Horseshit. I haven't seen anything other than anecdotal evidence that "thugs rule the street." Some local officials are using that as I cop out as to why more isn't being done. FEMA isn't reporting that it is hampering their efforts. The Coast Guard hasn't reported it hampering their efforts. Get real. I didn't see any armed thugs stopping anyone from delivering food or water to the folks at the convention center (which they did eventually.)
So I see Nicolas Cage is giving a million dollars, other stars are kicking in money... so I say, hmmm Oprah is from Mississippi. Oprah is a kazillionaire. Wonder how much she has donated to her home state. Did a google search. Not a peep.
"I didn't see any armed thugs stopping anyone from delivering food or water to the folks at the convention center (which they did eventually.)"
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/09/01/D8CBN9OG2.html
"In hopes of defusing the unrest at the convention center, Mayor Ray Nagin gave the refugees permission to march across a bridge to the city's unflooded west bank for whatever relief they can find. But the bedlam at the convention center appeared to make leaving difficult.
A military heliocpter tried to land at the convention center several times to drop off food and water. But the rushing crowd forced the choppers to back off. Troopers then tossed the supplies to the crowd from 10 feet off the ground and flew away."
They did go to the Convention Center with food/water?
I must have missed that.