Wasn't New Orleans Bad Before Katrina?!

[toupsee]

Originally Posted by Drouzin

I see this post has touched a nerve with a lot of people. I've seen so many of this type that I generally ignore them, but because so many are put off by the comments I thought I'd help put some perspective on the thing.

This guy lives in Lafayette and admits to little time spent in the City; probably as much time as any of us has spent in Lafayette. I could easily say based on my say, four visits, that it is a sleepy little city with nothing to do. I could mention that the neighborhood surrounding the downtown district was definitely unsavory at best. So why don't I? Because thinking I know anything about Lafayette after four visits is silly.

This guy mentions the drunks, druggies, murders, and mentally ill. Perhaps Lafayette has no drunks, druggies, murders or mentally ill residents. Perhaps this guy has never traveled to the numerous other places that have drunks, druggies, murders or mentally ill people wandering throughout their downtown districts. We can only assume he isn't well traveled.

This guy is afraid of the entire NOPD. Well they do have a reputation... They don't bother me, or for the most part, most people, but then I and most people don't give them any reason to arrest us. Then again he doesn't know any NOPD officers and that some of them are actually nice people.

This guy was insulted that Lafayette has the local reputation of being a "Country City, with nothing to do." It's sad that someone in the hotel/tourism business couldn't be a professional or even polite. However he has no qualms applying the same standard here on these boards. Perhaps he's posting this in hopes of reaching those bad employees who hurt his feelings.

We can only assume by the invitation to kiss this person's hiney that he is hoping to insult those few hotel employees who hurt his feelings, for I can't imagine what the rest of us have done to offend this guy.

Now on the money thing it could go two ways. One would be that he intends to never again visit thusly contributing nothing more to the local tax base; the other would be that he will not donate money to New Orleans in a time of disaster. Perhaps it is both. Sadly, we'll miss that $20 donation, but we all apparently needed to be taught a lesson.

Bottom line folks is that there are hundreds of thousands of posts like this on the internet and if I had a penny for every one made, I'd be a rich lady. They are never constructive, always imply that all residents are alcoholic/drug addicted thugs, and usually are from someone who has no idea what life outside the FQ tourist area is like.

These people have never walked through the Marigny to be greeted by a resident on a bike, they have never stood in line for a snowball and had a conversation, they have never gone to City Park on MG day to bounce on the limbs of a 300 yr old oak with the other kids. Yes the city can seem like downtown Beiruit, and yes areas are bad, but when one invites a whole city to plant one on his rear can you really take them seriously?

You need to have a show like "JUDGE DROUZIN" or something. You always hit the nail on the head. And with great eloquence, too.

[miserylovesco.]

Originally Posted by sailordave

My wife and I don't drink so we stayed away from Bourbon st. The crazy people and drug addicts were outside our hotel along Canal St. and outside the Aquarium. Before Katrina there was a case of a female police officer who committed armed robbery and murder of a store she was a frequent customer. She didn't know the children of the people she killed were watching from behind the cooler glass. Imagine how shocked the children were then they called the police and she was one of the responding officers. Some of the NOPD have acted as executioners and enforcers for drug gangs. Then there's the popular William "cold cash" Jefferson. Real nice place.

Well, you don't drink so there is your first problem.
Secondly, any major city has a ton of problems, there is NO urban environment that doesn't have an armful of issues.
So, you've stated your point that you have a disdain for the city that we CHOOSE to enjoy and live, will it ruin our day?
Nope, we'll keep on enjoying sitting on porches with friends and listening to WWOZ while we completely forget someone in McCain country doesn't like this "dirty drug filled place."

[Drouzin]

Thanks for the compliments ya'll I've tried to send a personal thanks, but just like ya'll, I was told to spread the love so only some of you got the message.

[Huckleberry3911948]

i am a non white
i am a former new orleans resident
i was in new orleans just b4 katrina
out of control
i would not even spend the night there
dropped the car and spent the night sitting up in the airport.
canal street & loyola ave., gangs of 30 guys rushing cars and yanking doors.
pants down and a 9mm
diversity in action? i dont think so.

[Innotech]

Originally Posted by miserylovesco.

Anything outside of NOLA is a waste of space.

When I lived in Chicago I felt the same way about lower IL, it might as well be a different universe.
I could care less about ever visiting Lafeyette or however you spell it.

theres no need to down my city because of SailorDave. Lafayette has its own identity and plenty of charm as well.

Also, Lafayette has plenty of crime. It is far above the national crime index. It might not be because of homicides (Lafayette averages 11/year) but theft, burglary, vehicle jacking, narcotics, and criminal destruction are all ongoing problems even on the southside. Lafayette is a great place to live, but for those of you in NOla I think its fair to say that our city has plenty of its own issues to deal with too. NOLA isnt the only crime-infested city in Louisiana. In general, Louisiana is a crime-infested state. Its just the way things are. but you and I have learned to live with it. SOme of us in Lafayette truly love your city faults and all, so dont lose heart. but also dont stoop to his level by insulting my city either please.