Villere Realty Blog

It’s high time for une revolution, n’est-ce pas? 

Obama promises hope, change.  McCain sticks to the good ol’ boy schtick.  Jindal backtracks to appease the headhunters.  And Nagin?  Well, Nagin abides.  Not unlike The Dude in ‘The Big Lebowski.’  And while cute and not necessarily undeserving of its own annual festival which, yes, ends today.  Abiding doesn’t rebuild cities, does it?  So, WTF?

Bastille Day celebrates an uprising.  New Orleans is being rebuilt despite all levels of government failure and inadequacies, a quiet but gaining momentum uprising of a sort. 

So I invite you, nay challenge you, to celebrate our own uprising!  “How?” you ask?  You’re still displaced in Seattle?  Boston?  Telequah?  Wherever, however, get involved.  Send an email.  Gut a house.  Donate blood.  Preferably, if you’re here, email your city council person about whatever.  Not interested in putting your two cents out there?  Okay, dine at a local restaurant.  Ride the streetcar.  Grab some chalk and draw a fleur de lis on the sidewalk.

Make July 14th a Neo-Bastille Day, as it were.  Rebuild America’s Seductress.  Not everyone’s first choice in ‘things to do today,’ but despite all the poilitcal shenanigans, tomfoolery and hoo-ha, it is happening.

Tulane University boasts it’s largest incoming freshmen class this year ever.  E-v-e-r.  More restaurants are open than before the storm.  Jim Carrey (“I Love You Phillip Morris”) just wrapped shooting a movie here.  And our mayor is going to Panama to complete his world vacation tour (this year China, South Africa were added to his passport), I mean, he’s going to Panama to further sell New Orleans in reference to the impending widening of the Canal – - – really!?  We need to be further sold!?  Like we’re some upstart or IPO.

In the overused words of John Stossel: “Give me a break!”  Even Nell Carter (RIP) knows our lameduck mayor is milking the perks.  But our city moves forward despite the neglect and suggested reimbursements of overstated personal dinings and such.  See: Ray and Seletha’s Lilette anniversary getaway, once a taxpayer’s burden, since rectified as theirs to cover.  But why?  Why can’t Hizzoner know better?  Doesn’t reimbursement spell error?       

Viva la revolution!  Stop putting up with it all.  Acknowledge the opportunity to expose the ridiculous.  Complain.  Bitch.  Raise your voice.  In lieu of the aforementioned at least enjoy a plate of red beans or an oyster po-boy this Bastille Day – a sazerac or mint julep or two couldn’t hurt either.  You love New Orleans, show her how.  In revolt or a toast ~