As details emerge about a multi-track federal investigation into former Mayor Ray Nagin’s personal dealings with city contractors, The Times-Picayune recently reminded us that Nagin was viewed as a “colossal disappointment”…
Author Archives: Mark Moseley
Mark Moseley blogs at Your Right Hand Thief. Until mid 2014, Mark Moseley was The Lens' opinion writer, engagement specialist and coordinator for the Charter Schools Reporting Corps. After Katrina and the Federal Flood he helped create the Rising Tide conference, which grew into an annual social media event dedicated to the future of New Orleans.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Talk about a bit of chutzpah: Asking for overtime after being caught gambling
As I recall, the quintessential example of “chutzpah” is when a kid kills his parents over and over again but keeps expecting different results. This statue shows Einstein on a bench, probably during working hours, imagining the advent of video poker. Photo by maveric2003 via Flickr, under Creative Commons license Now… that’s always seemed like […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Yet again, GOP voters go whole hog for ‘anybody but Romney’
Rick Santorum on the campaign trail: the latest Romney option. (Gage Skidmore/Flickr Creative Commons) Back in December, I advised my vast army of readers to bet on unusual permutations in the 2012 Republican primaries. So imagine this post being typed on an imaginary aircraft carrier, with a banner behind the author declaring “Weirdness Accomplished.” Tuesday […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Opinion
To fight violent crime, New Orleans may need to get the lead out
In one of his many fine recent columns on crime, Times-Picayune columnist Jarvis DeBerry wrote (my emphases): [New Orleans Police Superintendent Ronal] Serpas and his predecessor have both struggled to explain why things are particularly bad here. [Former Superintendent] Warren Riley wondered if there isn’t something in the water. Serpas hasn’t said anything so bizarre, […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Opinion
Rage over victim’s arrest record should be directed at NOPD
As I concluded some small talk with a friend this morning, he turned to go but then whirled around and said, “Interesting report by The Lens yesterday.” He didn’t have to elaborate. I knew he referred to the article about New Orleans Police Department’s delay in issuing a statement on Mike Ainsworth, the Good Samaritan […]
Posted inEnvironment, Opinion
Happy Birthday, Saints-Picayune – and sundry other random thoughts
This grab bag of topics goes out to those who like their internet reading quick and brief.
Posted inEnvironment, Opinion
500-year protection for under $2 billion? Why wait 20 years to start?
Reapirs to New Orleans’ current “100-year” flood defense have already cost more than $10 billion, and yet the coastal master plan projects “500-year” protection for a mere $1.8 billion more? (Dana M. Clark, Flickr Creative Commons) Thursday, The Times-Picayune ran a front-page story on the state’s newly-released 50-year strategy to confront south Louisiana’s coastal loss […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Hell hath no fury like a great team thirsting for gridiron vengeance
The Tide prepares to roll over the Tigers in the BCS championship debacle. (Matthew Tosh/Creative Commons) After the LSU Tigers won the “Game of the Century” in overtime back in November, reporters immediately asked coach Les Miles about the possibility of a rematch with Alabama’s Crimson Tide in the BCS championship game. Instead of deflecting […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Opinion
Things to consider, from homicide figures to killer sports records
Let’s get down on Friday and briefly consider five different topics in one post. What do you say? 1) The Uptown Messenger is correct. Murder was the single most important story in New Orleans last year. Homicides increased, and led many to question whether Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas is the right person for the job. […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Golf offer’s no gimme, but with BP paying, that’s par for the course
Jay Dardenne’s offer on LouisianaTravel.com … but Louisianans need not apply. While in Alabama over the holidays I was startled to see Louisiana Lt. Gov Jay Dardenne appear in a TV advertisement. He spoke directly into the camera and offered me the following deal: if the Alabama Crimson Tide prevails over the LSU Tigers in […]