goodbye to 2005 - goodbye to New Orleans

of all the things that occurred in 2005, hurricane Katrina hit me the hardest. the desperation of the citizens of New Orleans, Jefferson Parish and all of those townships on the Gulf Coast marked me profoundly and still does. murder suicide rates are up. just take a look at this story:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3556966.html

Katrina evacuees facing eviction found dead in apparent double murder-suicide
Associated Press

GRAPEVINE — A family of three Hurricane Katrina evacuees facing eviction were found dead Friday in their North Texas apartment in what police said appears to be a double murder-suicide.

The discovery was made after police were called by the apartment complex to assist in the eviction, Grapevine police Sgt. Todd Dearing said. He didn't know how long the Louisiana family had not been paying rent.
Found with gunshot wounds were a 40-year-old man, a 37-year-old woman and a 14-year-old boy. Dearing said police found a shotgun believed to be the weapon.
Dearing said the scene inside the apartment "had the appearance" of a murder-suicide, but he couldn't say for certain.
He said police were searching for a 16-year-old daughter who they believe was living away from the family. Identifications were withheld pending notification of relatives.
Dearing said a resident informed the complex Thursday that they heard what sounded like three gunshots near the victims' apartment. Grapevine police were called to the apartment but left when no one answered the door.
"There was no reason for us to make entry," Dearing said. "They said it was their usual method of not answering the phones or door because they were being evicted."
Dearing said the family was supposed to be out of the apartment Tuesday, but the complex gave the family a few extra days. The family was receiving assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Dearing said.
Apartment management could not be reached for comment.
Dearing said the victims will be taken to the Tarrant County medical examiner for autopsies. - (END ARTICLE)


so incredibly tragic this is, and it's not the first or the last suicide resulting from this natural disaster and breakdown of the government to effectively help these people. I've given to charities and others have given so much to help victims of the hurricane, but what has the government really done. it's over 4 months now since it happened and people are being evicted from the places that they had to relocate to; how sad is this? it's just disgraceful in my opinion and I can only pray that things will somehow improve.

but also, the city of New Orleans will never, ever be the same. musicians who thrived in the spirit of the city have had to relocate, probably for good. this will create a new musical culture in the country, I believe. but what about this city. I've been there, as I've said before, and walking around and hearing different music, from jazz to blues and zydeco, could be heard on each and every block. it will take years and maybe decades to bring the city up to code to be protected by this kind of natural disaster. I know it won't be soon and I expect to hear more tragic stories like this.

but anyway, Happy New Year and God bless New Orleans! you'll be missed, the way you were.