I Still Say We Need a Katrina Cleanup Czar

Sad to say, but the only stories coming out of New Orleans these days are like this week's Time Magazine cover that remembers -- for a brief shining moment -- that we are losing interest in the long-term plight of renewing New Orleans. No surprise really -- the mainstream media can only stay focused over time and intensely track stories of (1) crisis, (2) cover up and (3) personality. That's why I called early on for progressives to demand that Bush name a recognizable Cleanup Czar -- so the press would have someone to track, talk to, blame or lionize.

Folks here hated my trial balloon suggestion to name Colin Powell back in September probably because of his sickening role in selling the Iraq War. But arguably having Colin leading the reconstruction effort here could be noble penance for someone who might be able to win the trust of the Feds, private businesses, and New Orleans' African-American community? That said, I am not hung up on "who" we push forward for Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi to call out -- just that we do it and do it soon.

So maybe folks can comment with better ideas (Rudy Giuliani anyone? Angelina and Brad?) about who Bush might actually consider choosing?

Because having a czar will help the mainstream media benchmark what in the heck is happening down there.

Because without a czar, like a Peter Uberoth was to the LA Olympic Games or Felix Rohatyn to the New York Bankruptcy Crisis, I fear that the Republicans' shameful strategy to do just enough to help us forget New Orleans will be one step closer to reality.