[solzhenitsyn]

leadpenny, when the official spoke of "stacks of bodies", it would seem to imply that the number of dead was very great. Why couldn't the person just give a number, or at least an estimate? Was there time to recover and "stack" the bodies, but not enough time to count them, or at least estimate how many there were? Was there not enough time to share the number with the press, but enough time instead to make that very colorful and alarming statement about "standing guard over stacks of bodies", as if they were too numerous to count? That must be comforting to those who have loved ones in the area, that they haven't heard from yet after the hurricane.

The claim just sounds exaggerated. We don't generally stack up corpses like firewood in this country; we have too much respect for the dead. I could surely be wrong, but I'm holding on to hope that the number of dead was smaller than the person's statement implied.

[leadpenny]

Thanks for your thoughts. I've been up for a couple of hours after going to bed early. I was surprised at the lack of updated info overnight which has led me to suspect that there are areas that rescue workers (and reporters) haven't gotten into. I hope you're right, however, Charley took a late last minute turn inland into areas where people may have not been as serious about evacuation orders as they should have been.

[dixie sass]

Have been listening to the news and weather all night waiting to hear from my son, brother, uncles and their families.

Have not heard any report about "stacks of bodies", perhaps you confused hurricane news with Iraqi news?

[Howlin]

Why couldn't the person just give a number, or at least an estimate?

Because they don't know yet?

Here's a hint: perhaps you should wait before you speak on this one, since you obviously aren't on the ground there.

[Rome2000]

After Andrew, there were all kinds of rumors about hundreds dead in trailer parks in Perrine and Goulds.

They weren't true, and hopefully this is the same situation.

[floriduh voter]

There are also a lot of missing people. They could either be evacuated or deceased in some storm wreckage. Everybody thought it was coming to Tampa Bay. The cops tried to get those people in the "manufactured housing" to leave one last try 45 minutes before Charley hit and they would not leave.

I was wondering why can't foolish people be escorted out instead of giving them their deadly choice? So, President Bush will arrive tomorrow. Kerry's not going to come to Florida. He's been here enough already.

[Rennes Templar]

You were right!