Cornichon.org

Bon Temps, Mauvais Temps

Nawlins three-four years ago: sipping Hurricanes in the courtyard of Pat O'Brien's. Seriously doubt those times ("laissez les bons temps rouler!") are going to come round again, even though NYTimes has a story today that French Quarter seems to be relatively unscathed. Similar report on CNN. (Over in the flooded 9th Ward, rumors abound that the levee was breached on purpose, so that the French Quarter would stay dry. Strange, cynical theories, even by NOLA standards.)

But here's a reasonable question for the disaster planners: it's no secret that many poor people in New Orleans don't own cars, or can't afford to buy gas at the end of the month. How can you order the evacuation of a city without providing transportation? Like convoys of trucks & buses through low-lying neighborhoods to take people to safety? And bring in enough National Guard troops beforehand to maintain order. Unless they're deployed elsewhere, like Iraq.

As blogs of all stripes are pointing out, the warnings have been around for years, decades. The "Corpse" of Engineers has been messing with the Mississippi River for almost a century; Herbert Hoover started it, and FEMA's incompetence this week is its direct descendant.

Slate, Freakonomics and Daily Kos seem to have the most comprehensive threads going. And even if you hate Fox News and find Geraldo contemptible, you've got to give the guy credit for ripping into Hannity & Colmes last night. Click on the thumbnail below for a link to the video. Meanwhile, observers everywhere are frustrated beyond words.

In Sunday's grey morning light, an Op-Ed piece by Anne Rice, the city's conscience, explains all.

Further updates: read Sen. Barack Obama's speech here, and a suggestion for "flipping the rock" here.

You've Got Car !

Welcome news for urban dwellers, like Cornichon, who no longer own a car. Six months ago, you might recall, ABC World News Tonight aired a feature about the Seattle-based car-sharing program Flexcar. [Yes, that was me on TV.] Today, news that Steve Case, founder of AOL, has purchased a controlling interest in the company. Former Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca has also made an investment and joins the board.

Why is this good news? Because it takes the concept of car-sharing into the mainstream.

Case happened to see a parked Flexcar in Washington, DC, three months ago, joined up and became convinced that car-sharing has a future. "Sometimes the best ideas are the simple ones," he told a news conference today.

Tim Eyman, listen up: we don't need lower gas taxes, we need fewer cars!

We need a transportation system that works better: more sharing of resources that already exist [cars, buses, rail] and less hogging of stuff that's going to run out [gas]. People who use those finite resources should be prepared to pay for the privilege; pretending otherwise is simply selfish.

Reuben, Reuben, I've Been Thinking ...

Hunt for Seattle's best Reuben leads to Sport, part of Fisher Plaza at the foot of the Space Needle, beneath mural-size image of the hapless Ichiro. Inside, athletic waitstaff sport STAFF t-shirts, dispense menus and adjust TV screens.

Full sandwich ($11.95) listed as Rueben, not a promising sign. Half sandwich, spelled correctly, comes with a flavorless Fiestaware cup of chicken-tortilla soup ($8.95). Await nursery-rhyme's transport far across the northern sea, but, alas, Sport's Reuben is just a toasted sandwich.

Not bad-bad, mind you: tangy coleslaw, gooey mustard-mayo, sticky Swiss, crunchy rye, but oh-so-bland, unnaturally lean corned beef. No character! I munch in silence as Wolf Blitzer narrates latest Katrina video. Maybe northern sea not such a good idea after all. At least it's a decent pickle.

Sport, 140 4th Ave. N., Seattle, 206-404-7767

Flying Spaghetti Monster

Dude named Bobby Henderson claims on his website, venganza, that an entity called Flying Spaghetti Monster--the intelligent god of pastafarianism--created the universe, that SPAM is Spaghetti & Pulsar Activating Meatballs, and that the proper conclusion to prayers is "Ramen."

Touched by his noodly appendage ... yes, yes, it's a hilarious slam at the hogwash oozing from Seattle's own Discovery Institute. So what's this doing on Cornichon? C'mon, guys, this site is about noodles. Spaghetti is food!

www.venganza.org

Garden of Jade

Suddenly crave Sunday night fix of Chinese noodles. Head for Jade Garden in the International District, order Seafood Chow Fun with Curry Sauce. Tender shrimp, bits of crab among the broad rice noodles. Spicy but no discernable curry flavor. Slivers of barbecued pork contribute an unexpected sweetness. Pulse starts racing as MSG kicks in.

At next table, four generations share procession of dishes including impressive mound of crabs in black bean sauce. Convivial gathering.

Fortune cookie says "You will soon achieve your financial goals." Check is all of 8 bucks. Warm rain falls as I pedal home to Belltown. Won't return to this garden; have become Jaded.

Jade Garden, 424 Seventh Ave. S., Seattle, 206-622-8181