July 8, 2007

• Wow, only two posts in June! I have had very little posting time for the last few months. I hope I can get back on a palatable track soon. I have had so many notions, too, of different posts, but have had so precious little time to even read the things you write – the most imprtant thing. I especially want to post some of the comic strip that …chelle mentioned where she is a character. I also want to laud my lone subscriber in July (baychimo) with recognition (a great short story writer) and hopefully get him traffic from you guys. Also to thank him. I have been xanga-ing for several years, and still have only two months without new subscribers. Anyway, today I am still at a time squeeze. For my post, I copied something I was sent on Yahoo. It seems poignant, so want to include it here. Thanks everyone. Hope you are having a spirited and enjoyable summer.

  
  

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  Dear CC…,
  
  A majority of pre-Katrina New Orleans residents (and pretty much all
  former residents of the Ninth Ward) won’t be able to celebrate the
  4th of July back at home because there is still very little
  affordable housing in the area.
  
  As members of a church that values social justice and urban ministry,
  I thought you might like to call your Senator to ask him or her to
  support the Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act (S. 1668), as described
  below. The contact below is for my own Senators, but you can reach
  yours by calling the Senate Switchboard (202-224-3121) and asking for
  your Senator (for MA or whichever other state you might call home).
  
  Have a happy 4th of July! (And I promise this is my first and last e-
  mail this week, in case you consider this spam. )
  
  Blessings in Christ,
  Ada
  
  
  
  
  >
  > Dear Ada,
  > You’ve seen the coverage: the Superdome, the water rising,
  > residents stranded on rooftops. Two years into the human rights
  > disaster of Hurricane Katrina, less than half of New Orleans
  > residents have returned. Thousands remain displaced because of an
  > absence of affordable housing, with rent increases up more than 40%
  > and the majority of public housing still shuttered. While most of
  > those public units were barely affected by Katrina, 80% are closed
  > and facing demolition.
  >
  > People nationwide are urged to support the struggle of New Orleans
  > residents and grassroots organizations, including residents of
  > public housing, to uphold their right to return and ensure that the
  > Senate passes a bill that reflects the needs articulated by
  > Residents of Public Housing.
  >
  > Your Senators can help bring us home. Call them today and ask them
  > to support the Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act (S. 1668).
  >
  > Sen. Richard Lugar
  > Phone: (202) 224-4814
  > Sen. Evan Bayh III
  > Phone: (202) 224-5623
  >
  > Here’s a sample phone script to use when you place your call:
  >
  > Sample Phone Script:
  > As your constituent, I am calling to ask that you support the Gulf
  > Coast Housing Recovery Act (S. 1668). In addition to the
  > protections that are in the proposed legislation, I urge you to
  > consider including the following provisions in the final bill:
  >
  > Immediate reopening of all public housing that was available pre-
  > Katrina
  > Right of return for all pre-Katrina residents to their units or
  > developments
  > Right to relocation assistance
  > No demolition
  > Extension of the rental assistance programs
  > Requirements that HUD contract with an independent research entity
  > to conduct a survey of those who resided in New Orleans public
  > housing prior to Katrina, guided by the residents themselves
  > Thank you for your consideration of this important legislation.
  >
  > Once you’ve made your call, let us know how it went. Thank you for
  > helping bring displaced New Orleans residents home.
  >
  
  > From New Orleans,
  >
  > Odessia J. Lewis
  > Lafitte Public Housing Project
  > New Orleans, Louisiana

  
  

  take care, jthep

  • 7:08 pm
  • 13 Comments