In any case the media portrays the bleakest and most dire of stories and seeks material to bash Bush, to play into the racial-class war theme they are trying to stick to him. (And are unable to!)
In most places the situation is far more hopeful and helpful -- people helping each other, working to rescue and recover. Humanity at its best under the dread circumstances.
Your Auusie mates got thrown in the worst of it, for sure.