“I Care About the Black Folks”
The NY Times published a highly critical op-ed of President Bush. It is stinging, and probably represents what most Americans are feeling about the President’s response to the devastation of Katrina.
One thing I have been thinking about lately is how events define individuals, but more specifically politicians. Most people can easily think of 3 politicians who defined themselves based on how they acted in response to a great change in society or event. Think about JFK, Nixon, Truman, and Churchill. Think about Giuliani.
Giuliani was a very dividing figure in NYC, but his response to 9/11 was extraordinary. Most people can agree on this. But how will Ray Nagin be defined (the mayor of New Orleans). Why Giuliani is a household name but Ray Nagin is not? What is the difference between these two politicians? How much of these individuals were defined by the national governments response (Bush) as opposed to their personal responses? Was Ray Nagin the victim of a lack of interest by the national government or just a leader who couldn’t lead? I wonder.
September 25th, 2005 at 1:50 pm
“Was Ray Nagin the victim of a lack of interest by the national government or just a leader who couldn’t lead? ”
Could be both or neither. I have not paying too much attention to the U.S. politics that I was not aware of Ray Nagin till recently.
This is a good point to think why Ray Nagin’s response was different from Giuliani. My guess is Ray Nagin does not have much authority or power as Giuliani. Just as any politics, it is matter of who we know and how much money he can circulate or generate to others( polliticians, large business owners like oil companies and finanical companies) I hate to play racial card but I have to suspect it does something to do with?!
I might be wrong but I feel that Ray Nagin does not have much authority to take actions or make decisions without spending more time and energy to negotiate with national government than Giuliani for the reasons above. I also wonder if Ray Nagin has the exactly same authority as Giuliani,was he accessible to the same amount of resources in the same amount of time under the current condition of the U.S. and N.O? I personally doubt it.
It is interesting in some ways and important to think about politics but I don’t really like it because it is a game for people who already have money and power not for “people” or by “people” as it claims.
October 2nd, 2005 at 2:37 pm
I agree somewhat….New York is entirely on a different level than New Orleans. The City is complicated, huge, and has a lot of very important government-related buildings….that’s one of the reasons the terriorists picked it. They didn’t pick New Orleans because basically the nation can still function without it (I hate to say). In my opinion, the government only helps cities (and countries) that benefit us in some way….if you have a country with people just suffering or involved in a war that doesn’t affect us in any way, then we do not help.
New Orleans is basically historical sites, and entertainment (Mardi Gras). I don’t think Mr. Nagin had to deal on a day-to-day basis with the type of important people that NYC does. Therefore, he probably did not have near as many connections or ties with people who can get things done.
It’s sad, but compare it to a little town in Idaho being bombed or flooded, the people at the top think it’s sad but they really don’t care because it doesn’t affect them in any way.
Unless, you are in D.C., NYC, Chicago, L.A. and maybe a few more cities, don’t count on them responding too quickly…