12 employees and force

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1131370152510950432005-11-07T07:21:00.000-05:002005-11-07T08:29:12.526-05:00From rhetoric to action

Quick thoughts on the opening of the special session: It's easy to deliver a speech promising leadership, fiscal control and reputational improvement. But it's quite another to deliver on it. The next 17 days will determine whether there's any daylight between rhetorical flourishes and political realities. Things to watch: State officials allowed to profit from recovery contracts? No way.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1130938531166189362005-11-02T07:30:00.000-05:002005-11-02T08:38:16.456-05:00The Advocate weighs in

Kudos to the Advocate for running an editorial by one of its staff writers highly critical of the administration's handling of the bond commission vote. Michlle Millhollon writes, "Gov. Kathleen Blanco says she wants the federal government to help fund hurricane rebuilding. But she seems to be undermining her own case."She continues, "[Commissioner of Administration Jerry Luke]LeBlanc's railed

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1130937447276640412005-11-02T07:15:00.000-05:002005-11-02T08:19:21.886-05:00Electoral consequences

My column this week considers the consequences of efforts to chance election regulations in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The column begins: Indications are that many who fled Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Katrina just aren't coming back. But that hasn't stopped members of the U.S. House and Senate from proposing legislation that would allow evacuees to vote absentee in Louisiana

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1130682417271607862005-10-30T09:01:00.000-05:002005-10-30T09:26:57.360-05:00Mixed messages

It's been a period of mixed messages from Louisiana. None of it will help the state in its efforts at reputation rehab. First, the state requests $250 billion in federal monies for post-hurricane recovery. Then the state bond commission votes to spend tens of millions of dollars on ill-advised pet projects. Then the governor invites the president to address the upcoming special session of the

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1130327834853022072005-10-26T06:46:00.000-05:002005-10-26T06:57:14.860-05:00Self-sabotaging behavior

My column this week discusses last week's absurd bond commission vote and that vote's negative impact on Louisiana's reputation. The column begins:Louisiana's leadership is disappointed to discover the state still has a lingering reputation for improper spending of public monies. That reputation belongs to the past, leaders insist, because it's a new day in Louisiana.The column concludes:When the

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1130250060857163552005-10-25T09:16:00.000-05:002005-10-25T09:21:00.870-05:00That will help

Amidst all the criticism of Louisiana's post-hurricane performance, the state is now delaying its delivery of requested documents to congressional investigators. No doubt that will help the state with its efforts at reputation rehabilitation in Washington.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1130160073452985812005-10-24T08:12:00.000-05:002005-10-24T08:23:05.900-05:00Actions have consequences

Kudos to the Times Picayune which today slams the state bond commission for its antics last week. The editorial states: Louisiana's finances, in short, are in horrific shape. And in these difficult times, members of the Bond Commission, which is supposed to prevent reckless spending of public money, have completely taken leave of their senses. My only concern with this editorial is its

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1129897420685324932005-10-21T06:51:00.000-05:002005-10-21T07:31:15.520-05:00"New day" not yet here

Further proof that Louisiana’s “new day” has yet to arrive: Yesterday’s state bond commission vote to conduct business as usual, funding 73 new projects. An article in today’s Times-Pic quotes Commissioner of Administration Jerry Luke LeBlanc in defense of the vote: “You cannot ignore the rest of the state when you deal with those parts of the state that are incapacitated.” But you can’t ignore

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1129818876209182862005-10-20T09:17:00.000-05:002005-10-20T11:43:45.396-05:00Perception is still reality

All this righteous indignation about Idaho Senator Larry Craig's negative opinion of Louisiana government and politics misses the point: Perception is still reality. Senator Craig stated his opinion bluntly and it hurt Louisiana's feelings. But let's be honest: Senator Craig probably isn't the only lawmaker in Washington with a dim view of Louisiana's ability to handle this fiscal and social

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1129723415224175102005-10-19T06:36:00.000-05:002005-10-19T12:37:02.516-05:00Locked in limbo

My column this week discusses the continued plight of prisoners displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Human Rights Watch press release from October 14 documenting the issue here. The testimony, compiled by HRW, of several evacuated prisoners here. Link to column here, but the Shreveport Times website is slow this morning, so full text of column below: Emily Metzgar Locked in limbo It’s been more

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1129643951418280522005-10-18T08:25:00.000-05:002005-10-18T09:12:47.083-05:00Formal redevelopment begins

Yesterday, Governor Blanco announced the establishment of the Louisiana Recovery Authority. Speaking of the LRA, Blanco said: It will be a unified voice with the single focus on rebuilding. It will show the nation that we can work across all of the old boundaries that once kept us apart.That's a giant task, but it's an important one for state leadership to undertake as evidenced by today's report

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1129556806026372592005-10-17T08:40:00.000-05:002005-10-17T08:46:46.040-05:00Future of NOLA

Robert Novak weighs in this morning on Louisiana's recovery efforts. He doesn't have many positive things to say about Louisiana as he sets the scene for the future of New Orleans' business redevelopment: Among Novak's comments: "Nagin is described by business leaders as overwhelmed." "Gov. Kathleen Blanco is seen as a total embarrassment." "The state's two senators, Democrat Mary Landrieu

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1129477477444765192005-10-16T10:36:00.000-05:002005-10-16T10:53:01.920-05:00Wanted: Leadership

Today’s Advocate has an important editorial titled “Good Advice from Giuliani.” The piece urges Governor Blanco and Mayor Nagin to begin working from the same playbook, something that obviously hasn’t been happening. Although the editorial’s primary point seems to be that the governor and the mayor need to learn to play nicely together, there are some less explicit points in the piece worth

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1129390143157548302005-10-15T10:17:00.000-05:002005-10-15T10:29:03.190-05:00Louisiana Works

A new website operated by Louisiana's Department of Labor is up and running, although not all links are active yet. The website's called Louisiana Works and it's an all-purpose clearinghouse for information on labor-related topics in Louisiana. The site also includes helpful links to still-relevant hurricane disaster relief information. Looks like a good resource and a great example of

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1129292569767158532005-10-14T06:49:00.000-05:002005-10-15T08:22:41.443-05:00Louisiana's new politics?

Today's Washinton Post has an article about how the hurricane-forced displacement of more than 400,000 Louisianans will impact the state's politics. The potential long-term (perhaps even permanent) displacement of the state Democratic party's margin of victory suggests Louisiana politics may never be the same. Indeed, the WaPo writes,In political circles last month, "there was talk that the

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1129114663526427642005-10-12T05:34:00.000-05:002005-10-12T05:57:43.536-05:00Prison outrage

My column today focuses on recent statements from Human Rights Watch about the alleged abandonment of more than 600 prisoners at Orleans Parish Prison as Katrina churned ashore. There are reports that now, 6 weeks after the storm, more than one hundred prisoners are still unaccounted for. If the allegations are true -- and there's no reason to believe they're not -- then Louisiana is likely

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1129115511948255002005-10-12T05:11:00.000-05:002005-10-12T06:15:52.473-05:00Today's column

The Shreveport Times website is a bit lethargic this morning. My column for today is copied belowEmily Metzgar: Concern grows about prison evacuation efforts October 12, 2005 State media really hasn't noticed and Louisiana's political establishment doesn't particularly want it highlighted, but there's growing concern about alleged events at Orleans Parish Prison as Hurricane Katrina came

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1129074975936973062005-10-11T18:47:00.000-05:002005-10-11T19:01:03.830-05:00More Katrina tragedies

From a press release for an event scheduled for tomorrow morning CONTACT: Tamika Midddleton, 504-813-4714; Xochitl Bervera, 504-606-8846 FAMILY MEMBERS AND PRISONERS SHARE NIGHTMARE AFTER KATRINA Broad Coalition Calls for Independent Investigation of OPP Evacuation, Amnesty and Real Public Safety Models for New Orleans WHAT: A JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE called by Critical Resistance, Families &

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1129033120724661382005-10-11T07:08:00.000-05:002005-10-11T07:31:17.540-05:00Quickly & dramatically?

Today's Advocate reports the governor's chief of staff, Andy Kopplin, spoke to state lawmakers and the Baton Rouge press club yesterday. Replying to criticism about the administration's post-hurricane response, Kopplin assured the audience: You will see substantive leadership on the part of the state... We are making progress. Action is coming quickly and dramatically. You will see it.A few

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1128998708683445092005-10-10T21:37:00.000-05:002005-10-10T21:45:08.696-05:00NBC looks at Louisiana

For those unable to see the video, what follows is the transcript of a short piece that aired on NBC Nightly News on Saturday, October 8, 2005. Anyone who's been following events since Katrina will see there is little new. Still, having this information broadcast worldwide won't help Louisiana in its ongoing efforts at reputation rehab. It also serves as a reminder of the many still unanswered

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1128948767692758132005-10-10T07:49:00.000-05:002005-10-10T07:58:48.600-05:00A dreadful idea

The Times Picayune has weighed in on NOLA Mayor Nagin's proposal that casino gambling be expanded in the city to help spur its regrowth. The Times-Pic rightly calls this "a dreadful idea." Mayor Ray Nagin's vision of a downtown casino district running along the city's prime business corridor and one of its most-storied streets is a dreadful idea. This is not what the new New Orleans should be.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1128864166878324232005-10-09T08:19:00.000-05:002005-10-09T08:23:31.373-05:00Louisiana in depth

A couple of good, in-depth pieces in today's papers about Louisiana in general and New Orleans in particular. Both articles are worth reading through: New York Times: Wading Toward Home Washington Post: The Slow Drowning of New Orleans

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1128711605933452322005-10-07T13:35:00.000-05:002005-10-07T14:03:08.763-05:00Mississippi: Not Louisiana

Just glancing at this interview with Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi, it's clear that his state's approach to government, entitlement and recovery is entirely different from that of Louisiana. Compare Gov. Barbour's statements and media coverage of Mississippi to the news from Louisiana in recent weeks ($250 billion legislative request; delayed scheduling of special state legislative

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1128692815881860422005-10-07T08:32:00.000-05:002005-10-07T08:46:55.890-05:00Louisiana's loss

Around the country, Louisiana's hurricane evacuees are putting down new roots and leaving Louisiana behind. A few stories from recent papers: St. Petersburg Times, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Rocky Mountain News. Their departure is Louisiana's loss.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1128538199397645082005-10-05T13:47:00.000-05:002005-10-07T14:13:50.850-05:00Update from FFLIC

From Families & Friends of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children: Friends and Allies: We owe you all an update and we'll get it out just as soon as we can. The short of it for those who dont know is that FFLIC quickly relocated to Lake Charles/Sulphur after Katrina hit in order to continue with the work we felt we needed to do. When Rita came along, we all had to evacuate again. Our staff is

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1128516117642774462005-10-05T07:39:00.000-05:002005-10-05T07:41:57.650-05:00Recovering from crisis

My column today borrows a page from Thomas Kuhn's famous book, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. The point is that Louisiana can recover from the current crisis with original thinking and a new approach to doing business.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1128437804047587462005-10-04T09:22:00.000-05:002005-10-04T12:08:34.126-05:00Consequences

News reports are beginning to reflect the magnitude of the reality check Louisiana now faces. None of the following is really new aside from the hurricane context: The NYT reports Louisiana may lose population and a congressional seat as a result of Katrina and Rita. But as the state demographer quoted in the article acknowledges, "We have not shown a positive net migration in many years." The

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1128275885751824972005-10-02T12:42:00.000-05:002005-10-02T13:00:56.626-05:00Louisiana matters

Yesterday, Senator Mary Landrieu responded to last week's Washington Post editorial with a written op-ed explaining why Louisiana matters. Obviously it was necessary for the state to respond in some fashion to that newspaper's scathing editorial -- regardless of the many truths buried within it. But Landrieu's response is to highlight all the important things Louisiana does for the country --

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1128189155901103802005-10-01T12:41:00.000-05:002005-10-01T12:52:35.910-05:00On aiming higher

Today the New York Times has an article about Louisiana's checkered political history having a negative impact on the state's post-hurricane future -- particularly on national perceptions about the state's ability to properly handle the influx of aid dollars. The article notes: John Maginnis, a journalist, author and editor of a statewide political newsletter, said that Louisiana's reputation

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1128083554086149392005-09-30T07:29:00.000-05:002005-09-30T07:32:34.096-05:00Ineffective government

Consistent with the themes in my column earlier this week, today's Wall Street Journal has an op-ed about the failures of government. Although the piece is focused primarily on federal-level failures, it would be a tremendous mistake for Louisiana not to take heed. An excerpt from the WSJ: Most of the time we are numb to government inefficiency (though some, like those who blamed FEMA's

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1127999115970048222005-09-29T08:46:00.000-05:002005-09-29T08:48:51.876-05:00Authority v. responsibility

In today's Wall Street Journal, columnist Peggy Noonan discusses the difference between authority and responsibility. For Louisiana readers of that piece, there are important lessons to be learned: News reports and common media wisdom this week suggested Katrina was actually a smaller story than we thought--fewer dead than had been feared, more hype than was helpful. But to me the impact of

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1127911596046646512005-09-28T07:21:00.000-05:002005-09-28T07:46:36.096-05:00DC hearings

Yesterday, former FEMA director Mike Brown testified in front of a U.S. Senate committee about FEMA's response to Katrina. Today it's Governor Blanco's turn. Calling Louisiana "dysfunctional," Brown yesterday laid the blame for the Katrina debacle with Governor Blanco and Mayor Nagin saying, "I very strongly personally regret that I was unable to persuade Gov. Blanco and Mayor Nagin to sit down

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1127904997636376922005-09-28T05:52:00.000-05:002005-09-28T05:57:35.396-05:00Stating the obvious

My column today focuses on what Katrina showed the world about Louisiana. It begins: Thanks to Katrina, the world now knows a great deal about Louisiana’s troubled public policy environment. The issues are easily summarized: poverty and ineffective government. These issues raise many questions, but the most important one isn’t where was FEMA or where was the state response or who was at fault.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1127873885635364012005-09-27T21:11:00.000-05:002005-09-27T21:20:11.150-05:00Reflection

A friend reflects on the events of recent weeks: For the past month we, of the great city of New Orleans, have been displaced, misplaced, shuffled around, bewildered and betrayed. Our family and friends have been flung to the far reaches of our nation, uprooted by devastation, destruction and despair. We have faced the unthinkable, looked into the abyss and seen what noone should have to witness

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1127873302894121682005-09-27T21:05:00.000-05:002005-09-27T21:09:26.390-05:00VOA in Louisiana

This update on Volunteers of America operations in Louisiana: Lake Charles Services This email from Volunteers of America Baton Rouge with programs in Lake Charles. She writes: "We can't get into Lake Charles till Oct 3. We are on the south side though. Not good. Everyone got out and clients and staff are in apts." Keep them in your prayers and we will keep you updated on their struggles.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1127821053257754212005-09-27T06:31:00.000-05:002005-09-27T06:37:33.266-05:00Hurricane in a vacuum?

Katrina and Rita didn't occur in a political vacuum, as this editorial from the Washingon Post makes clear. The Post has some harsh words for the Louisiana Congressional delegation's request for funds. Here's an excerpt: Like looters who seize six televisions when their homes have room for only two, the Louisiana legislators are out to grab more federal cash than they could possibly spend

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1127781879470793452005-09-26T19:42:00.000-05:002005-09-26T19:45:27.716-05:00VOA in North Louisiana

News from Volunteers of America in North Louisiana: Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans evacuees As you may recall, Yuleton Mendoza, his wife Casey, son Devon and four Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans clients have been with us now since they evacuated the Saturday prior to Katrina making landfall. We first found out about them when they were all crowded into the only room they

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1127751568352302382005-09-26T11:14:00.000-05:002005-09-26T11:25:07.500-05:00Report from Jennings

A friend reports in from Jennings, LA a town in Rita's path. In Jennings. Total darkness everywhere except... WalMart of course. Say what you may about it, but it has provided comfort to thousands since Rita hit. People like me. I have been here since 6am... and I was about the 300th person in line. They have the only lights in town. Anyhow, everyone is in total darkness and it is hot. Trees and

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1127741737706057152005-09-26T08:28:00.000-05:002005-09-26T08:36:42.030-05:00The reputation haunts

Today's Wall Street Journal has a damning commentary about Louisiana's history of corruption, this time focused on Aaron Broussard and his bizarre performance on Meet the Press last week and his repeat performance yesterday. But that's just the lead-in to discussing Louisiana politics: No state turns out better demagogues than Louisiana--the state that Huey Long ruled with an near-fascistic

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1127685293304447542005-09-25T16:42:00.000-05:002005-09-25T16:54:53.310-05:00Drying out

The sun is shining today in Louisiana. It reminds me of a line from a song in the movie soundtrack of "O Brother Where Art Thou?" called Keep on the Sunny Side, sung by The Whites: Though the storm and its furies rage today Crushing hope that we cherish so dear The cloud and storm will in time pass away And the sun again will shine bright and clear

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1127484885338117172005-09-23T09:05:00.000-05:002005-09-23T09:14:45.346-05:00All the king's men

There's an extraordinary op-ed in today's WSJ (unfortunately hidden behind subscription log-in) titled, "All the King's Men Cannot Save New Orleans," by Daniel Henninger, deputy op-ed page editor at the Journal. It's an eloquent condemnation of Louisiana's way of doing business (and many other things). Two paragraphs deserve particular attention: "What is New Orleans today? It is the

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1127355122694658312005-09-21T21:03:00.000-05:002005-09-21T21:12:02.703-05:00FFLIC

This message is from Friends & Families of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children. The following includes a call for volunteers, reports of problems post-Katrina and information about making donations to the organization. --- ...Thanks to you all First, of all we want to say thank you to all of you who have supported, donated, and volunteered. We cannot express fully enough how much your

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1127297985886795472005-09-21T05:14:00.000-05:002005-09-21T05:21:10.546-05:00Katrina's opportunities

My column today considers the opportunities Katrina presents Louisiana. The column begins: "Moving beyond Katrina must be about more than rebuilding structures. It must be about acknowledging reality. Louisiana has a chance to change its future..." It continues, "Corrupt or ineffective leadership has consequences..." It concludes, "...if Katrina can't force a change in Louisiana's politics,

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1127236848640525502005-09-20T11:53:00.000-05:002005-09-20T12:26:50.006-05:00Credit & blame

Last week's Time Magazine (dated 09/19/05) had an article focusing on the breakdown of government at several levels in the immediate post-Katrina environment. Under the header "The Governor: Did Kathleen Babineaux Blanco make every effort to get federal help?" comes this paragraph: "...Further tangling the post-Katrina disaster effort was a struggle for power. On the Friday after the hurricane,

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1127217038610485832005-09-20T06:43:00.000-05:002005-09-20T06:50:38.616-05:00Raising issues

Congratulations to USA Today for publishing a letter to the editor reflecting sentiments as yet unseen in Louisiana publications. Written by a lifelong resident of Louisiana, the letter raises issues some in the state might rather leave unraised: "...Our politicians' inept handling of the Hurricane Katrina crisis is one more embarrassment: "How can New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin look any of his

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1127136403576322202005-09-19T08:19:00.000-05:002005-09-19T08:36:22.936-05:00As if nothing happened

Today's article by John Hill is stunning for its neglect of Louisiana realities broadcast worldwide in recent weeks. One line says, "Looking back, Blanco said she would never have depended on FEMA and faults her state team for having 'a false sense of confidence' that the federal agency would respond rapidly to the national emergency." Is anyone else disturbed that this approach offers no hint

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1127091871732507942005-09-19T07:42:00.000-05:002005-09-19T07:49:34.063-05:00Not Katrina

Cool pix but not Katrina. (Thanks Josh!) More about this widely-circulated misinformation here.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1127065095134789152005-09-18T12:15:00.000-05:002005-09-18T12:38:15.216-05:00The fading spotlight

As predicted, national media interest in Katrina-related issues is waning. In today's major papers, although there is no shortage of attention to news about evacuees and their new circumstances or to the communities that continue to give what they have to those displaced by the storm, the attention of the nation's op-ed writers, at least, is fading fast. Senate hearings about Judge John Roberts

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1126973018993147192005-09-17T10:53:00.000-05:002005-09-17T11:03:39.000-05:00Private sector heroes

John Tierney in the NYT writes about the heroic efforts of Louisiana's Acadian Ambulance in New Orleans in the days following the storm. Tierney also documents evidence of the incredible federal bureaucracy that limited this private company's ability to help even more than it did. But the best line is this: "As the Acadian workers demonstrated, coping with a disaster requires the ability to

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1126971185034934292005-09-17T10:32:00.000-05:002005-09-17T10:33:05.410-05:00More Katrina impact

The Southern Povery Law Center in Montgomery, Alabama has a report about Katrina's impact on several SPLC-funded projects. Among them is the Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana, an organization that has played an integral role in this state's continuing juvenile justice reform process. A couple of earlier Katrina-oriented posts on this blog concern issues related to JJPL's work: Prisoners &

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1126907642898531132005-09-16T16:28:00.000-05:002005-09-16T16:55:11.236-05:00Katrina & LA newspapers

Communications lawyer and media expert Terry Maguire is leading a blog effort devoted to tracking how Louisiana media, newspapers in particular, are following the continuing Katrina story. The story topping the Katrina and Louisiana Newspapers blog right now is titled "OFF MESSAGE: Hello, Goodbye." It's an excellent illustration of why Maguire's project is an important one: The national media's

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1126906077612830912005-09-16T16:17:00.000-05:002005-09-16T16:57:42.716-05:00Poverty is the issue

It's clear the issue of poverty cannot be separated from discussion of Katrina fallout. Here's an op-ed in the Dallas Morning News written by two of my colleagues at LSU's Manship School. They make it very clear that poverty IS the issue. [FYI -- try www.bugmenot.com to avoid having to register for every newspaper website you try to access.]

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1126823165887589422005-09-15T17:19:00.000-05:002005-09-15T17:26:05.893-05:00Stages of denial

In yesterday's Wall Street Journal, former GE CEO Jack Welch wrote about the stages of leadership denial in crisis. Much of his piece will sound familiar to those following post-Katrina political fallout: "...Hurricane Katrina is practically a case study of the five stages people seem to have to go through during severe crises..." "...contrary to the sound and fury out there right now, the

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1126743340688179052005-09-14T19:06:00.000-05:002005-09-14T19:22:56.216-05:00Tough talk

The Governor has just completed her address to the joint legislative session. Some immediate reactions: Taking a page from the president’s handbook, Gov. Blanco acknowledged failures at every level of government, promising that the buck stops with her, thus taking responsibility for state-level failures. This is tough talk from the governor whose original reaction to the crisis was

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1126724777992519952005-09-14T14:05:00.000-05:002005-09-14T14:07:03.176-05:00Beware the spin machines

My column today discusses the subject of "spin" in the post-Katrina world. There's already a lot of spin out there and no doubt more to come.

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1126635559089242712005-09-13T13:13:00.000-05:002005-09-13T13:19:19.096-05:00Consequences of bad government

From the "bad government has consequences" file here's an opinion piece about whether to re-build New Orleans. It offers some harsh realities for Louisiana concerning the state's poor economic track record, statewide out-migration concerns and the state's failed "business as usual" approach to government. Here are a few highlights: "...Yes, we could spend whatever it takes trying to re-create

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1126573278969093932005-09-12T19:50:00.000-05:002005-09-12T20:08:51.560-05:00Prisoners & Katrina

From Families and Friends of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children (FLIC) comes information about locating children or adults who were in prison in the areas affected by Katrina: -- If you had a family member locked up in Orleans Parish Prison (OPP) or Jefferson Parish Detention Center when Katrina hit, call the DOC hotline at (225) 342-3998 or (225) 342-5935 to locate where your loved one is now

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1126546257769328912005-09-12T12:28:00.000-05:002005-09-12T12:30:57.776-05:00What still isn't happening

A friend forwards this list of needs still unmet by those agencies, organizations and others that are supposed to be providing assistance post-Katrina: --- Most people that were not directly affected by the Katrina disaster don't seem to understand what the situation is of those who were/are. Some suggestions: 1. We are constantly asked for contact information. Unlike storms in other states,

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1126448942479676072005-09-11T09:17:00.000-05:002005-09-11T09:29:02.483-05:00Politicking blame

Fred Barnes in The Weekly Standard discusses partisan response to Katrina. Among his comments: "...There's a good test of whether criticism of Bush is purely partisan: If the accuser also directs blame at Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco, who froze in reaction to Katrina, and New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin, so overwhelmed by the hurricane that he didn't carry out the city's emergency plan, then

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13568622.post-1126440650537486412005-09-11T07:03:00.000-05:002005-09-11T07:10:50.543-05:00Unsafe LA?

Here's a link to rather confused report about a Forbes.com ranking of safe cities, where safe is defined in terms likelihood (or lack thereof) of experiencing a natural disaster. Monroe, LA is ranked as the nation's least safe location. Shreveport-Bossier comes in as the 10th least safe. Forbes.com notes, "dramatic and damaging weather events are a major reason why the bottom of our list--the

Emily Metzgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307905603011150357noreply@blogger.com