Mardi Gras and the Future of New Orleans

Making News

McConnell Sworn-in as New 'Top Spy' ()

Retired Admiral Mike McConnell was sworn in today as the second Director of National Intelligence, a job created after intelligence failures before 9/11 and the Iraq invasion.  One of his jobs will be briefing the President on a daily basis.  The President, speaking at McConnell's swearing-in, reaffirmed that he values the "intelligence products" created by the military, calling them an "important part of my strategic thought." Tim Starks reports on intelligence for Congressional Quarterly.

Guests:

• Tim Starks: Intelligence reporter for Congressional Quarterly

Main Topic

Mardi Gras Revelers Flood Big Easy, Residents Ponder Jump Ship ()

Mardi Gras has been described as the tale of two cities: New Orleans before and after Katrina.  Last year's Mardi Gras was the first after Katrina, and it was mostly a local affair.  This year's will be a better measure of what's in store for New Orleans. Today is Fat Tuesday, and hotel occupancy is up, but so is the number of cops on the streets because of an increase in violent crime. Many residents who've qualified for government grants still aren't sure if they ought to rebuild or take buy-outs. With the city just half as large as it used to be, we hear about prospects for public safety, race relations and reconstruction.

Guests:

• David Hammer: Staff writer for the Times-Picayune
• Elliott Stonecipher: Demographic analyst
• Terry O'Connor: Editor-in-Chief of New Orleans CityBusiness magazine
• Peter Scharf: Founding Director of the Center, for Society, Law and Justice
• Amanda Spake: Katrina Media Fellow

Links:

• Hammer's article on decision facing New Orleans' residents
• Spake's (Nation) article on FEMA trailers, respiratory illness among Katrina refugees

Reporter's Notebook

Has Vice President Cheney's Clout Been Downsized? ()

Vice President Cheney is on his way to Japan, where he will not meet with the Defense Minister who called the Iraq war a "mistake." Jumio Kyuma has since said he meant it should have been better thought through. The Vice President will visit Australia as well as Japan, partly to reassure them about the recent deal with North Korea.  But he may be holding his nose about the kind of arrangement Cheney and his conservative allies long tried to avoid. Is it a sign that the Vice President is not as powerful as he used to be?  We ask Michael Abramowitz, who reports for the Washington Post.

Guests:

• Michael Abramowitz: Staff Writer, Washington Post