And yet, why didn’t the T-P follow home Robert Green, the “needy” dude getting a pink house from Brad Pitt? He’s not just a scam artist, he’s a scam artist with a felony fraud record, and the T-P knows that, too. But because it didn’t suit their purposes to expose him, he got a pass.

There are a number of these characters like Jasper and Green who are very adept at being in the right place, right time with the right story; that’s part of the hustle, and part of New Orleans. What’s telling is when it does or doesn’t get reported, and why.

“at key points in time, near elections, or when a city council vote is up, when you want to find whether the garbage men are corrupt in your town, there could be influence — there has been — the voice, the point of view of the owner, inserted.”

I’ve been largely misinterpreted by a number of critics who are incensed that I would even ask that Coleman Warner either confirm or challenge the stereotype presented by that image. That he didn’t might certainly be construed as intended bias. It’s certainly sloppy reporting, given the reaction — it seems apparent to everyone else that the television confirms an stereotype which many people who care about good public policy to help those in need wouldn’t like to have to defend.

The range of voices, of meaningful and civil conversations, has been abysmally lacking in the public housing controversy. It won’t be resolved, even though decisions be made, without a reasonable airing of everyone’s concerns. And the same mistakes of the past may simply be repeated by a federal agency, HUD, which has a long record of unresponsive, poor management (certainly the actions of the current HUD director merit scrutiny). Progress isn’t just about putting up new buildings. It’s about altering the set of policies which create incentives and opportunities for those who are able, and security for those who aren’t.

I’m all for folks getting a few creature comforts, but I don’t believe widescreen tv and the cable hookup that goes with it (I’m assuming) are a human right. The question shouldn’t be about Ms. Jasper or the T-P’s decision to run a provocative photo, but about why such an un-needed device was deemed appropriate for installation in any public housing.

The irony I see in that photo is the placement of the caption accompanying it…she’s quoted as saying “it’s pitiful what people give you.” Damn, I wish someone would give me a tv like that…a listing in the want ads could net me at a month’s rent. But I’m sure that was a misquote or taken out of context.