[Appenianags]

I'm a bit surprised that no one has put this up. I'm hoping that it's just because Dr. King's birthday is not an official holiday in Canada, and not an indication that you've forgotten about us down here in New Orleans, or are assuming that things are 'back to normal' after Katrina.

http://www2.tulane.edu/marsalis011606.cfm

I strongly advise listening to the video. The text is an abridged version, plus the video gives a better approximation of the tremendous impact his speech had live.

[spapsinee]

I don't know about anyone else but my mind is not on Katrina these days, John. If the polls are correct we've got a bigger catastrophe coming tomorrow. Seems that 37% of Canadian voters have gone completely insane.

[finasteridonline]

Thank you John for posting this. We needed reminding. I personally celebrate his short hard life and mourn his untimely death. What could the world have been with at least 30 more years of his love and wisdom? At least with proper scrutiny New Orleans will be brought back to life. We have memories and now dreams which can be fulfilled. Wish us luck here in Canada with our election tomorrow. I suppose there is no news in NO about Canadian politics. I hope were not destined to our Bush clone. Ralph

[Appenianags]

Thanks Ralph. The sentiment is appreciated.

You and Brian both have cause for alarm over todays election. I've been catching up a little over the last few days on Canadian politics, including Andrew Coyne's informative article in the New York Times (you're right though. You really have to dig for this stuff down here).

On the plus side, what you're most likely looking at is exchanging a centrist, minority liberal government for a centrist, minority conservative one. And since Canada has a parliamentary system, a 37% minority isn't much of a mandate. There'll be plenty of opportunities to stand in the way of any regressive changes Harper may make. And remember, these guys have a track record of shooting themselves in the foot. Brian Mulroney roared into office with a huge mandate and left 4 years later the most hated man in the country. And let's not forget Joe Clarke's ignominious exit.

Down here in Jesusland, we've got a president who controls both houses and is well on his way to controlling the supreme court. His stated policies contradict the wishes of the electorate on almost every issue. Poll after poll shows Americans want government health insurance and would be willing to pay more taxes to get it, think we should pull out of Iraq, and think the government should not be able to spy on us without a warrant. Bush's response to all of this is, "screw you. I'm the president. I don't have to obey any laws I don't like."

Meanwhile here in NOLA, a bunch of whiney white people are screaming blue murder over the 'racist' comments made by mayor Ray Nagin in an MLK Day speech, where he called for a return to New Orleans as a majority black city, a "Chocolate City." Interestingly, every white pundit in town is photoshopping Nagin into Willy Wonka. Not one of them got his actual referrence point, which was the 1975 Parliament/Funkadelic hit, "Chocolate City."

Take a listen to the speech and see if you find it offensive. Keep in mind he was speaking to a largely black audience.

http://www.wwltv.com/sharedcontent/V...46812&catId=53

[ReneCM]

The most offensive part of Nagin's speech is the INSANE belief on his part that the hurricane is the act of a vengeful/angry God, which of course, makes no sense at all. Totally batshit. Chocolate City is inane in comparison to that little gem, which is also letting off the hook the people most responsible for the magnitude of the disaster.

EDIT: Doheny, thanks for posting this... Wynton's speech is really something. Enjoyed it very much.

[Appenianags]

Wynton played a set after the speech with his father Ellis on piano, bassist Reginald "Swing Doom" Veal, and drummer Herlin Riley.

Herlin is starting to look a lot like his maternal grandfather, the late drummer Deacon Frank Lastie.

Irvin Mayfield guested on trumpet as well.