The other day I got an e-mail from Netroots Nation with their ideas for the Democratic platform and calling for suggestions. Below the fold is what I sent them last Friday.
Also, I'm recruiting diarists for the Katrina Blogathon which is scheduled for the 3-year anniversary of Katrina and the federal flood. Unlike previous Blogathons, this will last three days--Wed., Aug. 27-Fri., Aug. 29, 2008.
Here's the e-mail I sent:
To Netroots:
Please add to the Democratic platform the call for a "Marshall Plan" restoring New Orleans so the evacuees from there who wish to do so can return to affordable housing and enough medical services and schools for their needs, and the same for the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the rest of the areas devastated by Katrina and Rita. This is not just a small local issue--it's an area close to the size of the state of Minnesota.
It's almost 3 years after Katrina and the federal flood and it's unconscionable that not only has not enough been done, neither the Republicans nor progressives have even brought up this up. And while this is the sort of thing you'd expect from the GOP, it's surprising that folks who call themselves "progressives" and care about "people issues" seem to have forgotten New Orleans and her people.
If you think about it, several national issues you name have been amplified in post-flood New Orleans:
- The economy--Homelessness is a major problem in New Orleans because of the lack of affordable housing. Also, the federal flood drove many businesses that had been based in New Orleans to move to other cities, with the predictable impact on her economy.
- Civil Rights--To make a long story short, the people affected by the federal flood were of all races, ethnicities, and classes. However, the Bush Administration saw basically what the mainstream media depicted: poor blacks with whom they could not empathize. Who Rita Cosby and others in the mass media would refer to as "looting" when, when whites were depicted doing the same thing, they were described as taking things they needed for survival. The Bush Administration also saw in what was happening an opportunity to cleanse Louisiana of a large group of people who basically tend to vote Democratic.
- Healthcare--This is in extremely short supply in New Orleans. Were a new flood or major storm to hit the area, a human catastrophe could ensue.
- Energy and the Environment--The recent fuel oil spill on the Mississippi spotlighted this issue in New Orleans, but neither candidate nor the mainstream media has paid attention to what happened because they want to keep the focus on offshore drilling. But this could have long-range consequences for Louisiana and her wildlife. Also, her wetlands have been washing away at the rate of a football field every half hour.
- Education--New Orleans' schools are insufficient even for a city of her diminished size.
- Media and Communications--Regarding the mainstream news media, occasionally they don't tell the right story about New Orleans, but most the time they don't cover her at all. See examples under "Civil Rights" and "Energy and the Environment." It's as if most of the time they're practicing self-censorship regarding New Orleans because they've a vested interest in getting John McCain elected. It's time for Netroots and other progressives to demand that the Democratic Party bring New Orleans to the fore. I mean, think of it--Obama should air campaign ads reminding people of New Orleans by showing pictures of the federal flood and people being rescued, and of the devastation remaining in New Orleans 3 years later.
- National Security--Disaster preparation and response is a part of that, and should be seen as an important issue. Because what happened in New Orleans could happen where you live tomorrow.
- General Principles--Has the way the Bush Administration has abused New Orleans and Louisiana lived up to what you say about the American Dream?
I hope you will give adding a "Marshall Plan" for New Orleans and the Gulf Region to your platform. Because this is a serious domestic issue and Obama and the Democratic Party need to break their silence on it.
Sincerely,
Louisiana 1976
(louisiana1976@live.com)
Later, as often happens, I realized that under the press of time on the library computer, I hadn't said several things I'd wanted to say. So I sent this second e-mail:
To Netroots:
After I sent off my previous e-mail requesting the addition of a "Marshall Plan" for New Orleans to the Democrats' platform, I thought of some things I should have said, but didn't.
New Orleans' recovery needs to be taken up as a major cause and highlighted not only for the reasons I gave in my last e-mail, but because New Orleanians feel that the nation has moved on and forgotten them, which is psychologically devastating. Depression and suicide have gotten to be quite common in that city, and people have been giving up and dying. This is not just the elderly or chronically ill, but younger, relatively healthy people.
To make a long story short--the federal flood is not old news to the people of New Orleans, who even 3 years later are still living it as the media and the candidates ignore them.
I hope after you read this that you give serious consideration to calling for the addition of New Orleans' and her people's recovery to the Democratic platform.
Thanks so much,
Louisiana 1976
Brief personal update since my post on my personal problems: Things are starting (hopefully) to slowly look up. In fact, last week after I'd posted that diary, I made a cold call to our Park District and they've a part-time opening, so I went there and applied. While I'm not sure what my chances are (they're probably getting 100 or more applicants) wish me luck! Also, I got a "we can work it out" letter from my lender. And I've applied for a computer from a recycled electronics company called RetroTech. I'll keep you posted if there's anything new, whether good or bad.
Blogathon schedule-all times Pacific:
Wed.,Aug. 27
7AM
9AM
11AM
1PM mlharges
3PM neworleanslady68
5PM Nightprowlkitty
Thurs., Aug. 28
7AM
9AM
11AM Louisiana 1976
1PM
3PM
5PM Patriot Daily
Fri., Aug. 29
7AM My Mom Is My Hero
9AM Crashing Vor
11AM Louisiana 1976
1PM mlharges
3PM
5PM
Bear with me for this post's being something of a drive-by (though I will check in every so often to see if anyone's signed up.
Anything about Katrina, New Orleans, Louisiana, Mississippi, Rita, or any of the other states affected by those storms and flooding--even a good rant--will be welcome. To sign up, please request a date and time in the comments below or send an e-mail. Thanks for your support!