Battered N.O. OKs razing public housing

[Kadie]

Battered N.O. OKs razing public housing
By CAIN BURDEAU, Associated Press Writer
15 minutes ago



NEW ORLEANS - Despite occasionally violent protests outside, the City Council voted Thursday in favor of demolishing some 4,500 public housing units, a milestone in the city's effort to balance its heritage and its hurricane rebuilding efforts.

The unanimous vote to permit the federal government to tear down four public housing developments — a critical moment in a protracted fight between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and residents, activists and preservationists — followed hours of debate and periodic clashes in the street.

Police used chemical spray and stun guns as dozens of protesters tried to force their way into the packed City Council chamber. One woman was sprayed and dragged from the gates. Emergency workers took her away on a stretcher.

Another woman said she was stunned by officers, and still had what appeared to be a Taser wire hanging from her shirt.

"I was just standing, trying to get into my City Council meeting," said the dazed woman, Kim Ellis, who was taken away in an ambulance.

more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071221/ap_on_re_us/katrina_public_housing_27

[TommyO]

1. the racial cleansing of New Orleans has just picked up steam.

ARGH!!!!

[mogster]

4. Gentrification

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentrification

It is a well established factor in capitalism takeover, always disfavoring poor people.

BTW, who edits the wikipedia these days, I wonder? Here's capitalism's clean up of the term:
---- Commercial start ------
Often initiated by private capital, gentrification has been linked to reductions in crime rates, increased property values, increased tolerance of sexual minorities<4>, and renewed community activism.(citation needed)
---- Commercial end ------

I have posted a link to this wiki before, then the interpretation was entirely different.

[Jim Lane]

12. Wikipedia is presenting both sides

You quote from a paragraph that begins "Proponents of gentrification...." and that summarizes the proponents' arguments. The next paragraph begins "Critics of gentrification...." and summarizes their arguments. Full article here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentrification

Wikipedia is supposed to be "fair and balanced", unlike some faux media I could mention, and also unlike a board like DU, that has a definite point of view. A Wikipedia article about a controversial subject should summarize the major opinions about it, including the conservative opinion(s).

[bobbolink]

7. Of course. Where are the voices of the middleclass in support? Where are the clergy?

Where are all the civil rights groups?

WHERE IS ANY OUTSIDE SUPPORT FOR THOSE WHO ARE LOSING THEIR HOUSING?

WHERE WILL THEY GO?

[Leopolds Ghost]

9. Here in DC, even Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) can't find consensus

To lobby for an increase in low-to-moderate income rental housing -- properly defined. Only to preserve what exists. Improperly defined -- there is no consensus to bring back the poor or working class. No consensus even in the most liberal congregations. Wealth is a mark of moral, not just material success. "Saving" public housing is so controversial it has to be put in scare quotes.

Fact is, most Americans think that the fewer people are in public housing or welfare, the better. They think it somehow improves them to live on the street, or in worse conditions in the suburbs, provided they "rejoin the workforce" because they imagine nobody with a job in the US could possibly be poor enough to need assistance, much less starve.

They've always had this Calvinist mentality. Remember the people in the Depression who refused to go "on the dole" and ostracized their neighbors that did? They'd rather lose their belongings and starve, to prove how self reliant they are.

[bobbolink]

11. Your words are exactly right----------------AND Heartbreaking!

I will go further and say, your words apply to many on DU, and in "progressive" circles, too!

They care about the war, the environment, gay marriage, animal rights, etc. But poverty? Housing? Pah. "Let 'em eat cake" seems to be the norm.

I've had to reread your words 3 times now.... so well and succinctly put. May I have your permission to quote you to a couple of church groups? Really, you have zeroed in on the sad truth.

[bobbolink]

13. Meanwhile, people suffer and die. And the "debate" rages on....

ever so.... "productively"....

Thanks for the insight, Leopold's Ghost.

Although it makes me very sad, and hopeless feeling.

I guess it's time for the muddleclass to fold, and wake up to reality.

I betcha that'll cure the "debate".

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

14. Racial cleansing can't be good for the mayor's career

Why is he backing this?

[Leopolds Ghost]

2. UNANIMOUS

What do the City, State, Federal, Nat'l Democratic candidates have to say about this? Hmm?

Oh, you want to ask them about the war and not make them accountable for THIS? :grr:

All the goddamn apathetic "ex-liberals" who support this -- and
the DLC which controls the majority of the Big Cities and commands
the loyalty of most upper middle class urban blacks and whites --
can go to hell, IMHO.

It's all about the property values.

Don't believe me, get on city-data.com some time or one of the other
"urban living" web logs.

They are the US version of postcommunist neoliberals filling a
kleptocratic void -- in short, Reaganites.

AND THEY VOTE DEM just like the Dixiecrats!!!

[Leopolds Ghost]

3. What can DU do?

Why do NOLA threads sink like a stone these days?

[NOLALady]

5. I really don't know what DU can do.

I do know if/when the call comes out from New Orleans for support, I will drive over there.

[Leopolds Ghost]

10. I hope to be there in January again. n/t

[otohara]

6. Watch Today's Democracy Now and Prepare to Be

outraged again. Disabled and poor women being tasered by cops the size of many football players. City Council had no intentions of listening to these people. They made up their minds before hearing concerns from the poor folks who live there.

[Leopolds Ghost]

8. they hate the poor. the New South wants to kill the Old New Orleans