You must have posted this diary about the time I left to take my kid to Tipitinas for his 3 FREE hours of music instruction.  Of course, one more thing only available in NOLA.  I am also pissed about NN and the debate, but was out of town last week and I am just now catching up.  The decision makers must come out and be honest about the crime issue.  To be honest, I live in Metairie and prior to Katrina, I did not do much in the city, but now I go into the city all of the time and do not really feel threatened by the "crime".  After Katrina, we all got a different take on what to be fearful of, crime is low on the list.  Loosing NOLA is a real possibility and everyone in this country should be doing everything they can to help save the old girl, starting with conventions and tourism.  What the hell is wrong with you people?  What part of the ongoing Katrina tragedy do you not understand?