FIVE murders in New Orleans early on Saturday morning.

Police Investigating Murder of Five

New Orleans police are investigating the apparent shooting deaths of five teenagers in an early morning incident at the intersection of Danneel and Josephine streets in Central City. New Orleans Police Department Capt. John Bryson said at an 11 a.m. news conference Saturday that police had no suspects but believed, based on the gruesome and brazen nature of the crime, that the incident was sparked by drug dealing or was a retaliatory killing. Officers from the 2nd and 6th police districts responded about 4 a.m. Saturday to reports of shots fired.

They found a Ford Explorer that had hit a pole. Inside were two men, ages 17 and 18, and a 16-year-old boy, each with multiple gunshot wounds.

A fourth victim, age 19, was found lying on a sidewalk, also with multiple gunshot wounds. A fifth man, age 19, who also had been shot died later Saturday morning after being taken to a local hospital in critical condition. The last victim had been found lying in the street a short distance from the vehicle. The other four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.



The New Orleans Police Department is asking anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll free at 1 (877) 903-7867. Callers may remain anonymous, and can receive up to $2,500 for tips that lead to an indictment.

Moving back to New Orleans

An acquaintance sent this to several of us. I read it as a joke, but he confirmed. It is great people are moving back to New Orleans, but this man is taking his family back so he can have hot sauce on the table and drink on the street? Do they get any dumber?

After months of living in exile with long stretches of sadness, we decided to move back home. Leaving San Diego after 9 months will be very hard as I have a good job, we made met nice people, and kids seem to be pretty happy, but as they say "the Buick is packed". As soon as the school year ends we're heading back to New Orleans. A lot of variables played into our decision but nothing more than having a bottle of Crystal Hot Sauce on the table and joining a second line parade down Dryades. You know what I am talking about! Don't dwell on the violent crime rates, corrupt education system, unemployment, racism and poverty—that is just being negative. Tell me where else but New Orleans is stumbling down the street with a bottle of MadDog, celebrated so much? This will be our first trip back to town, we are prepared for some changes. Rents went up a bit and jobs are scarce but I'm willing to put the time in for a decent job.

I am confident you will soar with references from Jack Daniels and Jim Bean. Best of luck and give us a ring when you get settled.

Governor Kathleen Blanco reelection Campaign

Gov Blanco's Re-election campaign speeches: HE DID IT, SHE DID IT, HE DID IT, SHE DID IT, HE DID IT, SHE DID IT, HE DID IT, SHE DID IT, HE DID IT, SHE DID IT, HE DID IT, SHE DID IT, HE DID IT, SHE DID IT, HE DID IT, SHE DID IT, HE DID IT, SHE DID IT, HE DID IT, SHE DID IT, HE DID IT, SHE DID IT, HE DID IT, SHE DID IT...

The team that NOLA forgot, before the season began

The first pre-season game didn't even end and another failed season was being spewed by the sportscasters. Today's paper goes over all the reasons why The Saints suck instead of looking at it for what it is, pre-season football. It doesn't count. They can get better. With all that said, here is a revised bumper sticker for your car or window. Display it proudly.

Only in New Orleans - part of a series

Here's something you don't see in New Orleans.

When wandering around the country I notice that a library is often the focal point of a community; its not uncommon to find people reading inside a theater, while riding the bus or even walking on the avenue. People ask each other, "so what are you reading?" Reading is encouraged.

So I started to wonder if anybody reads in New Orleans. Over a five day period I did an unscientific survey to see if I could spot people with books. I managed to find a few (3) people at Audubon Park with books and beers, but nobody outside of the park. I drove out to Barnes and Noble on Vets and couldn't get a parking spot. Who are all these closet readers?

Do you know where Louisiana ranks in literacy? Well if you got this far then you can probably read above the 3rd grade level. If you've started wondering about literacy, check out Louisiana’s Literacy Resource Center at http://www.doe.state.la.us/slrc/index.htm.

And if you really want to go crazy and read outside of parish lines, click over to the National Institute for Literacy.

The Bastard Bunch

While walking home from the Wagner's on Claiborne last night I started humming this tune. Something must have been up because I never saw so many daddys totting kids at the Wagner's.

Brady Bunch Revised Lyrics

Here's a story of a pissed off lady
Who was bringing up three nasty little hoe's
All of them had teeth of gold, like their mother,
The youngest one in human hair extension curls.

Here's the story, of a man named Shady,
Who got busy makin six boys of his own.
They were seven men, living all together,
Yet dad was rarely home.

Till the one day when Shady met this hoe,
And the bitches in the hood knew that it was more than just a lunch.
That this group would somehow form another family.
That's the way we became The Bastard Bunch.

The Swamp Tattler: Coming soon

The Swamp Tattler:
... coming soon ...