100 monkeys typing.

Just Sickening

I can't get the Louisiana and Mississippi coast tragedy out of my head. I celebrated my honeymoon here. Returned in 2002 and in 2003 and have wandered the streets in every one of the small towns we're all seeing on the news now. From Bay St Louis to Ocean Springs, the Gulf Shores truly are the crown jewel of Mississippi. New Orleans, is one of my most favorite cities in the nation. Hauled my kid down there twice before he was two. Have stayed often in the French Quarter and was even lucky enough to stay here over a long weekend. The thought of it all being washed away is painful.

Those being rescued. Those who couldn't get out. Those who we now see being pulled from roofs are the poorest of the poor. All the way along the coast, usually hidden from sight are those whose lives are now completely and totally devastated by loss. When the water's at chest level and there's someone wading through with Pampers over their head... they're not looters, they're desperate. Until you've experienced a flood or total loss, please withhold judgement. Yes, there is a criminal element at work in some cases, but yanking food off of shelves as waters rise is not.

If you haven't given yet. Please do. Money only and only to the Red Cross.

There will be partisan flare ups over this disaster, the Corps of Engineers funding, Bush on his vacation, the miscommunications that impacted the levees, the shortage of National Guard troops... ignore it for now. Focus on contributing however you can to the people who's needs are vastly greater than political bickering.