[Vermonter]

Most important item they can do is get every last person they can out of there.

I agree with that, but the impression that is coming out of NO is that everything (levees not getting fixed, Superdome problems, etc) is because the city isn't getting help. That perception needs to be changed.

[r9etb]

Like it or not, there is a political aspect to this -- both in terms of near-term and long-term activities and funding. FEMA, et al, need to very quickly gain control of the information flow, to say what's being done and why; and what's not being done, and why. Blanco and the Mayor are painting a picture of chaos, and it's going to cause serious problems soon.