Photo Essay: A Weekend In NOLA

joepole · 08-28-2007, 01:13 PM

I just want to make sure people don't forget the real New Orleans, the one with drug addicts, urine, and grinding poverty caused by its own residents, a population by and large too inept to lead its own life.

Seems all we hear about lately are glossy, inspiring stories of hope and redemption. That's not the New Orleans I know. The New Orleans I know is a pit of despair, corruption, and hopelessness with a faint outer shell of "culture."

Robyn · 08-28-2007, 01:23 PM

I hear you, Joepole.

joepole · 08-28-2007, 01:25 PM

If the city were "moving on" then Ray Nagin would be unemployed. It's business as usual down there.

LateNight · 08-28-2007, 01:28 PM

I'm not sure what the answers are to New Orleans.. personally I'm not in agreement with Joe on this one. I know that New Orleans has issues.. some BIG issues.. crime is very high.. But I'm not willing to pass the rest of the city off because of it. I've spent a whole lot of time in New Orleans. Have family there. There is much to do there for entertainment, and I still have a good time when I go there. And personally, I've never had a bad experience there, including the Jazz Fest, one year after Katrina.

But what are the answers ? to the high crime, the poverty etc etc etc.. I don't see it being any different than any other large inner city, with the same makeup of residence as New Orleans.. I suppose new orleans history and heritage is what has kept the likes of the French Quarter and other historical areas from totally decaying into nothingness.. despite what is going on around it.

I know New Orleans has its ugly side.. But I'll say it again. I've been down there countless times for concerts, parties, festivals, and to just visit. pre and post katrina, I've never had a bad experience down there, other than it's just down right hot in the summer time

joepole · 08-28-2007, 01:56 PM

1. What is a "large inner city?" "Inner city" is part of a city, not a type of city.

2.

>.. I don't see it being any different than any other large inner city, with the same makeup of residence as New Orleans

Such as?

LateNight · 08-28-2007, 02:35 PM

I'm just gonna assume you're in a mood today joe.. either you know what I meant, or you didn't..

joepole · 08-28-2007, 02:53 PM

I don't know which other cities "with the same makeup of residence as New Orleans" are no different. That is why I asked.

LateNight · 08-28-2007, 03:27 PM

An inner city is the central area of a major city. In the United States and United Kingdom, the term is often applied to the poorer parts of the city center and is sometimes used as a euphemism with the connotation of being an area, perhaps a ghetto, where people are less educated and wealthy and where there is more crime. These connotations are less common in other Western countries, where deprived areas may be located in outlying parts of cities. For instance, in Paris, Vienna or Amsterdam, the inner city is the richest part of the metropolis, where housing is the most expensive, and where elites and high-income individuals dwell.

I'm referring to those "inner cities" in some parts of the country.. that are literally crumbling, crime is rampant and the rule of the day. I'm just saying that I think New Orleans would have long been given up on, except for it's rich history. And Bourbon street is still a great place to go, and hear some great music.

Isaac-Saxxon · 08-28-2007, 03:29 PM

Let Joe Blow it makes him feel better and a bit more educated than the average Joe

rhertz · 08-28-2007, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joepole

I just want to make sure people don't forget the real New Orleans, the one with drug addicts, urine, and grinding poverty caused by its own residents, a population by and large too inept to lead its own life.

Around 1969 I was about 10 years old in New Orleans and saw another kid about 12 years old pick the pocket of an old drunk man and stick the wallet into his shoe shine kid and cover it up with a rag really quick. I was amazed at the speed and skill this kid had at stealing. He obviously had a lot of practice and resulting talent. The man spun around and looked at me. My parent quickly defended me and as we were walking away, the 12 year old kid was helping the man look for his wallet. "Did you take this man's wallet?" "Did you take this man's wallet"? All the while I was pointing at this shoe shine box.

My point Joe is that your point is nothing new at all. New Orleans was that way before we were born. You can thank each and every mayor and governor since Huey Long to present.

Pocahontas · 08-28-2007, 08:32 PM

The best things about New Orleans are/were Commander's Palace, Brennan's and Antoine's. I'm not sure which ones are still there. I've not been to New Orleans in years! Oh and Pat O'Brian's. Does anyone know if those are still in existence?

Jesse · 08-29-2007, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pocahontas

The best things about New Orleans are/were Commander's Palace, Brennan's and Antoine's. I'm not sure which ones are still there. I've not been to New Orleans in years! Oh and Pat O'Brian's. Does anyone know if those are still in existence?

Yes, they all are!

Joe, I gotta say, I take offense to many of your comments. My family has lived there for years and years (Hey, my MIL was born on Bourbon Street in 1930) and they work their tails off and make NO a great place. In fact, my aunt, Cheryl Milam, has been elected principal of the year for Louisiana 2 years running.
All cities have their problems, and the larger they are, the more there will be. Joe, you ought to go with us next time to New Orleans so that you can see the city I know and dearly love.

rhertz · 08-29-2007, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pocahontas

The best things about New Orleans are/were Commander's Palace, Brennan's and Antoine's.

The strip clubs were not too bad either!

(I only went once and it was weird, but also a memorable experience with my buddies that I won't soon forget)

Al Swearengen · 08-29-2007, 08:12 PM

Come to New Orleans and take as much of the brown stuff thats floatin around in standin water as ya want for momentos. I'm with Joe on this one. The place is a giant public toilet that aint been flushed in years. Can it be cleaned up? Yes, and it should. But it was a crapper 30 or 40 years ago, its a crapper today, and it'll likely remain a crapper as long as "Chocolate Nagin" and his ilk are in charge, which is obviously how they like it down there.

rhertz · 08-29-2007, 08:18 PM

Here's a new orleans story. About 20 years ago Ms Hertz and I went to NO and drank a Hurricane (or two, I can't remember). A few hour later, nature called. I peed fricken red and freaked out and called Ms Hertz for help! Once we realized it was our chosen libation, we laughed hard. Sorry if this was TMI....

08-28-2007, 03:29 PM	#9
Isaac-Saxxon SBLive! Veteran Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 4,421 Rep Power: 319	Let Joe Blow it makes him feel better and a bit more educated than the average Joe __________________ Maranatha Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

08-28-2007, 08:32 PM	#11
Pocahontas SBLive! Veteran Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,691 Rep Power: 273	The best things about New Orleans are/were Commander's Palace, Brennan's and Antoine's. I'm not sure which ones are still there. I've not been to New Orleans in years! Oh and Pat O'Brian's. Does anyone know if those are still in existence? __________________ "The greater your capacity to love, the greater your capacity to feel the pain." Jennifer Aniston

08-29-2007, 08:12 PM	#14
Al Swearengen Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 849 Rep Power: 248	Come to New Orleans and take as much of the brown stuff thats floatin around in standin water as ya want for momentos. I'm with Joe on this one. The place is a giant public toilet that aint been flushed in years. Can it be cleaned up? Yes, and it should. But it was a crapper 30 or 40 years ago, its a crapper today, and it'll likely remain a crapper as long as "Chocolate Nagin" and his ilk are in charge, which is obviously how they like it down there. __________________ Molon Labe!

08-28-2007, 01:13 PM	#1
joepole SBLive! Veteran Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,606 Rep Power: 260	I just want to make sure people don't forget the real New Orleans, the one with drug addicts, urine, and grinding poverty caused by its own residents, a population by and large too inept to lead its own life. Seems all we hear about lately are glossy, inspiring stories of hope and redemption. That's not the New Orleans I know. The New Orleans I know is a pit of despair, corruption, and hopelessness with a faint outer shell of "culture."

08-28-2007, 01:23 PM	#2
Robyn New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	I hear you, Joepole.

08-28-2007, 01:25 PM	#3
joepole SBLive! Veteran Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,606 Rep Power: 260	If the city were "moving on" then Ray Nagin would be unemployed. It's business as usual down there.

08-28-2007, 01:28 PM	#4
LateNight SBLive! Veteran Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,609 Rep Power: 269	I'm not sure what the answers are to New Orleans.. personally I'm not in agreement with Joe on this one. I know that New Orleans has issues.. some BIG issues.. crime is very high.. But I'm not willing to pass the rest of the city off because of it. I've spent a whole lot of time in New Orleans. Have family there. There is much to do there for entertainment, and I still have a good time when I go there. And personally, I've never had a bad experience there, including the Jazz Fest, one year after Katrina. But what are the answers ? to the high crime, the poverty etc etc etc.. I don't see it being any different than any other large inner city, with the same makeup of residence as New Orleans.. I suppose new orleans history and heritage is what has kept the likes of the French Quarter and other historical areas from totally decaying into nothingness.. despite what is going on around it. I know New Orleans has its ugly side.. But I'll say it again. I've been down there countless times for concerts, parties, festivals, and to just visit. pre and post katrina, I've never had a bad experience down there, other than it's just down right hot in the summer time

08-28-2007, 01:56 PM	#5
joepole SBLive! Veteran Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,606 Rep Power: 260	1. What is a "large inner city?" "Inner city" is part of a city, not a type of city. 2. >.. I don't see it being any different than any other large inner city, with the same makeup of residence as New Orleans Such as?

08-28-2007, 02:35 PM	#6
LateNight SBLive! Veteran Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,609 Rep Power: 269	I'm just gonna assume you're in a mood today joe.. either you know what I meant, or you didn't..

08-28-2007, 02:53 PM	#7
joepole SBLive! Veteran Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,606 Rep Power: 260	I don't know which other cities "with the same makeup of residence as New Orleans" are no different. That is why I asked.

08-28-2007, 03:27 PM	#8
LateNight SBLive! Veteran Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,609 Rep Power: 269	An inner city is the central area of a major city. In the United States and United Kingdom, the term is often applied to the poorer parts of the city center and is sometimes used as a euphemism with the connotation of being an area, perhaps a ghetto, where people are less educated and wealthy and where there is more crime. These connotations are less common in other Western countries, where deprived areas may be located in outlying parts of cities. For instance, in Paris, Vienna or Amsterdam, the inner city is the richest part of the metropolis, where housing is the most expensive, and where elites and high-income individuals dwell. I'm referring to those "inner cities" in some parts of the country.. that are literally crumbling, crime is rampant and the rule of the day. I'm just saying that I think New Orleans would have long been given up on, except for it's rich history. And Bourbon street is still a great place to go, and hear some great music.

08-29-2007, 08:18 PM	#15
rhertz SBLive! Veteran Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,834 Rep Power: 295	Here's a new orleans story. About 20 years ago Ms Hertz and I went to NO and drank a Hurricane (or two, I can't remember). A few hour later, nature called. I peed fricken red and freaked out and called Ms Hertz for help! Once we realized it was our chosen libation, we laughed hard. Sorry if this was TMI....

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