I remain absolutely stunned by Ray Nagin's attitude towards the City of New Orleans in his final days. Once again, Nagin is jetsetting around the world on the taxpayer's dime. This time it's to Merida, Mexico. I love Mexico, but Nagin has absolutely no business going there. Furthermore, his itinerary clearly shows that the trip has absolutely no business attached to it and is exclusively a fun junket at the taxpayer's expense.
I'm just sick of the man. I don't think I've ever seen a Mayor so brazenly and unashamedly give the big middle finger to the citizens of New Orleans. I knew the man was an arrogant and dismissive twit, but it's utterly, gobsmackingly shameful what he's doing. How does the man live with himself?
I hold Rob Couhig solely responsible for this affront. Couhig knew what Nagin was and yet couldn't fathom a city run by Mitch Landrieu, so he threw his support to Nagin, delivering enough of the City's delusional conservative Republican base into Nagin's corner. I blame Couhig and every single one of Couhig's supporters who cast their lot with Nagin the last time around. Look what you gave to this city. Pathetic.
Katrina was obviously a tragedy for the city and for many of us personally, but the total lack of political leadership at the federal, state, and local levels has made the recovery much slower and less focused that it should have been.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that Nagin went around antagonizing much of the population with his "chocolate city" comments, world travel, and general insanity has not helped New Orleans on a state, national, or world level.
I was so excited to vote for him for his first term. I had great hopes. He seemed to do OK pre-Katrina, but I'm convinced the man went bonkers over the storm.
I'm hoping someone who can provide real leadership steps forward to run for mayor. From what I've seen so far, I think I may be disappointed.
That's exactly what I said to my husband today, upon reading the paper and finding out about the trip to Merida--"It's like he's trying to say f&*k you, New Orleans, as many times as he can, before he's out of office."
ReplyDeleteMay of 2010 can't come soon enough. Can you imagine how much of our budget shortfall will disappear once this jackass is gone?