An open letter to the president

Dear Mr. President,

I read yesterday where you’re attending a Katrina remembrance in New Orleans. I’m glad you’ll be there for the folks in New Orleans. No doubt they have suffered and I know they’ll find comfort in your words and you just being there.

093005 Ramsey Gulf Coast copyI am sorry to hear you don’t have time to stop by the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I know you know how good the people are there — you visited during the BP oil spill and had a sno-cone on the beach.

I really don’t know why you’re not coming. Politically it might not be a good move. I’m sure the conversation between you and Governor Phil Bryant would be one awkward pause after the other. Or you might be busy — being President is a full-time job I hear. I’m sure some folks are probably glad you’re just doing a flyover — I read the comments and sometimes they’re ugly. Oh yeah, it’s easy to point out its not the first time the Coast as been ignored. It’s easy to make a Landmass joke right about now.

But let me tell this: You should be proud of the people on the Gulf Coast. They got hammered hard. First by Katrina then by the economy after the BP oil spill. Dealing with insurance and flood plain maps hasn’t been a bucket of chuckles either. I don’t live on the Coast but have spent a good amount of time there and marvel at the resiliency of the people there. As this country struggles to get back on its feet after the Great Recession, I’d think you’d want to really put that kind of spirit on the center stage.

Hope you have a great trip to New Orleans. It’s fun town and the people there need your encouragement. And when you’re there, stop into Cafe Du Monde. You’ll thank me later.

Signed a guy who draws cartoons about you from time to time.

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