PRIZED PRE-CEPTS
Certainly, events along our Gulf coast during the past few weeks should help us to overcome some of our deeply set prejudices.
These changes are most urgently needed in the very areas where senseless restrictions and selfish favoritisms are models of operation. Landmarks of proper conduct are easy enough to see, to post, print, preach and pontificate upon in endless stream of pallid platitudes, and even book of laws which remain, by and large, unenforced.
We are in need of some further studies of our present situation in regard the stability of our faith and trust in our own government as a basic form of civic rule.
During recent weeks we have all heard some rather harsh criticism of both the government of the State of Louisiana and of the City of New Orleans. It was specific in nature and mentioned leaders by name, departments, functions and failures and accusations claiming they had failed to meet the needs -or a least, the expectations of the people. Time after timed they hesitated in uncertainty, and it was “time” which took value out of any plans they may have had in mind. Quite often comments compared what was happening during the old days of Huey Long's rule of the area. Far too frequently the talk concerned the corruption and illegal actions of Long's reign with conditions today in state and city. The political cleanup will be done eventually and may be that it will rival the real estate changes.
Other discussions overheard compared the plight of New Orleans to that of Chicago in its darkest moments years ago and I found criticism of the patchwork New Orleans' police department to be beyond comprehension.
All of this devious complicity evolves from individual wrongdoing. It is far easier and better if it can be curbed at the starting end than at the “end” end. Let's school ourselves as individuals against avarice, greed, against hate and distrust and prejudices and falseness. As individuals, we become our nation.
A.L.M. September 27, 2005 [c368wds]
