Surely we all can agree that the first priority in the aftermath of a devastating mega-disaster is very clear: looting must be severely punished, even if the heavens fall. That’s why we should celebrate the upcoming fifth anniversary of the 15 year prison sentence Judge Hans Liljeberg bestowed upon two looters who lifted warm beer […]
Category: Opinion
Posted inOpinion
Neighborhoods are dandy, but no reason to settle for the 'official' 73
By Keith G.C. Twitchell, The Lens contributing opinion writer | A recent Lens article by Richard Campanella argues against the current official city neighborhood map and its 73 “official” neighborhoods. Campanella further goes on to argue both for and against defining neighborhoods, but ultimately describes officially defined neighborhood boundaries as “a necessary evil, an important […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Silence is Violence gets too noisy, too soon
Four years ago I became frustrated with the anti-violence group Silence is Violence because of their excessive patience with Mayor Ray Nagin and Police Chief Warren Riley, two officials who were demonstrably incapable of reducing crime rates in New Orleans. Now, I’m again frustrated with Silence is Violence and their recent call for Mayor Landrieu […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Maybe GOP should return St. Pierre’s tainted donations
Don’t you wish you could have joined in one of the poker games Mark St. Pierre held regularly on his party yacht, the Silicon Bayou? Assuming St. Pierre’s card-playing wiles are like his defense strategy against U.S. attorney Jim Letten, a patient gambler could win all kinds of moolah off of him. Just let St. […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
"Devastation" from moratorium was as real as the Rapture, but it got far less buzz
At the Gulf Coast Leadership Summit held in New Orleans on April 19, local businesswoman Leslie Bertucci stood at an audience microphone and passionately explained her story to former Oil Spill Commission Co-Chairman Bob Graham, who listened from the conference room stage. She told him that she was the owner of R&D Enterprises, and that […]
Posted inOpinion
BGR housing study was complemented, not contradicted, by UNO
Janet R. Howard, The Lens contributing opinion writer | On May 24, The Lens posted an article from Sara Meadows Tolleson on a bill proposed by House Speaker Jim Tucker to consolidate three housing agencies into a new entity. After discussing the need for amendments, Ms. Tolleson attacked the accuracy of a study by the […]
Posted inOpinion
Kudos to city for new blight strategy in historic areas
By Brad Vogel, The Lens contributing opinion writer | I didn’t expect to, but I actually broke into applause last Thursday at the city’s BlightStat meeting. Toward the end of the meeting, Jeff Hebert, the city’s Director of Blight Policy and Neighborhood Revitalization, casually mentioned that the city would no longer be pushing blighted properties […]
Posted inOpinion
Bills to revamp housing agency should nail down ethics issues
By Sara Meadows Tolleson, The Lens contributing opinion writer | Reshaping the way Louisiana handles affordable housing may be a worthwhile endeavor, but tandem housing bills now nearing a vote in the state Legislature are not ready for a floor vote. Thoughtful amendments to these bills are needed now to ensure that the state’s housing […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Mockery of scientific research comes back to haunt Bobby Jindal
A recent News Star editorial praised Governor Bobby Jindal’s leadership as the state and the Army Corps of Engineers take historic steps to manage the swollen Mississippi River. Titled “Jindal steps up in time of need,” the opinion piece commends our governor’s data-driven, pro-active approach to the situation. I’ll commend Jindal as well. He’s skilled […]
Posted inOpinion
Opportunity missed: Why aren't we coating the wetlands with mud from a mighty high river?
The “mighty” Mississippi again is offering a dazzling display of its power. Unfortunately, Louisiana is blowing an equally mighty opportunity to show the world that we are serious about saving our coast.