The Emperor's New Clothes (2001)

Back in 1979, under the threat of a summer hurricane, it had been the wettest recorded year to date in Mississippi where I was working in archaeology on the new barge canal the US Congress picked over an "Energy Island" for NYC, I visited New Orleans to see a friend off from the LaSalle Hotel to the Yucatan. On that Sunday the "Times-Picayune" published a legend from outside of the city. It seems, Emperor Napoleon had a friend in the LaFitte's, Thomas Jefferson's wife related to them by marriage. The story was that Napoleon was allowed long walks, away from his guard, and sat on the beach. He was smuggled off the island of exile, leaving a large cross of sticks in his long coat and hat. He apparently however was ill and had a heart attack within sight of the Yucatan, Mexico and was buried under another name in the LaFitte cemetery. How long, of course, becomes the question maybe he was removed maybe he's still there. The French are going to do a DNA analysis on his remains in Paris to make sure. There was always some problem with the official autopsy, reviewed by the Scottish Medical Association around 1973 (also researched by others). For sure, however, there is a bust of Thomas Jefferson in the LaFitte Vineyards in France where he visited and they say he had a talent for wine tasting and appreciation. I once introduced the Bordeaux wines at the Buffalo University back in 1974 on the new Amherst, NY campus, in an I.M. Pei designed dormitory, after or before "Watergate" and "Winegate". The hurricane fizzled out after 4" of rain, during the "Arab" oil embargo. I returned to work on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Barge Canal, which runs from the Tennessee River to Mobile, Alabama, staying in Columbus and Belmont, Mississippi. Elvis Presley's father died that summer. This film has some of the elements in it. The Emperor's New Clothes (2001) Comment: It was reported that Monica Lewinsky lived in the Watergate complex, next door to Bob and Libby Dole. Mark Russell, who performed his political satire at "Washington’s Shoreham Hotel in a popular act attended by politicians, the media and tourists" was transmitted later from the new theater at Buffalo University on PBS, he a native of Buffalo. It is part of a dormitory complex designed by Davis-Brody, who built "Waterside" and other low and middle income housing in NYC often "promised" in return for expensive high-rise "deals". Just before 9/11/01 it was discussed that the World Trade Center was going to be up for sale and a certain "windfall" would accrue from its sale as part of New York City's share in it. The various candidates for Mayor were asked on television (the primary was held around 9/11) what they would do with the money. One candidate said he would build the 40,000 low and middle income housing units that were promised in the original compromise made in constructing the World Trade Center, outside the building codes of NYC, and NOT in the South Street Seaport, as orginally planned. So the Port Authority really is an 'emperor' of sorts to some.