Comments on: A Wounded Hero Departs

By: Dan Greenspan

Dan Greenspan — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 04:32:43 +0000

I read the account of Paul’s tragedy with a sense of shock and horror. His name and picture in the paper were eerily familiar and then I realized with a jolt that I had been a classmate of Paul’s in college. Although I didn’t know him, I remember him quite distinctly from a small class on African political history that I took my senior year. I remember Paul sharing some food with me one morning in the computer lab in the Science Center as I struggled to finish a paper for the class. It was a nice gesture, and apparently consistent with the type of person that he is.

What a terrible, senseless loss. My heart goes out to him.

By: Susan White

Susan White — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 04:19:56 +0000

I’ve read many blogs about Helen and Paul. This one is so beautifully written and sad that I find myself much affected by it. My husband and I never met them, although we knew some of the same people and surely would have met, eventually. I do recall seeing them a handful of times in the Vieux Carre and down on Frenchman; my husband and I always toted around our two-year old around, and seeing another couple with a little one in tow made us feel less conspicuous about bringing our child out to enjoy the New Orleans scene with us. Sometimes, we’d pass on the street, and pause to say hello and admire each other’s kids before going our separate ways.

We too lost our home in Katrina, and have contemplated returning, but Helen’s murder has left us angry and depressed, and questioning our emotional commitment to a city that fails so miserably to protect the citizens. I feel such regret for Paul, and for baby Francis, and for all of Helen’s friends and family. Beyond that, there are no words for something like this.

Some may say that there is a greater plan for all of us, a purpose to even this tragic loss of life, but there’s little comfort for me in such platitudes. The truth is, the magic of New Orleans only comes from its people, and Helen and Paul epitomized the best of what New Orleans was. And that too has died, for me, in that little house on Rampart.

By: pj

pj — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 03:41:12 +0000

Lots of love from here. If there are Indiana people who want to get together let me know pjchristie {at} gmail. We are with you in our grief, we are with you.

By: devon damonte, oly, WA

devon damonte, oly, WA — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 19:52:03 +0000

We Love You Paul!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 19:49:45 +0000

While I never had the honor of meeting Paul or Helen, her murder and his wounding has left me frustrated, angry and despondent. And it has sealed my plan to leave New Orleans once and for all. I have lived here my entire 49 years and I love this place. But the sad fact is that it will never get better. I have attended the marches, written the letters, voted for new people and nothing ever changes. The corruption, ignorance, stupidity and complacency are permanent fixtures of this city’s landscape. Nothing will make these thugs ever have 2 parents. Nothing will keep them in school. Nothing will get the guns or the drugs off the street. Nothing will make our police less corrupt and our politicians less ignorant. New Orleans is dead and I don’t plan to be here for the funeral. I love this place, but I refuse to take a bullet for it. The only solution for me is to get out while I’m still alive.

By: Martha B.

Martha B. — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 18:14:33 +0000

Thank You for introducing me to Helen ,Paul , and Francis.I met them through you on 1-4-07. I feel your grief along with the hundreds/thousands they touched. Please help heal by continuing to write about these speciel people.

Peace And Confort to all
Martha B.
Baton Rouge

By: Sophmom

Sophmom — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 18:08:54 +0000

I’m so sorry for all this, Bart. I’ve been watching all week, thinking of ya’ll all the time. You have given and continue to give, this loss, beautiful expression.

By: Yoni

Yoni — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 17:54:20 +0000

Actually, Paul wrote “The Maharishi Effect” for the wedding of two of their friends, whose names escape me. “Atheist” was for Helen, though, and there have certainly been others.

Anyway, your posts have been wonderful tributes, so thanks for them (I played saxophone in the Troublemakers for a while, if you’re wondering who this is)…

Peace,
Y.