# Crackpipe Ray Nagin Lambastes Fed Govt.-NOLA Still A Mess! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 27, 2006, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399 "2006-08-27T12:27:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399/21 "2006-08-28T14:17:47Z")
> [@The King of Soup](#): > > So where did our illustrious **ralph124c** come up with such a clever put-down? Surely not from the mere fact that crack cocaine use is more strongly associated with black Americans than other demographics? I thought it was unwarranted too, until someone brought up Nagin’s “chocolate — oops, I mean MILK chocolate ysr” comments. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399/22 "2006-08-28T14:42:01Z")
> [@Exgineer](#): > > Wrong. > > The levees fall under the jurisdiction of dozens of local committees who are responsible for maintenance and inprovements out of allocated funds, most of which just evaporate. Not the most massive engineering failure, but one of the best examples of political corruption in the history of this country, and it’s been going on for 300 years. No, actually, I am not. Like most people who are commenting on the aftermath of Katrina, you only have one small piece of information and are extrapolating from it. **Squink** ’s post goes into more detail on exactly HOW you are wrong. The levee boards were havens of political corruption to be sure, but there is no evidence that any of their behavior contributed to the failure of the levees. It was a design flaw, and a lack of priority being placed on protecting the city on a national level despite warnings for years that a catastrophe such as this could occur. We don’t have a system similar to the Norwegians simply because no one in power thought it was important enough to pay for. Other things, such as wars justified on the basis of lies, have been more important. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399/23 "2006-08-28T14:44:54Z")
> [@The King of Soup](#): > > The big problem _ **here** _ (meaning the SDMB) is the sheer number of posters who don’t notice or don’t care that one of us has decided to vomit up “crackpipe Ray Nagin” as an appellation for a black public official whose history records _no_ personal involvement with any illicit drug use. > > So where did our illustrious **ralph124c** come up with such a clever put-down? Surely not from the mere fact that crack cocaine use is more strongly associated with black Americans than other demographics? That would be just raise-the-CSA-flag-and-then-drop-dead-because-you-forgot-to-breathe stupid. Lord knows, the Marion Berry example _isn’t_ enough to prove that _all_ black men, even politically successful ones, smoke crack. In the absence of evidence, one must look for other reasons for **ralph** to have chosen _this particular method_ of characterizing a black man he doesn’t like (or know, or even know _about_, but that’s a problem for another day and a battery of abnormal psychologists). Since I’m assuming our friend isn’t just a brain-dead-unthinking-bigoted-product-of-his-own-sister’s-womb-nine-months-to-the-day-after-the-Christmas-morning-culmination-of-his-father’s-fourteen-year-patience, there has to be another explanation. Otherwise, Nagin may be the worst mayor in the planet’s history, and I’d vote for him for president before I shook hands with the OP. Thank you, **The King of Soup**. I agree completely. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399/24 "2006-08-28T14:46:14Z")
> [@Batsinma Belfry](#): > > That was the same response he gave Amtrak, when they offered to evacuate the remaining residents, before the storm hit. Do you have a cite for this? ---
**Author:** ![The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_King_of_Soup)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399/25 "2006-08-28T14:47:47Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > I thought it was unwarranted too, until someone brought up Nagin’s “chocolate — oops, I mean MILK chocolate ysr” comments. And then everything was okay by you? ---
**Author:** ![Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/48db29/32.png) [@Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Key_Lime_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399/26 "2006-08-28T14:51:01Z")
> [@The King of Soup](#): > > The big problem _here_ (since few of us are NOLA voters) is not a poor decision or even several of them on the part of a noisy local politician. The big problem _ **here** _ (meaning the SDMB) is the sheer number of posters who don’t notice or don’t care that one of us has decided to vomit up “crackpipe Ray Nagin” as an appellation for a black public official whose history records _no_ personal involvement with any illicit drug use. Exactly what I came in to post about. No white public official, no matter how incompetent, would ever be called “Crackpipe”. This is really offensive. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399/27 "2006-08-28T14:53:26Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Do you have a cite for these claims? I did see a TV news story on it at some point, I believe on CNN, about the delays caused by the shortage of EPA inspectors, since each home would have to be inspected before it was allowed to be razed by one of the four price-gouging contractors hired by FEMA.\* And since the New Orleans debris removal contractors were federally hired, they had to follow the rules as far as getting inspections prior to razing; the story I saw said that in Mississippi a number of smaller towns just brought in their own bulldozers and did it unofficially without waiting for inspections. I remember it quite clearly because I was so disgusted by the layers of bureaucracy that seem to overlay everything to do with the NOLA cleanup. Of course, “I saw it” is not an adequate cite, I realize. So I did a quick googling just now; I don’t have time for a more intensive search, but here’s a 5/17/06 [Times Picayune article](http://www.nola.com/newslogs/tpupdates/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_tpupdates/archives/2006_05_17.html) about a slight different but closely related issue, the delays and the scaling back of debris removal because of concerns about its toxins and which landfills to use/not use. \*I say price-gouging because it’s been pretty clearly exposed that the taxpayers were totally ripped off [price gouging](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060819/ap_on_go_pr_wh/katrina_promises) by the four contractors hired by FEMA to actually do the cleanup. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399/28 "2006-08-28T14:54:25Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > As a native Louisianan, I can’t take up for Nagin that much except that he is about the most sensible choice that could reasonably be elected by an impoverished, majority minority populace. He is no Marion Barry for example. Still, he is a MAYOR. They don’t have that much power. The governor is the chief executive of the state and the one with the power to get things done. She has failed at every single opportunity since Katrina was 5 days away and those of us on this board were starting to scream what she should be doing. She has blood on her hands from not having the first clue of what her powers are in terms of mobilizing the LA National Guard and starting the disaster relief processes at the federal level. Nagin is a small fish and doesn’t have much to do with anything except fodder for more laughter at the national level. (Sorry for the ongoing post run - what is this, four in a row?) I have to agree here. I’ve regretted the vote I cast for Blanco probably more than any since I’ve cast. Our other choice in the election was Bobby Jindal, and I can’t help but think the state would be better off had he been in office. Blanco, I believe, has done her best, but she’s bumbled around like the slightly confused retired schoolteacher that she is. She allowed her personal animosity for Ray Nagin to interfere with coordination of evacation, rescue, and recovery activities in New Orleans. I almost feel that she’s letting him dangle in the wind now while she focuses on the rest of the state. I can’t even blame the lack of federal response immediately post-Katrina on the fact that she’s a Democrat, as people in Mississippi were suffering for just as long if not longer before relief rolled in. It’s apparent that neither she nor anyone on her staff knew who to call or what to do to get things in motion. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399/29 "2006-08-28T15:05:27Z")
I was living in NOLA during that election, and for the only time thus far in my life, I voted Republican for governor. (My grandpappy would roll over in his grave; his instructions to me when I was old enough to vote were, “Be sure and vote Democratic!”) So I can safely say: I voted for Jindal, not Blanco, so I can bitch about her all I want! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399/30 "2006-08-28T15:21:39Z")
> [@The King of Soup](#): > > And then everything was okay by you? I’m torn between “turnabout’s fair play” and “an eye for an eye leaves everyone blind”. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399/31 "2006-08-28T15:24:41Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > I’m torn between “turnabout’s fair play” and “an eye for an eye leaves everyone blind”. How about 'One man’s racism is an adequate excuse for the next man’s"? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399/32 "2006-08-28T15:57:56Z")
> [@Key Lime Guy](#): > > Exactly what I came in to post about. No white public official, no matter how incompetent, would ever be called “Crackpipe”. This is really offensive. I deal with a lot of people who smoke crack. Many are black many are white. It’s been pretty common in my experience to jokingly ask someone “Are you on crack?” if they start talking crazy. I would not be so quick to call the OP racist with just this as evidence. ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399/33 "2006-08-28T16:49:02Z")
> [@lisacurl](#): > > Do you have a cite for this? It was on the news a couple of days after the storm, CNN, Fox News, or one of the networks. They ran a story about Amtrak announcing that they were returning to NOLA to help out. An Amtrak spokesperson mentioned that they weren’t allowed to help before the storm, and they were going to do as much as they could in the aftermath, (not the actual quote). Then the News Anchor mentioned that Amtrak had called Nagin’s office the day before the storm hit, and offered the use of one of their trains before they closed the local station. Nagin declined the offer. ---
**Author:** ![BabaBooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@BabaBooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabaBooey)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399/34 "2006-08-28T17:15:43Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I deal with a lot of people who smoke crack. Many are black many are white. It’s been pretty common in my experience to jokingly ask someone “Are you on crack?” if they start talking crazy. I would not be so quick to call the OP racist with just this as evidence. Ditto. I recall several times in the past seeing King of Soup assume racism in pretty innocent comments. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399/35 "2006-08-28T17:22:12Z")
> [@Batsinma Belfry](#): > > It was on the news a couple of days after the storm, CNN, Fox News, or one of the networks. They ran a story about Amtrak announcing that they were returning to NOLA to help out. An Amtrak spokesperson mentioned that they weren’t allowed to help before the storm, and they were going to do as much as they could in the aftermath, (not the actual quote). Then the News Anchor mentioned that Amtrak had called Nagin’s office the day before the storm hit, and offered the use of one of their trains before they closed the local station. Nagin declined the offer. In other words, you don’t have an actual cite, just a year-old memory of a news report. That’s okay, [I found it for you](http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/13/katrina.response/index.html). It might be true. It also might be a case of Amtrak calling the mayor’s office and saying, “Hey, we’re pulling our trains out in an hour if you want to get some folks here, we can evacuate them.” I’m not claiming that the city’s evacuation plan was good, but you can’t just round up 900 people and throw 'em on a train at the drop of a hat. Nagin claims that Amtrak evacuations are part of the plan now. We’ll see. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399/36 "2006-08-28T17:50:40Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Do you have a cite for these claims? From the official [EPA Website](http://www.epa.gov/katrina/faqs.htm#9) concerning Asbestos removal, and related issues. This is not in support of **Mama Tiger’s** assertion, but rather directly related information vis a vis asbestos removal proceedures. And, [Why some feel this EPA guideline series is highly misguided/ irresponsible.](http://www.house.gov/list/press/ny08_nadler/BushltrEPAKatrina092105.html) Cartooniverse ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399/37 "2006-08-28T22:48:51Z")
I got into the “crackpipe” thing because Ray doesn’t use his first name. Seriously though, you would think that NOLA would have cut some red tape to get the place rebuilt. Yeah, I know you have to respect property laws…but what about an abandoned house that is unsafe-don’t city governments routinely issue codemnation and teardown orders? It doesn’t appear that NOLA has done much since the disaster…I hear the city is down to less than half the former population-doesn’t that mean fewer problems? If they want to rebuild, Nagn doesn’t exactly inspire confidence 😕 ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399/38 "2006-08-29T02:18:03Z")
This belongs in the Pit. Off it goes. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399/39 "2006-08-29T02:33:28Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > If they want to rebuild, Nagn doesn’t exactly inspire confidence 😕 Just compare the progress Nagin’s made in NO over the past year to the progress Bush has made in rebuilding Iraq over the same period. You will be _filled_ with confidence in the Mayor’s Leadership! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399/40 "2006-08-29T02:34:10Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > …Nagn doesn’t exactly inspire confidence 😕 You expect him somehow to make up with leadership what he lacks in power and money? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crackpipe-ray-nagin-lambastes-fed-govt-nola-still-a-mess/370399.md?page=3)