Sam Portera on "Katrina Fatigue"

[agGNOME]

Just to expand on what Sam said.... the situation is complex. Joe, I believe any sensible person would agree with the sentiment of being self-sufficient. Yeah, there are way too many people milking the scenario for what they see as opportunity.
But, some of the obstacles to recovery are not people waiting on government assistance, rather waiting for government (federal & local) to get out of the damn way. In other words, government bureaucracy and ass dragging is preventing many from rebuilding because... only until recently were they given authoritative permission or guidelines to do so.
Beyond government if you are rebuilding you're likely on a waiting list of private contractors; many of which are screwing people by asking for deposits and not fulfilling their obligations. Move on to another company because you've been waiting for several months longer than promised and you lose your deposit. Not everyone is handy as an electrician, mason, carpenter, roofer, etc. Those that are have likely finished rebuilding months ago.
-The affordability of housing in relation to the job market is another barrier.
-Insurance companies as anyone can attest are a huge pain in the ass. You're paying for a service they don't want to provide.
-Services we take for granted such as mail, and electricity were largely unavailable to many areas.
The cycle goes round and round...

 

[firecracker]

...you are getting a small snap shot of the misery.

What you have said here, this little line, makes me see the full picture of the scene in the aftermath of the hurricane disaster.

 

[firecracker]

What you have said here, this little line, makes me see the full picture of the scene in the aftermath of the hurricane disaster.

I forgot to add: That picture will stay with me besides my memory of visiting New Orleans 15 years ago.

 

[Digidurst]

I heard on the news that the Nat'l Guard was going to be deployed in NOLA to help curb rising violence. It made me think of you, Sam, and everyone else dealing with the current state of affairs. Maybe I'm crazy but my husband has some vacation time coming. We were thinking of going to Charleston but my heart says go to NOLA. We are (relatively) young and able-bodied. Maybe we could lend some assistance as well as enjoy the Quarter for a few days. I read that perhaps our tourist dollars would be helpful - is that true or just some hype created by a tourism site?

I would appreciate the advice of those of you who reside in NOLA. Should we come or would our presence be more burden than good? Thanks in advance and besides my questions, please do let all of us concerned APUGers know how you are.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Suffering from Brangelina and Britney fatigue here.

Keep the pictures coming Sam. You're doing important work.

 

[anyte]

Suffering from Brangelina and Britney fatigue here.

Keep the pictures coming Sam. You're doing important work.

I'll second that.

 

[k_jupiter]

I heard on the news that the Nat'l Guard was going to be deployed in NOLA to help curb rising violence. It made me think of you, Sam, and everyone else dealing with the current state of affairs. Maybe I'm crazy but my husband has some vacation time coming. We were thinking of going to Charleston but my heart says go to NOLA. We are (relatively) young and able-bodied. Maybe we could lend some assistance as well as enjoy the Quarter for a few days. I read that perhaps our tourist dollars would be helpful - is that true or just some hype created by a tourism site?

I would appreciate the advice of those of you who reside in NOLA. Should we come or would our presence be more burden than good? Thanks in advance and besides my questions, please do let all of us concerned APUGers know how you are.

GO TO N.O. !!! Spend your money, have a good time, suck in the pain, spend money. Lend a hand. Did I mention spend money?

We went between Christmas and New Years (you might remember a post or two I made about it). The quarter wasn't all the way back, but you could and would have a good time. The people who worked there were happy to see us. Amazed that we would come to N.O. even though... By now I am sure 95% of the quarter is back, even if Flaratys (sp?) isn't.

As for absorbing the pain, my sister was running a free clinic in Algeirs. We went, we saw, we were amazed at what these people were doing (for nothing) to help out. We went to the upper and lower 9th. There is the pain. We went through Lakeside. THAT blew my socks off. This isn't some depressed little neighborhood. Lakeside is middle class urban life, like your's and mine... and gone. Nothing... just nothing was happening there.

Then take a drive to Biloxi. Be ready to be blown away. Blown away like everything 1/4 to 1/2 mile inland.... gone. Just gone. Anyway, go to New Orleans and have a good time and learn about what really happened.

Appreciate Sportera's photos. He's done a great job.

tim in san jose

 

[Sportera]

To those thinking of coming here, please do. NOLA's insustry has become the buissiness of its own reconstruction. We need the tourist dollars that we used to get before the storm to flow again. Many of us fear the day when the contractors and FEMA, SBA, etc leave our hotels, what then. Who will fill the resteraunts, ride in cabs, go to the Quater.

We need you.

 

[Digidurst]

Appreciate Sportera's photos. He's done a great job.

tim in san jose

I have and still do have a great appreciation for the work Sam is doing.

Thank you for the input, guys! I think it's time to make some reservations.