Marc, remember, people were being evacuated a couple of days before the storm struck, (traffic was steady, but not slow) and gosh knows there were weather experts on TV warning about the worst, that's why I thought they were spared the worst until today when the levees broke and the water began to rise again. I'm in the hurricane belt, and how many times I have housed my friends evacuated from the island for no reason in the end, never a home damaged, just a good excuse for a party....now I know. History brings complacency. The sad thing is that so many of these people had not the means to get out, thus the huge crowds in the super-dome.

And you're right, Mississippi got the worst due to the fate of having the eye of the storm to the east of them. And they are probably the poorest population. That tape of the man who lost the grip of his wife on the roof of his house and was wandering around with grandchildren in a daze brought tears to my eyes.

I share your opinion of the resiliancy of the human spirit, and especially coupled with the American passion to find the means to survive and thrive. They WILL get through this with the generosity and support from all of us. Having been involved somewhat in a personal nature with the rebuilding of the victims of the Tsunami on a very small scale, I was heartened by their appreciation that others around the world were there to help.