WDSU: Groups Want Blakely Fired

Click here to watch videoSeveral community groups are demanding that the city fire recovery czar Ed Blakely. The groups protested Friday at City Hall over Blakely’s statements in The New York Times.  The article quoted Blakely saying that New Orleans is "like a Third World country" and referring to some locals as "buffoons."  The People’s Hurricane Relief Fund said Blakely’s comments are inexcusable.In a brief news conference Friday morning, Blakely blamed stress and an undisclosed illness for the comments.  He also said his comments were unfortunately misconstrued and that he takes full responsibility for them.  Blakely called buffoons a "very inappropriate word" and said he was referring to a group of people outside city government.  Nagin told reporters Thursday that he and Blakely "had a very frank discussion" and that he told Blakely to stay focused on recovery work and "leave the other commentary for other people who do that for a living."