Our Modest "Heroes"



Did anyone watch CNN’s Larry King show last night?

It was a wonderfully inspiring story of how this young man, with heart and compassion, felt the need to give something back.

Unlike many of his peers, he showed that he is heads and shoulders above all of his peers who seem to spend most of their time earning headlines for driving drunk or taking drugs or neglecting their kids.

Here was an inspiration!....a young man who hesitated to take credit for anything.

Yet, he is hoping to remake New Orleans as it was with refinements that will make it easier for the original inhabitants to “come home.”

This won’t be easy. The Parish was destroyed virtually and few original residents have been able to return after the destruction of hurricane Katrina.

Many of these people have had to move to Texas and Alabama and many are still living in tiny mobile homes.

Brad’s idea was to bring together some of the leading minds to design an inexpensive home that will be “green” and reproduced inexpensively throughout the area.

He also had a wonderful idea that he displayed all over this decimated area that he said was inspired by Christo with his wildly memorable festivals of life that brighten and inspire. Like wrapping an island in beautiful silks or what they did in Central Park by putting up gaily colored portals throughout the park.

In Brad’s idea, which he put up the funds for, renewable “green materials” colored an inspiring pink were used to simulate a city of pink houses that were lighted at night by solar power that will eventually be used in the permanent homes to come.

It was most inspiring to see this wonderful idea executed as an inspiration that this idea will be realized, that the homes will be built and that people will return to their homes.

This seemed never in doubt.

To make it happen, Brad admitted somewhat reluctantly that he had funded the project with a five million dollar investment.

Brad’s enthusiasm is contagious and as he talks in a somewhat shy and hesitant way, his goodness as a person shines through.

When you watch him, you wonder where are all the other big mouths who do little for anybody else that does not involve profits. Where is this administration? Where are the Donald Trumps with their self aggrandizing ways?

It is good to see that Brad and his activist are such wonderful role models for the rest of us, making a difference with their money and living lives of serious intent.

It is good for the rest of us that there are such people.

And there are many more who may not come from wealth but are still doing their part in ways that we seldom hear about. Watch “Heroes” tonight on CNN at 9:00 eastern.

Les Aaron
The Armchair Curmudgeon

hubmaster@aol.com