These are rough times in politics. As a way of changing the rhythm, it may be timely and appropriate to recognize individuals who spent a lot of time and energy at the Clark Community Network in the past. Some have left with no trace, others return periodically, all are missed, and we hope all will eventually return. We should recognize their contributions to the depth of discussion, their sharing of knowledge, and yes, some appropriate humor. Please list ones you miss with any comment you may think is appropriate.

WARNING - This is a fairly long and convoluted account. It is not scholarly, and a lot of the statements can probably be explained, footnoted, or made more precise. The purpose is to give a sense of how complicated this situation has become and why understanding the historical origins of current situations is important. Without naming names, or making comparisons, it is an example of why knowledge and experience may be important in foreign policy. I would not know how to deal with these issues. Would you?

Recent Events

The Geaux family had the fantastic opportunity of hearing Bill Clinton today in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The venue was a small auditorium at a community college, seating probably 350 people, and with a crowd overflow outside of the building. We were in one of the last small groups that were allowed in and sat probably 6 rows away from the podium.

How can Louisiana recover without Federal Aid?

Open Letter to Gov. Blanco from Foster Campbell, Commissioner. Copied with permission.

21 September 2005

Hon. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
Governor of Louisiana
P.O. Box 94004
Baton Rouge LA 70804-9004

Dear Governor Blanco:

As you prepare to ask the Legislature to face the task of rebuilding New Orleans and southeast Louisiana, I urge you to allow debate on a tax on foreign oil and gas processed in Louisiana. Such a tax could form the basis of a dramatic restructuring of State fiscal policy that would invigorate our economy, restore our wetlands and bring our people home.

I am trying to help the Glasgow Middle School in Baton Rouge, La. provide for the new students displaced by the storm(Katrina). One can visit their website at-- glasgow.ebrschools.org

There is a school supply list for each grade on-line. The art supplies list is below(from the art teacher's email):

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# 2 mechanic pencils, Shading pencils 2B,3B,4B,5B,6B or Ebony Shading pencils
White Staedtler erasers.
Prang professional Water colors- pack of semi-moist or Artist quality Water colors
Any art books old or new on learning water color, learning perspective, learning drawings, landscape. Any books which can be useful to artstudents.

MR. RUSSERT: Hold on. Hold on, sir. Shouldn't the mayor of New Orleans and the governor of New Orleans bear some responsibility? Couldn't they have been much more forceful, much more effective and much more organized in evacuating the area?
MR. BROUSSARD: Sir, they were told like me, every single day, "The cavalry's coming," on a federal level, "The cavalry's coming, the cavalry's coming, the cavalry's coming." I have just begun to hear the hoofs of the cavalry. The cavalry's still not here yet, but I've begun to hear the hoofs, and we're almost a week out.
Let me give you just three quick examples. We had Wal-Mart deliver three trucks of water, trailer trucks of water. FEMA turned them back. They said we didn't need them. This was a week ago. FEMA--we had 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel on a Coast Guard vessel docked in my parish. The Coast Guard said, "Come get the fuel right away." When we got there with our trucks, they got a word. "FEMA says don't give you the fuel." Yesterday--yesterday--FEMA comes in and cuts all of our emergency communication lines. They cut them without notice. Our sheriff, Harry Lee, goes back in, he reconnects the line. He posts armed guards on our line and says, "No one is getting near these lines." Sheriff Harry Lee said that if America--American government would have responded like Wal-Mart has responded, we wouldn't be in this crisis.