Live from New Orleans

I've spent the last week or so here in the Gulf region where Katrina struck with a fury six months ago. I wish I could say there had been a furious relief effort undertaken by any government to help the survivors of Katrina in Misssissippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
A furious effort is being made currently to carry out massive bombing runs in Iraq with unseen and uncared for victims on the ground. Most are innocent and civilian.
Most here in the gulf are also unseen and uncared for...and innocent of all but being poor. Like the Spearhead song says..."it's a crime to be poor in America." And that truth is clearly evident in the many places I've traveled with the veterans and Katrina survivor's Marching to New Orleans action.
We started in Mobile, AL and have finally arrived in New Orleans. In every poor and mostly black community we entered we heard a similar story. They were left to fend for themselves far too long and are still doing so six months later in most cases.
Beautiful people willing to feed and shelter a mostly white coalition accepted us and gave us their stories. The gave us the extra gift of letting us join them in church services if we wanted. For those who took the invitation we heard the glorious voices of praise from young and old in song and in the "word".
People forgotten by so many and yet so generous and giving thanked us for coming into their towns and listening to their story. They didn't spew hate and anger. They voiced love and hurt even as they told us they knew they expected the government to abandon them. Now six months later and several crises later, most of America has forgotten them much as they've forgotten the young men and women being sent to the slaughter in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I see the thousand yard stare of the vets and the survivors much like I saw it in my fellow Vietnam vets back when I was young. I hear the same sadness in the voices.
Tomorrow we will gather in the center part of the city and, as one, call for the government of the people to hear the people. Tomorrow we will join millions to remember the third anniversary of the beginning of the illegal war, the anniversary of the killing of Rachel Corrie and the sixth month of criminal inaction for the people of this region who's biggest crime is poverty and skin color.
Hopefully the nation will hear the voices calling for responsibility and justice but if not we will continue marching to New Orleans. If not, we will march on the government and our forces will grow as will our diversity. The haves will hear from the have nots in a unified voice. And as Prince said in his song to "Mr Man"....we tired of y'all.
Much more to come about this journey but spread the word and join the march whereever and whenever you can. Let's make them responsible to all of the people!