For those that may not have visited, I maintain, and have maintained a blog site here at www.bacque.com for years (Long before the blog craze). The site details the happenings here in New Orleans, events I’ve organized, the trips and places I’ve been, and the people and friends I’ve encountered along the way. And while I certainly considered removing the site in wake of running for Mayor, I quickly changed my mind.

    My reasoning is thus…the very spirit of New Orleans has always been one of celebration joy. Over the last 6 months, the media (especially national media), has inundated this country with non-stop negative, depressing coverage of New Orleans. People around the country thought New Orleans was underwater for months after the storm, due to the incessant sensationalizing of the press and over exposure of flood photographs. I was relieved to see that tide beginning to change with Mardi Gras coverage, but we still have a ways to go.
 

     In NO way do I imply lack of empathy for the tremendous hardship befallen the people affected by this disaster, but at the same time, a TOTAL lack of coverage of the positive happenings in the city greatly frustrated me. As someone who returned in October from the storm, I can certainly attest to the resilience, the positivity, and the enthusiasm of the people here at that time, and the people here now. It was wonderful to see so many citizens, especially young people, moving back… despite aggravations like gas availability and grocery store closings. These are people that cared enough to begin reinvesting in the city, cared enough to rebuild their lives and livelihoods, and deserved to enjoy themselves when they could. I will continue to provide coverage of the joy I encounter in New Orleans, and hope that everyone views it in the spirit to which it is intended.  
 

As always, thanks for reading!
Nick