Click To Play
Since its Videoblogging week, no better time to go back to New Orleans. This entry is from my second day, where I talk about the conditions at the city lockup.
One Giant Leap for Vloggers
A few seconds ago I heard on the twitter that Josh Wolf is being freed.
Josh Wolf has been in jail for 226 days.
Josh Wolf is a journalist and he does not work for a mainstream media corporation.
Josh Wolf doesn’t know me, but everyday he spent in jail made a difference in my life.
Josh Wolf is my colleague; a vlogger, a journalist, a critical independent voice.
Thank you Josh.
Recomendations Before Centralia
Long long journey to Centralia, PA today was quite interesting but also very exhausting, but I’ll tell you all about it after I get some sleep.
Now in the third week of my longest visit to the US in 5 years, almost every hour of every day is programmed for visiting someone or someplace. Its always the same old problem, no time left for anything. Trying to find out more on the earthquake in the pacific, reading the news as it comes off the wire.
At any rate, plenty of stories, issues, and audio-visuals in the can for you this month. For now, I do what I know you enjoy, I recommend two things:
1– On Point with Tom Ashbrook had my favorite mayor, Salt Lake City’s Rocky Anderson was the guest and he says such excellent things that make me wish so much that cities all over the world had mayors like him. But don’t take my word for it, if you can’t go visit Salt Lake, at least give a listen to the podcast.
2– Ryan is Hungry teaches how we can compost even if we don’t have a yard. (thankfully I have a rare amsterdam yard) With the help of a composting MC.. or MC compost as she’s likely known.. you can see the step-by-step of how to compost right there in your apartment.
bm195 Fighting for the Wetlands
These days, you won’t often find the mainstream media talking about the rebuilding process in and around new olreans. There is even less of a chance they’ll bring up a widely known yet under reported issue: the destruction of the wetlands in Louisiana.
In this show, my guest Laura of the Common Ground Wetlands Restoration program, sat down with me in the upper nine-ward to talk about just how the relationship between the wetlands and the surrounding region has changed over the past decades and what the volunteers are doing in an effort to counter these changes.
We Discuss:
– The Mississippi River and flooding
– The bayou
– Canals, Levees…
– The oil and gas activity
– Government plans and actions
– What the organization is doing
– Who are the influential players
– What kind of progress has been made
– Information for those interested in volunteering
And I mention a book “Bayou Farewell” as recommended by a reader
Philly Still Loves Me
Philadelphia is some kind of place. The kind of place that always makes me feel so dam welcome and comfy I start to forget what year it is and where I live.
SOmetimes you go to philly to visit with two of your most important people in the world and they know just where to take you and what funny jokes to tell and just the right shade of pink bike for you to ride.
Thats how it worked for me this weekend, and come to think of it, that is how it works every year when I come to Philly for a night or two.
Then there’s that part where they try to convince me to live there. Between their fascinating community, beautiful lady friends, and obese yet charming housecats, it is a struggle to keep saying no. Mostly Id like to just hang out in philly a bit longer before heading back to amsterdam, city that I love and is always on my mind.
But the city itself is worthy of anyone’s time and interest. Some declared it dead in the past few decades, others may have noticed a renaissance, while still others would probably say – hey.. its the same as it ever was…. same as it ever was…
Whatever the case for me it is THAT PLACE. That place where I would hang my hat and ride my bike cautiously down through the streets… that is.. if I HAD to live in the US.
Which I don’t.
Tomorrow its back to New Orleans issues and more of my (non Karl) roving reports.
bm194 Insurance Companies Versus Gulf Coast Residents
During the road trip through the gulf coast, I spent some time with a lovely couple who live in Long Beach, Mississippi. Hurricane Katrina not only destroyed their home, it also erased their entire neighborhood, devastating their community. However after the storm they faced another reckless force.. the insurance companies. This is their story.
We Discuss:
– The day after the storm
– First observations, steps
– What kind of help was available
– The effects on the community
– Finding a place to stay
– Hurricane coverage and the fine print
– Strategy of insurance companies
– FEMA and their trailers
– The case
– The future for the community
– rebuilding or not rebuilding
An article about the case
