GulfSails: April 2006

JAZZ FEST!

Like Mardi Gras, you can not keep New Orleans down, especially when it comes to music.

Check it all out live as our musical rebirth in the city that invented Jazz comes alive using the following links:

LIVE VIDEO from all the stages:

LISTEN TO THE MUSIC LIVE:

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Alright, Alright... I'll Keep My Day Job

Yeah, well my election picks didn't really pan out now did they.

Maybe this will make up for it... check it out -- it's for a great cause.

The Carrollton Station Foundation

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Election Beads

I could have sworn I saw a float on Harrison Avenue this morning as I went to St. Dominic's Church to cast my vote... Actually I could have almost cried as I walked into the voting booth. Amazing how much a simple deal as voting means in this wasted town of New Orleans.

I was a little bummed out that I didn't get any beads though -- that's what the atmosphere was like. Celebratory.

Turnout was intense, people everywhere... and I didn't vote for nearly anyone that I had set my mind on before I walked into the booth. Most of the people I spoke with were exactly the same way... Everyone was a little surprised by their vote.

Here are my predictions and they ain't necessarily how I voted -- just my gut feeling.

- Nagin will not make the runoff.
- Couhig will possibly come in third, if not the runoff.
- Five of the seven Assessors will be voted out.
- Batt will be in the runoff.
- Gusman is out.
- Ollie and Arnie at large -- sorry Jackie.
- Valteau & Atkins are in.
- I will sue the NAACP and/or the Rev. Jackson for violating my rights if they file a damned lawsuit and hold up this election.

Anyway -- here's to democracy.

Oh, by the way, best idea I've heard in a long time -- throughout this coming hurricane season, the Army Corps of Engineers must sit in a metal cage in Lakeview with the top of the cage sitting at the Katrina waterline... how's that for an endorsement of the repaired levees.

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THE Election

Only New Orleans could produce what is - without question - the oddest mayoral election in this nation's history. I mean in what other mayoral election would one be asking, "Who won Houston? Atlanta? Salt Lake City?"

(I've heard that your less savvy individuals in Houston are calling in to Texas talk radio asking why the heck Ray Nagin's big fat bald head is plastered over so many billboards in Texas.)

We even have the final debate getting televised nationally on MSNBC in primetime and hosted by Hardball's Chris Matthews.

Odd times indeed.

Anyway, I feel compelled to make a few recommendations (Mayor & Council at Large only) for the vote next Saturday...

MAYOR: Mitch Landrieu

Why: I've been watching all of the debates, and I have to say, even though I am still somewhat of a fan of Nagin, his laid back attitude just ain't gonna' cut it when we're down here begging Congress for money in order to even get our street lights working.

Forman is really just too much of the Uptown candidate.

Couhig & Boulet scored a few points with me, but it wasn't enough.

Peggy and the Reverend are both completely insane... so that leaves Mitch.

Watch out for a surprise though -- I predict either an outright win by Landrieu or a Landrieu/Forman runoff.

CITY COUNCIL AT LARGE (can vote for two): Arnold Fielkow & Oliver Thomas.

Why: This is a no brainer. Both of these guys have shown their true colors throughout our Katrina experience. Thomas was everywhere - on boats rescuing people, pleading eloquently for help from the rest of the country in the national media, etc.

Arnie (the former GM for the New Orleans Saints) was Johnny on the spot as team owner, Tom Benson, made his boneheaded moves to try and take the Saints out of this town - while people were still dying in attics. He stood up to that imbecile, screaming that this is not what you do in a disaster and got fired for it. Paul Tagliabue had to finally reign in Benson and I can't wait for Benson to see Fielkow sitting on the other side of the negotiating table from him.

ASSESSORS: Yep, you guessed it - the IQ Ticket.

I also want to give a helluva shout out to the Times-Picayune who won two Pulitzer Prizes today for their Katrina coverage. THANKS TIMES-PIC! You deserve it.

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