HumidCity

Well, as I perdicted a few posts ago the torrent of anit-NOLA sentiment is strating to really rear its head in the wake of the election. Now only a fool would say that there is no blame to lay at our own doorstep, there is plenty enough to go around. The thing that you just cannot understand until you’ve been here (and even then some people do not get it) is that this transcends partisian politics. It is a simple matter of what needs to get done.

The refrain is usually “corrupt Louisiana politics,” but I see very few talking about the corrupt Fedral politics that have exacerbated the situation from day one. When money is sent down here only to be eaten up by layer upon layer of subcontractors (can you say “No Bid contracts?”) with questionable Federal connections (shoot anyone lately, Dick?) it sounds more like the problem is in DC. Yes, we re-elected Nagin. In DC they re-elected a crack smoker for Mayor, does that sound localised to La.?

Greg Peters gives some great comments on his blog. Read the entire post over on his site, it is a rousig and neccessary call to action!
Suspect Device Blog: Get used to this.
For those out there who think NOLA/Louisiana bloggers have become “so negative”, try Instapundit and Malkin or Bendan Loy today (Be sure to check out the warm and fuzy comments on Loy’s post). This is what a good portion — perhaps a majority — of the rest of the country thinks of New Orleans. It started with yammering nobodies like Bay Buchanan, but they’re the point people: they say the outrageous first, and when no voices rise in protest, the mainstream feels free to lay on.

Well, we know know that Ray got it. I am very interested in your views on this. It is a day that will be remembered in history and I think its important to get peole’s opinions and thoughts while they are fresh, for posterity if nothing else.  I have just set up a discussion thread on our LiveJournal prescence for this very thing.
Join the Discussion: Humid City on LJ

Well, I’m offf to Sophie Wright to cast my ballot. Hope you’re getting set to do the same. This is an incredibly important election, not to mention an historic one, and everybody needs to participate. If you’re still on the fence or confused about where to go I advise taking a quick glance at my prior post on Voting Resources. I know it seems futile at times, but if you do not try you will never be able to effect change. Please, vote today!

My choices are as follows: Mayor: Landrieu, District A: Midura, District B: Head,District C: Booth, At Large: Fielkow,Clerk of Court: Varrecchio (I see that Gentilly Girl and I agree on all points here)
Vote Your conscience! Today determines the future of the city in a very real and tangible way!

This excerpt from Dangerblond’s site really gets it across. A long but brilliant Dear John letter from that aging southern belle, New Orleans, to her troubled mayor. If you get something out of the excerpt go read the whole thing on her page. Highly advised for before hitting the polls.

dangerblond.org » the blond truth: i still love you, ray

Ray, you made me look like a fool. In front of, well, everybody. Every lousy cab driver in America thinks I got exactly what I deserved for not having enough sense to keep my levees up. Now Douglas Brinkley has told the entire world what hotel you were in while Katrina was in town. I may never live this down, Ray, and you getting drunk and babbling about god and the chocolate city did not help matters. You know, you can leave here. You can get another job and leave all this behind you. But I have to stay here and face people, I don’t have a choice.

Here. Go look them up.

The following is important info (thanks to The New Orleans Network for providing it!) for all registered voters in New Orleans:

A Spattering of Voter Guides:
Some places to go for information about candidates and/or some folks’ notions of who should get your vote.

• League of Pissed Off Voters: http://indyvoter.org/voterguide.php?id=88
• Jeremiah Group Candidate Scorecard: click on May 20 at http://neworleansnetwork.org/?q=event/2006/05/18/month
• League of Women Voters: www.lwvno.org/ElectionGuide.html
• ACLU of Louisiana: www.laaclu.org/News/2006/aclu_publishes_votersMarch2006
• Nola.com (with endorsements from The Times-Picayune) www.nola.com/elections
• Gambit Weekly: www.bestofneworleans.com

Voting Tools
Louisiana Secretary of State elections page www.sec.state.la.us/elections/elections-index.htm#voting has lots of information about voting, including a polling place locater that will tell you where to go vote and generate a sample ballot
or
Call Louisiana Secretary of State Elections Division: 1.800.883.2805 (M-F 7am-7pm)

Some Basics:
Poll Hours: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Forms of ID: A generally accepted photo ID is strongly encouraged but not required at the polls. Voters who have no picture ID can bring a utility bill, payroll check or government document that includes their name and address. Voters presenting non-photo forms of ID will have to sign an affidavit furnished by the Elections Division in order to vote.

The Nagin Timeline, a catalog of errors. Advised reading for all voters. (You ARE voting aren’t you? It’s important) Thanks to Humid Haney for the link.