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I have given this FEMA money a lot of thought. Much of it is in the hands of gulf coast residents has stayed in the area. The importance of it lies not in how people are spending it so much as that they are putting back into the local economy. This keeps small business alive so the area economy doesn't die during this transition.

I don't care if a guy buys $100 tennis shoes with his because the guy who owns the shoe store can stay afloat till the crises passes. Either way, this money shores up victims.

I own a small business and half our customers were in New Orleans. I don't even know where they are now. Don't know what to do about quarterly billing or anything else at this point ( we haven't billed because we are trying to contact everyone personally in case they need assistance and can't pay). I do know if someone drops me their $45 to pay that bill, even from their FEMA check, I might not go under. I might not have to apply for ER unemployment and avail myself of further government assistance because my income was lost. A stip club may be an odious way to spend your FEMA money, but remember, it is still a small business that pays taxes and fees to the local government, as well as the federal government. Better to keep as much business alive as possible, not to mention they keep people employed.

Even if an inspector general is appointed, as President Bush has vowed, any improprieties would be revealed after the money has been squandered. Already there are published accounts of "victims" using their FEMA emergency funds in strip clubs.

Sorry, I am not going to say it is ok for money I and OTHER AMERICANS are donating should be spent on crap like this. All the whining and poor mouthing that was being done on TV about "we lost our houses" "we ain't gots no food" "we are lootin' cause we need to feed our family" and now to find out it is being squandered away by some.....Makes you want to think twice about donating the next time. I KNOW I will be thinking twice before I do again.