How is it possible that we're (New Orleanians!) constantly ignored by the majority of media, except when there's a "story" that's derogatory towards the city in the offing? Just gotta ask that question.

My mother lives overseas, and yet she's able to cast a ballot whenever it's time to vote. So, how, then, is it possible that people moved the whole six hour drive - to Houston, for example - find that they're "disenfranchised"? How is it discriminatory to offer people the opportunity to vote, though they haven't been a resident of the city they're voting in for more than half a year? How is it Not discriminatory to allow them a say on who governs a city that they haven't lived in for more than half a year? Don't you think it gives untoward weight to politicians who are entrenched, rather than the new and responsive candidates who aren't known to refugees, due to their absence?

Those of us who were fortunate enough to return as early as we could have found a twisted world of stress, uncertainty, mismanagement, and complete non-resident ignorance and have been forced to accept disenfranchisement for almost three months - our elections were supposed to be held at the end of Feb. We've been "governed" by those whose ineptitude, and more to the point, bickering led us to and dragged us through the crisis of corruption, unresponsive government, and poor policing that are the blots on the escutcheon of powerful, beautiful, and wonderful New Orleans. I'm very sorry if people who've found their homes destroyed, or their lives upset by the mishandling of emergency services on the part of their country aren't happy that they must mail their ballots, or email, or call the Louisiana Secretary of State (Al Ater, fyi) in order to get info about how to cast their vote, but quite honestly, if they aren't here, and they can't find a way to return, they're residents of where they've landed. That is just a fact.

Texas is going to have an important election for governour that can kick out their Corruptocratic "leader" and put in a real reformer. Since our neighbours in the Lone Star State have shown us so much love, why not return the favour by freeing them from their misery {read Republican cronies of Connecticut Yankee G.W. Bush), while allowing the people of New Orleans who've returned to cast informed votes on the circumstances that affect them daily? It's not the same city, and if we want the good things to return, we must get rid of those who brought us to the dire state we found ourselves in.

Thank you for you article, and your kindness. It's truth.

When I'm sure that the majority of these states used flawed vote counting procedures? IF the 'tard was able to steal two presidential elections, and quite boldly, why would any of you think that the Republican magic show can't change local elections from blue to red in just the same way? Watch the exit polls, and watch what the results are. Let's see if there's a "shocking" trend... And we're Still waiting for help here in New Orleans.

To be told all about the city in which you live by someone who doesn't even know the blocks of the Vieux Carre. To be honest with you, I'd hoped to be able to vent some of my truly simmering pot of rage at another ignorant "truth teller" who'd knock down the city I love from the stunning heights of his towering intellect, and with the icy cool sang froid of an east coast/west coast hipster, but I just can't get the will to do so. Takes too much effort, and I'm saving that for loving this city and it's ways, and to spending my time sharing my joy with those who've never been here before and Don't know that how quiet it is now is Not the norm, but rather the result of the ignorance of those who say we're gone and will never return, and an incompetent and immoral administration. On the other hand, if you'd really like to see a depression era city, now would be the time to visit.... By the way, was that a book review, an opinion piece, or were y'all just sharing the enlightement received at the top of the mountain?

And so much pain. It's begun to feel as if that is how an American is supposed to feel, nothing but an empty space, and only sorrow with which to fill it... 9/11, Iraq, and New Orleans all in less than five years, more than 6000 Americans dead from lies, from hubris, from greed, and from the most rank incompetence... Only ash in our mouths, and sorrow... And from what direction will our succor come?

Perhaps "sexual immorality" would be in being gay, as God made you, while denying it, and vilifying gays.

Or, maybe it's rape. Or child rape. Or bestiality. Or genital mutilation. Or denying others their right to make decisions about their own sexuality/bodies. All of those sound pretty immoral to me. More immoral, in fact, than two people having a relationship with one another. I suspect that the things I mentioned are more damaging to the psyches, and souls of those involved than homosexuality could ever be. Judge not, gerry.

Rev. Jonathan Weiss