Politico: What if Bush had done that?
When compared to his predecessor, is President Barack Obama getting preferential treatment from the media? That's the question Josh Gerstein aims to answer in an article for Politico, framing it around the president's recent trip to New Orleans.
"As a candidate, Obama railed against the Bush administration for abandoning and then neglecting the people of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. He made five campaign trips to the city," Gerstein writes. "But as president, Obama waited almost nine months before visiting the Big Easy, spent less than four hours on the ground there and then jetted to San Francisco for a $3 million Democratic fundraiser."
It's a peculiar question for Gerstein, considering President George W. Bush was in fact heavily derided for his first trip to New Orleans after he flew over, rather than stopped at, the city when surveying the damage in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Gerstein is trying to make a point -- that Obama can get away with things that past presidents may have not been able to simply because of his popularity -- but it seems misplaced to bring New Orleans into this "what-if game."
The White House has said the president shouldn't be judged by how many miles Obama walks here at ground zero, but by the action taken by the administration.
Do you think Bush would have been lampooned if he was under Obama's circumstances? Do you think the amount of time a president spends in the city is even important? Let us know in the comments below.
NPR: Toxic Chinese Drywall Creates A Housing Disaster
The Chinese Drywall headache that may cost thousands of Louisianians their homes is the subject of an NPR story.
One Florida family's story is similar to those that we've heard across Louisiana. After finding out their home was built with toxic Chinese drywall, the family was stuck between two hard, expensive places.
"About three weeks ago, they moved out of their house and took an apartment," Greg Allen writes for NPR. "Now, Gonzalez is wondering how to pay rent and, at the same time, a mortgage for a house they can't live in."
As we've reported before, right now no one can be sure just who is going to pay for these damages: the federal or state government, China or the homeowners.
National Post: Beyond the gumbo: A gastronomic tour of New Orleans
Lesley Chesterman toured several of the city's finest restaurants to figure out how exactly they managed to come back.
"This is a city where food culture rivals its famous music culture - its Creole cuisine is recognized as one of America's most authentic and local seafood is served in everything from the fanciest restaurants to the humblest fry shacks," Chesterman writes. "It's also a city that's been through hell and is still struggling to rebuild. Happily, the restaurant sector is one that's back in action."
Chesterman spoke with the owners of Herbsaint, Mandina's and Dooky Chase, looking at the emotional and financial toll the disaster took on them. While they all spoke of great challenges, Chesterman suggests it may all be worth it.
"It may be 'the new normal' in New Orleans, but judging by the crowds on Bourbon St., the wait for tables at upscale restaurants like August and Bayona, and lines at popular haunts like the Acme Seafood Bar for oysters, the Central Grocery store for muffuletta sandwiches, the Cafe du Monde for icing sugar-doused beignets, and Aunt Sally's for pralines, it appears the Big Easy's food scene is back on track."
Variety: Pros pick best places for filmmaking
What comes to mind when film executives and crews are asked about ideal shooting locations? Apparently it's Louisiana.
The state polled fifth in an online survey conducted by Variety on the best locations in the country to film. California and New York lead the list.
But what keeps the industry coming back? The Benjamins of course.
"[The] state's main attraction may be its 35% transferable tax credit coupled with large studio and stage facilities."
