1/06/2007 Community Gumbo

Democracy Now (1/01/07)

From Bolivia to Baghdad: Noam Chomsky on Creating Another World in a Time of War, Empire and Devastation

Left Behind: The Story of New Orleans Public Schools

“Left Behind: The Story of the New Orleans Public Schools” documents a school system which had a dropout rate as high as 70 percent, with only half of the students passing math and reading proficiency tests. Before Hurricane Katrina, there were approximately 60,000 students in the New Orleans public school system, and the school budget was more than $500 million. Post-Katrina, the operating budget is about half as large, the school system has about half the number of students, and – the biggest change – about half of the schools are now being operated by private charter schools, with the majority of the remainder being operated by a Recovery School District after a state takeover. Only a small handful of schools are still being operated by the New Orleans Public School System.

Vincent Morelli is a writer, producer, and co-director of the film (along with writer Jason Berry and executive producer Bobby Moresco).

Related:

American Zombie -- What twisted webs they weave

Metroblogging New Orleans -- Left Behind: Horrors of the Orleans Parish School System

People Get Ready -- Left Behind: The Story of the New Orleans Public School System

Associated Press -- Mayors seek to take charge of schools

Announcements:

Housing Conservation District Review Committee
January 8, 2007
10 a.m., Room 7E07 City Hall
The Committee will consider replacing six four-plex structures in the Hollygrove-Carrollton area with addresses on Palm, Stroelitz, and Cambronne Streets off of Carrollton Avenue with a 48-unit residential apartment building.
More information: Squandered Heritage

Planning District meetings
The last Planning District meetings before the Unified New Orleans Plan finalizes the citywide master rebuilding plan are being held today and next Saturday, 1/14/06. Also, the third and last citywide Community Congress has been postponed from January 13th to January 20th.
More information: UnifiedNewOrleansPlan.org

Democracy Now (1/03/07 excerpt)

As Rudy Giuliani's Secret Presidential Campaign Plan is Revealed, A Look At His Run for the White House & the Untold Story of Giuliani and 9/11

Music Played:

Leadbelly, "I Will Be So Glad When I Get Home," Leadbelly "Live", Document Records, 2004.

Treme Brass Band, "Saints/Mama Don't Allow," I Got a Big Fat Woman, Sound of New Orleans, 1992.

Furry Lewis, "Why Don't You Come Home Blues," The Complete Vintage Recordings, 1927-1929, Document Records, 2003.