Bush cabinet official predicts New Orleans will be a "whiter" city

[zulchzulu]

Ah. Isn't that special. Maybe Bourbon Street won't serve the Devil's Firewater either.

The fact that the Neocons have their claws on New Orleans with the help of Halliburton makes me consider this a terrorist act upon our American culrure.

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20050929-114710-8545r.htm

"Alphonso R. Jackson, secretary of housing and urban development, during a visit with hurricane victims in Houston, said New Orleans would not reach its pre-Katrina population of "500,000 people for a long time," and "it's not going to be as black as it was for a long time, if ever again."
Rep. Danny K. Davis, Illinois Democrat and a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, quickly took issue.
"Anybody who can make that kind of projection with some degree of certainty or accuracy must have a crystal ball that I can't see or maybe they are more prophetic than any of us can imagine," he said.
Other members of the caucus said the comments by Mr. Jackson, who is black, could be misconstrued as a goal, particularly considering his position of responsibility in the administration."

[Dhalgren]

1. Oh man come on!

"Other members of the caucus said the comments by Mr. Jackson, who is black, could be misconstrued as a goal, particularly considering his position of responsibility in the administration."

Misconstrued?! Are they kidding?! He is very plainly stating that black people are going to be intentionally priced out of the "new" NO! It wasn't even a very subtle statement - it was blatant! Blacks are no longer wanted in the new and improved New Orleans! Gods!

[mattclearing]

2. They aren't counting the dead.

But something tells me that the 100,000 or so estimate of missing/dead at the beginning of this was not as far off as the government would like us to believe. That's a big chunk of that 500,000 population estimate.

[AntiCoup2K4]

12. I doubt it's 100,000, but that's not why they're suppressing the count.

As long as the body count is more than 3000, we will never know the official number. Because the proof can never be allowed to exist in print that the stupidity of George W. Chimp killed more people in one day than Osama Bin Laden did.

[izzie]

3. I am sure some will sell out for pennies on a dollar.

It is like this. I grew up in a beach resort. Most people were on the poor side. Now poor people can not even buy in the town. So if the land looks good greed will win out and we do know white people have more money than blacks. Just see what is happening to the waterfront in Portland Maine. I am not sure it is right or wrong as no one buys land or homes hoping they will go down in value.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

4. This corporo-fascist racism must be fought. Nominated.

[Schema Thing]

5. The man was just being realistic.

Let's not prove that liberals are irrational people who parse every word to fuck over our enemies no matter how ridiculously far out we have to reach to do it.

The man was stating a fact. No crystal ball needed.

Seems to me, it's a hell of alot more likely to be a problem that is mitigated or solved if we allow public officials to actually fucking talk about it.

When democrats start decrying honesty, I have a real problem with my party.

[npincus]

8. I've got your back, AchtungToddler

I agree completely

[zulchzulu]

9. It is a careless, stupid statement to say that...

What about the growing Hispanic population. Are they "white"? The guy doesn't have a goddamn clue about cultural sensitivity nor does he even understand that many people of color (in New Orleans, there are blacks, creole and a wide range of mixed racial blends) plan on returning to their home...repeat that...their home.

If the obvious intention is to "upgrade" New Orleans with more "white" people by making it too expensive to live there for those that would have to work at a fraction of their usual salary to rebuild, then we can say at least the Bush administration is being honest.

If you've ever been to New Orleans (I lived there 6 years), you'd know there is such a wide range of racial mix within the population. A "black" person there could easily have a Cajun name, straight hair, French features and some Spanish features thrown in for good measure.

[zulchzulu]

11. Will New Orleans be a less "creole" city? More "hispanic"?

Johnson is an idiot. He must know about as much as Brownie when it comes to New Orleans and its cultural background.

To say that "black neighborhoods" may not be rebuilt means that Halliburton plans on bulldozing the area and making some nice, expensive condos...

[cassiepriam]

6. That's the plan. Southern DisneyWorld...

mecca for white rich tourists.

[jobycom]

7. A lot of DUers are saying the same thing. I can't tell from the WY article

whether A Jackson was gloating, predicting, analyzing or complaining, but a lot of DUers have arrived at the same conclusions as A Jackson.

This is why the Washington Times should not be considered a real newspaper. Nothing in this article describes the context of the A Jackson comment. Maybe he was bragging, or giving a wink statement to conservatives. Maybe he was saying this is the way these things happen. Maybe he was lamenting the fact that this is the likely outcome. Maybe he's even trying to warn people what Bush is planning, hoping that someone will stop Bush.

I'd like to know more. But the WT doesn't tell any more. I'll have to find a more reliable news source. Maybe Tom Flocco, or the National Enquirer. Or some guy at the barber shop.

[zulchzulu]

10. Houston Chronicle reports on it as well

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/3374480

[jobycom]

13. Thanks, much better link. nt.

[gratuitous]

14. Whatever Jackson meant

I'm sure that his message went out loud and clear to his target audience. Unfortunately, it was overheard by an audience that wasn't supposed to hear it, and they will draw their own conclusions.

And the GOP wonders why it can't make inroads with blacks. As inept as Democrats sometimes are, they at least don't make out-and-out genocidal statements.

[zulchzulu]

15. I wonder how many white Repugs smiled with joy when he mentioned it

Talk about an Uncle Tom...

[liberalpragmatist]

16. Doug Brinkley says much the same thing

Doug Brinkley, who is at Tulane, says that New Orleans will likely emerge as a smaller, gentrified city more like Savannah or Charleston. The major population center in the state may permanently shift to Baton Rouge.

[zulchzulu]

17. Ah, Baton Rouge...with 4 exits to Jimmy Swaggart U. on I-10

Creepy place...the KKK will rise again to make those niggruhs move back to Sin City...