Eauxklaheaxma!!!!!

Where the wind goes sweeping through your brain!

Kevin and I just spent the last week and a half in the OK state helping folks affected by the ice storms there. 10 days after the storm there were still pockets of people without power so we were driving the Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle all over the northeast corner of the state delivering meals. And let me tell you, I almost didn't come back to New Orleans. I mean, despite the clear advantages that the Crescent City has in the areas of cuisine, music, art, nightlife, theater, weather, natural beauty, and (did I mention) cuisine, I am making plans to relocate to Muskogee as soon as possible. Beautiful roads in Eauxklaheauxma, just beautiful.

The people were very kind in the backwoods areas we went, and defended their territory well. Even going as far as to supposedly "whup" an electrical company worker who had invaded their neighborhood. Ahhh, such loyalty can't be found many places. So, if any of you were planning a visit, just adjust your tickets to Muskogee and I'll show you around a real town.

(yes Mr. Connick Jr., I do now know what it means to miss New Orleans. It's good to be back.)

Enough!

The signs are pretty simple. They are all around town and they all express the same message. People in New Orleans have had enough of the violence and murders in this city. The city is making national news with the increase in violence during the new year. A large rally was held outside of city hall last week to demand action by the mayor and the police chief. The chief of police in Jefferson Parish, which borders Orleans Parish, has purchased a couple of veritable tanks to monitor and crack down on crime.

Amongst all the talk of cracking down on crime and police responsibility there seems to be little discussion one major factor in all of this. Enough! is what protesters demand, in my opinion we should be saying Not Enough! Not enough mental health support. Megan and I met with some delegates from our alma mater, Hamline, recently and a Hamline alum was there who has lived in New Orleans for over 10 years. He believes the city to currently be at its lowest point post-Katrina. The excitement of returning and rebuilding is wearing off and the daunting future is all that is left. People are becoming depressed and desperate and it is starting to show in big ways.
There are lots of things this city needs to do to change its long history of violence, starting with a change in its long history of poverty and deplorable education. But right now the violence is extreme because the lives that people are living are extremely strained in this time of rebuilding. I just hope there can be a vision from someone to address the psychological needs along with the physical needs of New Orleanians, especially those in poverty.

Thank God the Saints won. It means more than I could have realized.