[StBernard] Coming Back to St. Bernard

[Westley Annis]

Chad: " My message was to no other resident or former resident other than
Jer or
people who consider to bash St. Bernard with no intension of ever coming
home.  Jer has made that clear to me "

Jerry: I've never bashed St. Bernard Parish Citizens because of personal
choices to make their return to St. Bernard. I love their determination and
fortitude to continue on in the parish.

I am either targeted by you, Chad using an axe to grind. Perhaps you feel
those who made very serious, personal, and gravely, unwanted choices not to
place themselves in what they deem unsafe properties or they have lost their
jobs. They may also be waiting to make their decisions once they get
financial help. If there's ever a situation where one has gone for the
jugular of those who had to make such personal choices, it's this one: So,
the ball is perhaps in your court. 

Does it make a citizen from St. Bernard criminal, unpatriotic or 'deserter'
for having made such an unwanted choice forced upon them by a disaster? I
know what's going on in St. Bernard as much as the rest as I spend a great
deal of time there. "breathe the air?" Is it a "manly thing" to do so? When
was it ever proper (or even courageous) to breathe the "clean" air in St.
Bernard or any other place? Who planned on NOT coming home during
evacuation, then immediately after the storm?

Chad, those who think this way is misguided, confused and disturbed. None of
us should be so proud as to brag that because you made the choice to hunker
down, that you bleed MORE St. Bernard than ANY of us who was born, schooled,
worked, or made their lives more perfect for having lived in St. Bernard
before the storm. After the storm's choices to stick around does not make
one a "war hero". Those who were equally courageous are those po'
unfortunate souls who have had to walk in, salvage their piddling of
possessions, clean the muck and toxins from their humbled abode, cut the
funky grass and even watch their homes reduced to rubble, like me from
having it 60-100% destroyed. I don't care if they lived in California or
Chalmette, Arabi or anyplace in St. Bernard. All had to do it, --THOSE were
our heroes. 

Why you chose to target people you do not like is beyond everyone. It's not
needed, it's highly immature and surely doesn't elevate one's personality to
a likeness or a fondness. I pray that St. Bernard comes back as who in their
right mind would want to see a place that one chose over 30 yrs. To live
want to see a desolated, hurricane decimated place like my beloved parish
not do so? There's no logic in such an argument. Compared with 18 months
ago, St. Bernard Parish is eons away from what it now has become. However,
like many, in my opinion I believe such destruction's recovery will not come
overnight--especially since so many have not gotten their
financial/insurance, etc. awards which like the parish government themselves
are in dire need at the moment. 

Therefore, it's intrusive/unnecessary to do what you call "bashing", because
if there's a personal bashing going on, it's not by this writer. (ex.
Political figures, governments, celebrities, etc. are fair game when there's
bad decision making, corruption, or inappropriateness going on). Nothing is
perfect, yet personal attacks aimed at those who have supported, lived
longer in or as long as anyone on this forum (perhaps longevity in St.
Bernard Parish) doesn't make it right in the eyes of readers nor God. So, be
nice and perhaps the Lord will give you just rewards and whatever you
deserve, Chad.

--jer--