[StBernard] We Agree on One Thing

[Westley Annis]

You disagree with me? No way!!!!  I can tell you one thing I never said and
that is St. Bernard is a losing cause, not sure who you got that from or if
you are still making stuff up but that did not come from me.

I will however AGREE with you that the upcoming elections in St. Bernard are
huge, either way I think we are coming back as a community, but how quickly
greatly depends on who is leading us.  I personally hope Craig Taffaro
decides to run for Parish President, you will see me helping in anyway to
get elected.  He is the only official who makes sure the public knows what
is going on in the parish to the best of his ability and he obviously works
as hard as anyone, he could be like others and decide to lay low and only
take care of his family but he surely does not do it that way.  Of course
this is my opinion living down here and reading this message board daily.

Chad

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Chad, I will disagree with you here. St. Bernard Parish is NOT A LOSING
CAUSE--regardless of being thrown to the wolves by the FEDs, State and
people in power who don't give a fraze, nor people who have forgotten it's
fight with will to survive. I believe that the parish will rise at the
growth it can, considering the circumstances of a card hand in which it was
dealt. The people of St. Bernard (no matter where they now reside) have such
fortitude and determination to see it succeed to at least recovery and
beyond that.  There's no question about it. It's people are unique and
courageous. The next election will determine where its real future lies.
Good leadership needs to step up to lead/continue to lead those who made the
choice to rebuild. I don't know where St. Tammany is (smile), but I see it
did take in a considerable amount of parishioners. I also believe that
misplacements for those who have made a hard choice (whether it was for
safety or emotional health, especially in the oil spill area) has St.
Bernard citizens spreading the word, culture and memories of fabulous years.
That's the way I see it. In the vein of Islenos leaving their island a
couple centuries ago to settle in St. Bernard, was as history reports is and
WAS a good thing. As a result of its people being separated, there is a
culture spanning the oceans. St. Bernard Parish even reached out to
celebrate its culture yearly (and daily) in St. Bernard and with that said,
might I add that visits to the islands by both native Islenos and locals
here If we look positively here, many St. Bernardians have colonized areas
from miles to hundreds of miles beyond its border. Any other logic is flawed
and inexcusable. St. Bernardians now, St. Bernardians forever no matter
where they live and it's a damn lie to believe one has to have a order to be
called St. Bernardian. When my father arrived from Sicily he didn't stop
bleeding "Sicilian" when he was cut. Now and forever,  one from a culture
will carry that culture a lifetime. If you don't believe me, check out the
African-American, Cajuns, Polish, whatever and how their belief in culture
preservation can be as strong as bridge cable in cohesiveness. Remember,
Chad: There is NO perfect St. Bernardian regardless of his/her geographical
placement or domicile. Pride however for one's love of identity, makes the
imperfection better as medicine for an illness treats one's infirmary.

--jer--