Anything that happens in New Orleans is an appropriate topic for this site, given the city’s cultural significance. What is happening in southeast Louisiana and the Gulf Coast will undoubtedly be the story of the year.
It’s interesting how the story has evolved over the course of a week. Last weekend, it was concern. Then, relief, when it appeared that N.O. had dodged the worse. Shock, when the floods came. Outrage at the conditions in the city. Anger at the pace of the official response, particularly at the federal level.
There are times when incompetence and mendacity cease to be funny. That’s precisely the time for gifted writers to sharpen their wits to a razor’s edge and plunge them straight into the throat of authority.
Not to play favorites (even if they are my favorites), but I would like to put a spotlight on the efforts of Wonkette and Talking Points Memo. They, and other blogs, have served as useful clearinghouses of information, as well as providing pointed commentary.
I’m not fond of uninformed outrage. I’m sure you’ve seen people who are worked up into a lather, but who are unclear about what they’re mad about. I’d much rather be fully informed about the sins committed, so that I can direct my anger with laser-like precision.
No matter how mad you get, ridicule is always a good option. Satire, irony and venomous sarcasm — when properly applied — can be a baseball bat to the head of a deserving target. There have certainly been some deserving motherfuckers this week.