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September 10, 2005
New Orleans Will Rise Again
More proof you cannot keep a Southerner down. Probably one of my favorite memories of New Orleans is the incredible food. You really have to work at it to get a bad meal there.
Amid all the news of devastation and destruction, New Orleans' restauranteurs are busily making plans to rebuild. And it comes as no surprise to anyone familiar with the breed that delicate Southern women are not taking 'no' for an answer:
Members of the Brennan family, which owns Commander's Palace and a dozen other New Orleans restaurants, have set up a new base of operations at their restaurant in Houston."My Aunt Ella and my mom have informed me that we are going to rebuild," Brad Brennan said by phone from Las Vegas, where he runs a branch of the chain. "And because they are the matriarchs, and they're strong women, we will rebuild it. We're not offered a choice on this. They are the command, and the waters will part. And we'll make it bigger and better than before. I do believe that."
Generations of Southerners inured to privation and hardship after the Late Unpleasantness haven't lost their sense of humor either. Hurricane Katrina is getting a taste of the same ironic, in-your-face sass once shown to Yankee carpetbaggers:
It came as no surprise that the folks at Antoine's on St. Louis Street, the place that claims it invented oysters Rockefeller, would not use just ordinary plywood to cover up the elegant French doors that line the first floor. The plywood was painted purple, yellow and green, giving it a decidedly Mardi Gras feel even in the worst of times.
Restaurant owner Rick Blount speaks well for the spirit of the South: a region that has known hardship, pain, and tragedy, but somehow valiantly manages to keep rising above it all:
"My great-great grandfather started the restaurant just before the Civil War," said Blount, "and we have managed to survive the Civil War, two world wars, the Depression and Prohibition. We will be able to survive Katrina."
Way to go, New Orleans. Somehow, I know you'll do it.
And we'll do everything in our power to help you. Nothing in God's whole creation can keep you down.
Posted by Cassandra at September 10, 2005 12:51 PM
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Comments
New Orleans should reemerge smaller,leaner,and cleaner.Not sure where the city limits should be, but there is no way in hell we should finance another welfare state between the Lake and the River.My favorite memories are of the Quarter anyway.The rest was a cesspool.
Greg
Posted by: Greg at September 10, 2005 08:56 PM
Kinder words there aren't Cassandra and I'm sure New Orleaners appreciate it a lot. Back when Hurricane Iniki struck Hawaii in 9/11/02, there's was that numbness that enveloped the air when you stepped outside and saw what you saw. Just the sheer immensity of the hurricane's destruction. I forget though duely followed with a sense of rebuilding.
Posted by: RONW at September 10, 2005 09:31 PM
Allow me to correct that: I "won't" forget the community's sense to rebuilt. Mahalo.
Posted by: RONW at September 10, 2005 09:39 PM
I hate to put it this way, but as I follow the news I am getting the disturbing impression that New Orlean's worst problem is the continuous strategy by LA of viewing its people as the problem and not its best asset.
It is foolish to be driving out those who want to rebuild.
Posted by: MaxedOutMama at September 11, 2005 12:39 PM
Makin' me want some Jambalaya...OOH, HEY!!!
Posted by: camojack at September 12, 2005 04:03 AM