Speaking of Crime in New Orleans, Have those four officers that punched 64 year old Robert Davis in the face been sent to prison yet?

I'm so glad you're returning to New Orleans! I can't wait to see the broadcast.

So I see Anderson that you have been there more times than the Federal Government. I think it is a true American tragedy that this is still going on and there seems to be no end in site. I believe this will continue to be a story till the Bush Administration leaves office. Then and only then will you see change to the region.

If you are going to address the "portrayal of women and the glorification of destructive lifestyles in hip hop music" please also discuss the glorification of drugs and violence in Rock & Roll.

Hopefully you can find and check in with Herbert Gettridge who was rebuilding his home. He's always great on the program. Maybe his "old lady" has returned? I'm looking forward to your report tonight from NOLA.

The hip hop negativity is just a harsh detestable product of the dehumanizing; debasing culture that blacks/African Americans have had to survive or try to for generations. It is those same generations of Americans who have placed this type of disease in the black culture that has caused people to turn on their own kind without sensitivity gauges to realize what's happened as a result of their own actions. It's so evident of the mentality plot exposed in the "Willie Lynch" letter to Southern and Caribbean
slave owners.

I am so ecstatic you have the podcast now. I love CNN and I love your show even more. Keep up the good work!

I look forward to the show on New Orleans. I think many have forgotten about the struggles the city and its people continue to face. I could do without Imus again, but I'm interested in the response to Jason Whitlock. It doesn't look to disappoint!

"If someone thinks that love and peace is a cliche that must have been left behind in the '60s, that's his problem. Love and peace are eternal." -John Lennon

I'm so done with the Imus ordeal. It has been very clear to me that the biggest BIGOTS and racists in America are the black people. I refer to them not as African Americans,
but Americans? How can there be a BET, an Eboy magazine, the NAACP, the United Negro College fund, an all black ballet, all black colleges. Is this not discrimination and racism. I'm SICK of it and I'm more than sick of the racist Al Sharpton and all of his cronies.

Hi Anderson,
I'm glad you have returned to New Orleans. It's important to help the devastated communities along the whole coast to rebuild. Looking forward to the broadcast tonight.

Isn't time that Mayor Nagin take some responsibility for the mess his city is in? How long can we continue to blame FEMA for the crime and conditions that no city officials seem capable of getting under control????

Why do a group of beautiful, intelligent, educated, accomplished, forward-thinking women care what one ignorant biggot thinks of them? Sticks and stones, baby, sticks and stones.

Why does their have to be any "angles" to the Don Imus story. Why can't we just leave it as what it is. He said something stupid and should be punished for it. Why are we making comparisons to hip-hop culture, and the past mistakes of Al Sharpton in the Tawana Brawley case that was years ago. Two wrongs does not make a right. If America is so outraged by the use of negative terms in hip-hop music, why do you 'white america' buy into it. If it is such a dominating force in the African community, why is White America using it. White America has always used, stolen or profited from other cultures without the complete knowledge of the origins of some of those cultures. White America has been clueless ever since blacks redefined the word 'NIGGER' and began using it as something "they" can understand without being deragatory, and told white america they couldn't. How dare "they". Blacks have never stolen other cultures music, clothing, hairstyles or way of speech. DUDE

Dear Mr. Cooper:
I am a 57 year old mother who spent "Spring Break" in the Lower 9th Ward with my daughter Katie. Could you please visit that area and report on it? I am sickened at the lack of progress in that area. There is no reconstruction and it smells of death. I attended a community meeting while there, and a gentleman spoke of his 99 year old mother--whose house was leveled and all she wants is to come home to die. Her home is a slab of concrete now. I am not a dramatic person--but I am imploring you to do a story on this area--I went into the city proper where most things appear normal. It is a shock to travel just a few miles and see the devastation. We slept in a house with Common Ground volunteers. The house had been gutted but is in appalling condition with mold, bugs and other infestations. The stalwart young people working with Common Ground have few resources. They are forgotten and deemed too outspoken in their points of view. But they have fabulous minds and are the only ones speaking for this area. Extension cords are plugged into outside sources, and we had only a trickle of cold water. My daughter contracted a staph infection and had to have an IV--God only knows what she touched. Of the 12,000 homes in that area, only the street we stayed on had any inhabitants. This street is within a block of the levees.

I respect your broadcasts and appreciate your efforts in New Orleans. Please visit this area.

Sincerely
Beth Ballo

Much Thanks to you for reporting on the situation in New Orleans. I am a survivor but have to live away from home to work. I see little progress whenever I'm able to visit. I have a 6 week stay im my home town on the westbank i look forward to any updated information I can get. Alot of stories since the disaster, but I will Always Call My Birth Place Home.

I am glad to see you mentioned Jason Whitlock's column. He gives a compelling perspective that should be recognized and talked about.

Anderson, thanks for going to New Orleans, and continuing to report on stories, long after they have moved out of the public's consciousness.

I don't understand why can't they keep people safe from crime in New Orleans? This seems like something that people have been dealing with for so long all over the country. Haven't people figured it out and found a solution? More money, more cops, more community involvement -- what's needed?

There has been only one murder in Boulder in the past four years (three in the past five years). When Jon Benet Ramsey was killed, hers was the only murder for that entire year (still unsolved, I have to add.)

I know you can't compare Boulder to other cities, but fighting crime is something that everyone agrees is important. Why is everything so difficult in New Orleans?

(I'm glad you got out of the cold rain, and are in sunny NO.)

Linda
Boulder, Colorado

I'm really excited you're back in New Orleans! Hoping to see Herbert again.... go do that Cooper thing you do so well.

thank you Anderson and CNN for staying with us through our struggles and painful rebirthing process. This can happen to any other city in the US, albeit with different conditions. People need to see this, remember, and be vigilant in support of bringing a great city back to life.

Don Imus said something that got the Rutgers' women infuriated, but I think they'll get over it. The 3 Duke lacrosse athletes wrongfully accused and indicted in a rape case will never get over it. What Mike Nifong did is tantamount to the felony convictions he was seeking against the defendants. He used his position as county prosecuter, in a high profile case, to further his political ambitions and hung those men out to dry. What ever happened to judicial oversight, or lack there of, in this case. If not for the North Carolina Attorney General stepping in and deciding enough is enough, those men would be facing a jury trial today, based solely on conflicting eyewitness testimony, non existant DNA evidence, and heresay. Power corrupts...Absolute power corrupts absolutely..Shame on him and his gross abuse of power.

It is distressing that the pace of progress in NOLA and the Gulf Area hasn't increased over the months. Seeing the ruined neighborhoods and destroyed homes still has a devastating impact--I can't even imagine how the residents are coping. I'm glad AC360 hasn't abandoned this important story and keeps us informed.

Anderson,
Just for clarification I think Imus's comments were deplorable. Period. If we are going to demand apolgies for true injustices, I for one am a member of the growing club of people who believe that Jackson and Sharpton should be apologizing for their rolls in the ostratization of the Duke athletes.

We were new to LA two weeks before Katrina new, and we saw how rent was priced summer of 05. Now we are living in SC and I have checked back to the apartments we were in and they are 2 times the price they were before.

If you're in the neighborhood visiting old friends I hope you'll have time to check with Herbert Getridge. Has his wife made it home yet? (I'm still chuckling over his 'old lady' comment.) I can't imagine how hard it has been to be without someone you've been with for so long. Wouldn't you love to be at her welcome home party?

Hi Anderson

Lets hope that improvements are starting to happen for the people of New Orleans. It always seems to me its the disadvantaged who are forgotten and suffer the most.

I would be interested to hear if many foreign tourists are visiting the city, many of the stories of violence must be having an impact on the local economy.

Also, any recent sightings of Steven Segal !!!!

Enjoy the sunshine

Anderson, thank you for the attention you give to us. If not for that, I'm not sure if anyone would recall our plight.

On the topic of crime, please light that fire under our leadership. We're drowning here and the mayor, DA, and police chief are utterly clueless. There is no leadership among the three and if not for the finger-pointing and begging for more money (not help mind you) we'd not even know they're still around.

Keep up the good work, partner. If you're around in two weeks I'll buy you a Crawfish Monica at Jazzfest. :D

This is not just a white thing or a black thing. I have been wondering why ANYONE is publicly allowed to denigrate women or advocate breaking laws and murdering people as we see in the so-called "gansta culture", or ridicule political candidates by smearing them and calling names.

Apparently it's OK for some folks to call their women "ho's" and call each other "niggas", or go before a certain political group and call a member of the other party a "faggot" and the like, but really no matter who does it, it's disgusting and shows no respect for humanity. Our whole nation's culture has just become shrill and ugly. It's sickening what passes for "entertainment" or "politics" in the US.

I also think that the Don Imus thing has been blown way out of portion. If he had of made the comment regarding white girls nothing would have been taken this far. Big deal it was a joke, let it go. I don't believe that he should lose his job over it. Look at our country the blacks make everything about racism. Rev. Jese Jackson would blow his top if we had a United White peoples college fund. It just irrates the mess out of me that everyone has to make a big deal out of nothing. If he would have said stringy headed hos referring to white girls everyone would have laughed and thought it was funny. I think that everyone needs to grow up and get over it. I think it stinks that all of his sponsors are pulling out due to that one little statement, again if he had been referring to whites nothing would have happened. I for one totally agree with Don Imus, he has apoligized enough, and it is time to move on. It's a free country for everyone not just the blacks, we do have a freedom of speech.

Just a thought... The result of Katrina should have tought us, all of us especially the government of GW Bush that if a tragedy like this ever happends in any other place or city in the United States, the bureaucracy and politicized government is not going to make ch&e%e$e# for the people. It is insane to even consider reconstruction in that bowl below sea water (New Orleans) People should move inland, really! I've been to Iraq and the waste of money there is ridiculous! KBR and Halliburton just getting paid more than us the soldiers risking our lives. There is no point to be in a Civil War. NON SENSE! I still don't understand WHO is following George W Bush policy? Where is the next Katrina going to be? New York City? terrible to even imagine! It is also terrible to have an American President that resembles more a President of Iraq (Since most of his policies are to govern that country not the US). Meanwhile China is gaining more power...

Dear Anderson,
You are doing such a public service continuing to shine the spotlight on New Orleans. The people need their story heard. I hope that your stories will help New Orleans move out of this crisis.

It is bad that the people who have made a decision to come back to New Orleans can no longer pay for their homes and live on the streets. This seemingly promotes crime because their are so many vulnerable people. I hope that you explore the issue of the rising housing costs and explore why their local government is not doing putting in the man hours to track down old residents to get permission to tear down old houses. They have to rebuild if anything is going to get better.

I look foward to seeing your stories and revelations about the current conditions in New Orleans tonight.

As for Don Imus and the rap culture, just because the rap people say these horrible things does not make it right for Don Imus to say these things. Really it is not a double standard like you have been preaching since this story broke.

I think that everybody fully understands that what the rap culture brings to our society is dysfunction. Everytime I see those hip-hop people riding around in their shiny cars, flishing that nasty gold in their mouths, and walk around like they are doing something important it makes me want to vomit. Those foul-mouthed, low morals, do anything for money, individuals have severely hurt the black community and that makes me sick too.

Here is the clincher Anderson, how many people in white mainstream America have spoken out against gansta rap? How many affluent news journalists have taken a hard look at the effects of gansta rap on American society? How many mainstream media organizations have actually called the record companies on the carpet for all this rap crap that has been put out over the years. I don't know of any.

Mainstream white America has been silent on the issue, but buying the stupid junk like hotcakes. Now that a white man has used some of the stupid terms against innocent young black women who did not do anything to deserve it, mainstream white America wants to yell double standard.

The gansta rap culture needs to be examined, ridiculed, and exposed for what it really is. Gansta rap "artists" are nothing but ghetto folk trying to get by and get away from the police. Main stream white America needs to see what lurks behind those iron bars that isolate the ghetto from the rest of the city dwellers in urban hubs. The real truth of the rap story should be exposed. Maybe that will stop so many whites from buying the trash. Then the record companies will stop subsidizing it. Jay Z, Damon Dash, Puff Daddy role models for success? PLEASE, YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!!

Gansta rap people need to be held accountable for what they say. They should not be on the Grammy Awards, they should not be able to play at Madison Square Garden, they are not representative of the black community. They should not be accepted as part of mainstream culture like their doing something great. They are hurting this culture and hurting a whole lot of poor black people.

WE SHOULD PUNISH IMUS AND WE SHOULD ALSO PUT GANSTA RAP TO DEATH!!!!

One standard of decency for all in media!

My daughter went to N.O. in January with a group from her School (Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, NC) and was taken aback by what remained to be done this long after the hurricane. It inspired her to hold a forum at the school to raise awareness and inspire more students to become involved. It was held just last night (4/11). The panelists were all students who had been to N.O. at least twice. It is so true that our collective memory is so short when it comes to these things. Everyone needs to visit N.O. now, since the storm to see first hand just how little has been done. It is shameful. I am ashamed and my daughter, Brittany, and her fellow students are outraged.

Anderson Cooper -- did you know the hurricane hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast?

I'd have to agree that the problem is much larger than one radio host's inappropriate joke. Where are the Al Sharpton's & Jesse Jackson's fighting the rap moguls who degrade and abuse the black man & woman through their music. Why do these people continue to expend an incredible amount of time on a single white man's comment when there are black men & women who are using the same derogatory remarks against the white, black, yellow, or purple people, through music?

While you are down here in New Orleans, please try and find some of the good. This is a magical city and the constant bad news and stories about crime are hurting everyone. I don't think that anyone is asking that the stories be swept under the rug, but perhaps balancing the bad with some good will help people see that there is still quite a bit of magic left.

To hear people say that they won't come down here because it is so dangerous breaks my heart. There is crime everywhere, and unfortunately the crime in New Orleans is under a microscope. If people use good judgement when traveling they can be fairly safe.

How many times have you been back to Mississippi? Do you know how things are progressing there?

Why it a shock that housing is more expensive now. Ever heard of the laws of supply and demand. It is the higher housing prices that should provide incentive to developers to build more and faster. Duh? Maybe Anderson would prefer to import planners from the former Soviet Union and build everyone a cement box to live in.

Thank God that IMUS has been fired also from CBS. In today's world when so many of us are struggling just to make it in the world, we do not need, racist, vindictive, hurtful comments in our lives. We are a world family, and I believe that because of these types of attitudes like Imus displayed, that New Orleans and the Gulf Coast were looked over when it came time to help the people to rebuild. Thank you Anderson Cooper for continuing to fight for injustice on every level. I appreciate you helping the people of the Gulf Coast with your news casts. God Bless you and bless Imus too, he's gonna need it! the Queen eliene b.

I watch CNN for the news.Now all I get is more Imus.Let me know when it is over.I might come back.

I got to get caught in the rain today!

New Orleans - the heart and soul of music, and Sheryl Crow Going Green. She makes me think of the song Brandy by Freddie McGredor.

Music is powerful for moving the soul. It is an impressive lead that will contribute to the rebuilding of New Orleans, and recycling/taking care of earth. Hopefully, people will gear up to take on a more active role, with a surge of revolutionary thinking, and an emphasis on doing.

The astounding possibilities of what people are capable of will prevail by the impact of events like Going Green and street musicians. We have come a long way. With music comes a desire to want to make a big difference. Few things are more exciting for me. It's encouraging, and effective in our world. Music offers people the ability to take their gift and apply it to world changing, life altering moments.

Take care of yourself, and thanx for everything.

I am happy that you have again returned. As a resident, I speak for many when I say that you are just about the only person that hasn't forgotten us. These are troubled times in our city and many have lost hope. For those of us that remain, we struggle to rebuild a city that is more than just a tourist destination. Unfortunately, I fear that more will leave and those that remain will become callous to the violence that has now become a part of our daily lives. Particularly disturbing is the number of unsupervised teens who have returned to our city and have fed the crime wave. If the daily deaths of parents and children in this city can not force change, what can?

Has anyone considered why there is an NAACP,or a Negro College Fund and all black colleges? It is easy to give opnions and conclusions. First learn the history. How many of main stream Americas really know the history of Blacks in this Country. When you speak of the holocaust and other atrocities, everyone must sit up and pay attention, but when is comes to slavery and its aftermath, Black Americans are told to 'get over it.' Talk about a double standard.

Until Americans all stand as one against hanppenings like this, we are just going around in circles

Just because AC is obsessed with NOLA, quit subjecting the rest of us around the USA who could care less about that "cesspool of crime and poverty." And quit pointing the finger at everyone else. A corrupt community, a culture of crime, gangsters, and violence, etc. Who wants to see it come back?? And NOLA's culture of crime has polluted Houston, Miami, and other "host" cities who took them in. And then they have to put up with all the problems they bring...sad/bad! Katrina tried to cleanse NOLA, so just pull the plug and give NOLA back to the ocean. It's SINKING---Duhhh!! Silly humans!

First I do not approve of the remarks made by Don Imus, but however I do enjoy his morning program. With all the power that Sharpton and Jackson have in having Imus's fired, why don't they channel their energy regarding the rap music that degrades black women everyday in America. Why aren't they on national TV protesting the radio stations and their sponsors who play rap music. Also, why not as well as we are on the bandwagon protest Walmart and other vendors who sell rap music that degrades black women.
But I assume it is ok for black men to degrade black women, but not let any white man make any remarks regarding a black women. I am a very diverse person and believe strongly everyone should be treated respectly regardless of color or gender. This situation has gone to far.

To the people of Mississippi and the rest of the Gulf Region,
Please don't believe for a moment that you have been forgotten. Even though the media seem to have moved on to other stories there are people out there who do care. There are groups of ordinary people who have gone down to the Gulf Region time and again to help.
I volunteer with a group called Katrina's Angels and they were formed a few days after the Hurricane. They have many projects going on down there and if you're interested their website is:

www.katrinasangels.org

So please don't think you are forgotten because there are people who do care.

Anderson:
I'm glad you're back in Louisiana to focus on the problems in New Orleans. I am going there on Saturday-I miss the way it used to be. Now, we've heard about random shootings around places like Magazine St-one of my favorite parts of the city. But I still love going there in spite of it.
I just heard that Imus has been fired. I'm not sure if this is true, but I think that it's an appropriate move. Like Whoopi Goldberg said Tuesday night, others have had the same fate for the same offense. But I do think it's time to move forward and get on with life.
Again, thanks for the N.O. coverage-you certainly know how to keep a promise.

To the Mississippi posters:

Well put!!! The media will not visit and talk with people/cities in Mississippi that were affected by Katrina (even though it was affected even worse than New Orleans), because there is not negative story. In fact, examining Mississippi post-Katrina would only shed light on who is really to blame for the lack of progress in New Orleans - the local and state governments.

And don't hand me the trash that the federal government is withholding funds - bullhockey! Again, just look at Mississippi and how well it has recovered since Katrina with less attention and LESS MONEY!!!!!

Great job to the people of Mississippi for your progress and to the mayors and Governor Barbour for their leadership post-Katrina!

Anderson, your dedication to keep NOLA in the forefront of the conscience of soceity and government is admorable. It would be nice to see you go to other cities effected by Katrina in the Gulf Coast region as well, "keeping them all honest".

You said that you would be back to NOLA and you kept that promise and that is something a journalist of integrity does.

Hopefully we will see Herbert tonight and hopefully his "old lady" as well.

Enjoy the great weather in NOLA, cause it stinks up here :P

Hi Anderson,thank you so much for going back to NOLA and keeping the world informed on the progress of the Big Easy. Also I hope that you have gotten in touch with Mr. Herbert Gettridge. I pray that he and his old lady are back in their home and doing well. And as for the podcast all I will say is Anderson you are the man.

Hey Anderson, I think it's great you keep revisiting the NO. Has the crime wave eased up in NO since earlier in the year?? Also, could NO do something like NY did after 9/11 w/tax credits?? Maybe that would encourage some higher tourism. I honestly can not believe Nagin is still mayor.
Also, *please* move on from Imus. A brief mention of his firing from CBS will suffice. By the time 360 airs, everyone will already know anyway.
Enjoy the weather where you are, it's sletting where I am. Yuck!