Katrina Update #19

September 08, 2005; 12:17 AM

Not a lot to say for this update. We spent the day in various places trying to get online. Finally solved the problem by buying a new router for the person with whom we are staying.

Cary spoke with Jim "Professor Jim" Eiseman who moved to Louisville earlier this summer to join his wife and step-son. Their restaurant Café Lou Lou (get it - LOUisville and LOUisiana) is holding a benefit all day on Tuesday, September 13th. We plan to arrive there sometime in the afternoon. We are then going to stay in the area to attend Bourbon Festival on the 14th-18th. We are hoping to get as many Coop's regulars and irregulars there as possible.

I have lots of updates to put on the site, but I need to get other work done too. Janis and I are more fortunate then most because about 80% our incomes come from outside New Orleans. But that also means we have to keep working to keep the money coming in. I hope to do more tomorrow, now that I have a stable connection.

I fixed the links on the update page (at least I think I fixed them all). If you see any links that don't work, please let me know.

I also added Habitat for Humanity to the Donations page. I think this is a very important place to donate money. Lia Ivison works for them, but more importantly, they can play a big role in helping to rebuild the homes for so many who lost theirs.

I haven't heard much news today - I did hear that Mayor Nagin proclaimed that everyone was too be evacuated - even by force, if necessary (as I reported last night). Today, I understand the military has refused to forceably remove people from their homes and the city. For what it's worth, I think this is a bad decision on the part of the military. Those of you who know me know that I am pretty much a libertarian at heart. I think a person's freedom and civil liberties are paramount. Under normal times, I would agree with anyone who chose to stay and defend their property.

But, Damnit! These are not normal times. Anyone who stays in the city now is just going to be in the way of cleanup and and the effort to rebuild the citiy's infrastructure. And they will get sick. Officials have enough to worry about without having to be diverted to do emergency evacuations of people who get so sick they finally decide to leave. I am sorry if this sounds harsh, but that's just plain selfish at this point.

I also heard that Entergy plans to have electricity on in the Warehouse District and CBD perhaps as early as you are reading this, but definitely by the end of the week. This is primarily to provide basic services to the emergency teams that need to be housed and fed in the city. It is my understanding they will be living in the hotels until their job is done. Thank god they will have electricity and can cool off a bit in the air conditioning.

I am working on a major revamp of the galleries, with commentary for most pictures and a new organization that will allow me to add pictures more easily in the future. I hope to have that up in the next day or so.

If you are one of the displaced whose name is on my people list - please email me if you can and let me know if it is OK to post your email address or phone number (or both) with your name on the site. Many people have been asking. I already have permission from a few. You can get in touch with me at (504) 628-3640. If I don't answer, please leave a message, as my cell service has been spotty here.

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