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Why don't some more people like him take charge of the situation? SURELY they are not ALL going to sit and kick their feet until Whitey brings them breakfast in bed! There are plenty of logical, thoughtful, strong men of every age -- and probably women too -- in among those 20,000 refugees. Why is NOBODY taking command? If I were there I'd have for darned sure stopped people peeing and pooing in the hallways, for one thing. Is that what they do at home? Why not find some trash cans or buckets to be used to keep everything in one place? Why isn't anyone taking those children into one area and playing games with them or telling them stories, or leading them in singing? Why is nobody taking the old people into an area and leading them in prayer and hymns?

Why oh why is there no attempt to behave like human children of God?

You can't do much if you don't have much to work with, but by God people in concentration camps maintained their humanity! What on earth is wrong with this bunch who have only been inconvenienced for THREE BLOODY DAYS?

All the people who are capable of doing the sort of things you list evacuated the city when ordered to by their government. All that was left in the city was the misfits. I like the way you write though. You make some very good points.

Good post. We have all become such sheep, waiting around for the authorities to tell us what to do instead of taking charge of our own destinies.

I hoped that in the wake of 9/11 (and especially Flight 93) folks would have learned the wisdom of taking matters into their own hands, but I suppose not.

Sunday night I saw on TV that huge line of people waiting to get into the Superdome, and it looked to me like they were going to jail. I think I would have taken my chances in my home - with Katrina, looters and all.

"You can't do much if you don't have much to work with, but by God people in concentration camps maintained their humanity! What on earth is wrong with this bunch who have only been inconvenienced for THREE BLOODY DAYS?"

Bump. . .

"There are plenty of logical, thoughtful, strong men of every age -- and probably women too -- in among those 20,000"

Culturally these are city people...who depend on the government for most of their services. Many are probably also on public assistance...they are used to blindly doing what the government tells them to. Thus they are stunned to find out they're essentially abandoned at the moment.

I watched interviews and footage of some poor people in rural Mississippi...black and white, who's housing was obliterated. They were very greatful for the help that did come. They spoke about pulling together etc. They thanked America for all the help.
I would have walked out of the city as soon as the storm had passed...gone to the next town to look for shelter. But I've never relied on the government for instructions.

I have to say I agree here. Granted, we are nice and comfy in our homes, BUT when you hear of gangs shooting at hospital workers, stealing ambulances.... There were lines of boats ready to get people out of there BUT THEY COULDN"T BECAUSE THEY HAD BEEN SHOT AT! The American people are a compassionate people, but these actions are a true black eye to New Orleans

Damn right, my friend.

And what about the Bataan survivors? Soviet gulag survivors? The men at the Hanoi Hilton?

You have the post of the year.