The illusion of choice

DeBerry is far too kind here. It should be obvious by now that the byzantine charter school system is discriminatory against low-income families and the most at-risk children. It's a scheme set up deliberately to benefit parents and children with financial resources and/or social connections by institutionalizing their segregation from those without.

And, of course, when a scheme like this becomes so successful at achieving its aims, there are likely political benefits to be had for its champions. It's nice to see some of them stepping forward now to claim those benefits.

Supporters of businesswoman Leslie Jacobs hinted last week that her entry into the mayor's race would be a bit unconventional. Jacobs will make good on that prediction Wednesday when she rolls out a saturation television buy and a multimedia Web site featuring all manner of Internet campaigning, from Facebook to Twitter to blog blasts.

Jacobs spokeswomanCheron Brylski said the heavy dose of TV advertising and social networking will take the place of the traditional kickoff in a hotel ballroom packed with family and friends.

"It's going to be an explosion,'' Brylski said. "It will be hard to be in New Orleans and miss some message from Leslie."

The 30-second commercial that will debut on early morning newscasts explains why the 50-year-old insurance executive and education-reform advocate -- who is prepared to invest $1 million of her own money -- wants to be mayor, and which issues should be a priority for the city's next chief executive.

Wow, explosions, even. Except it appears that, unlike the outgoing mayor, Ms. Jacobs' people are interested in exploding things other than pies. Instead, she seems more interested in something called a "blog blast". Does anyone have any idea what that means? I understand the Jacobs campaign hosted some sort of a dinner for local bloggers at the Avenue Pub recently. Was there any talk of "blasting" there? Did anybody bring pie?