With this morning’s release of the Stacy Head emails, some thoughts. First off, I don’t think this issue should get much attention now that we know what these emails actually say. If this is the worst that Tracie Washington has, then it’s sad she’s spent so much time and energy ensuring their release. The emails are classist and catty, but are they racist or unethical? Hell no.
Secondly, as one caller said this morning on Bob and Monica’s show on WWL, what does this say to the public about City Council members who dare to question the Nagin administration? That one of their henchwomen will embarrass them personally and publicly. Nothing in the emails reflects a lack of respect or dedication that Ms. Head has for her job, but the same can’t be said for Tracie Washington. I’m sure Ms. Washington says some not-so-nice things about Ms. Head and others behind closed doors, but is her level of dedication to the “impoverished” and “colored” communities of New Orleans the same as Ms. Head’s level of dedication to her job? Certainly not. What good is Ms. Washington serving by digging up these emails? How is this helping “impoverished” and “disadvantaged” communities? Ms. Washington needs to resign as director of the Louisiana Justice Institute and find someone who actually wants to work towards these goals.
Thirdly, its easy to see the personal vendetta here. Everyone can see through the media-induced smoke and mirrors and knows of Ms. Washington and Ms. White’s personal vendetta against Ms. Head.
Fourth, Ms. Washington could face serious charges for posting these emails. While it was technically legal, because they were posted between the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling allowing their release and the Supreme Court’s ruling later in the day calling for the emails’ censure, Ms. Washington certainly knew the issue was going to be appealed, and soon. Thus, as a lawyer she might have committed some serious ethical violations, especially if she knew the issue was going to be appealed and if a ruling was imminent later that afternoon from the Louisiana Supreme Court.
Finally, lets not allow this to divide us as a community. Most people on the radio this morning echoed such. If people get all up in arms over this, then Ms. Washington wins. And what a shame that would be.
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Very, very well said.