[didi]

Did anyone see the clip last night of Chris Matthews calling the gulf coast "The Redneck Riviera?

I think it seems rude for him to do that at a time like this, but I grew up in Alabama and that's what we called it.

Still, it is kinda like redneck jokes. It's okay if you ARE a redneck, but it's rude for a Snotty Harvard Lawyer (no offense to snotty Harvard lawyers intended) to do it, because it is usually mean-spirited.

[theophilusscribe]

If you need to find out about your loved ones in these affected areas, contact the local police department.

They are the ones most likely to have power/phone lines (though that is not guaranteed). Find the number here:

http://www.usacops.com

I called them after a different hurricane, and they were at least able to tell me the status of the neighborhood.