I think that remains to be seen. While coverage of the hundreds of dead stacked in the aisles of the Superdome prompted cries of anguish and gnashing of teeth (all directed at the Bush administration) from the mainstream media, details of reality are trickling out quietly with little or no media coverage. I mean, why would they cover it? It makes them look bad and makes the Bush administration seem a little less incompetent (by their measure). So has the American public already turned the channel with echoes of "mass deaths" ringing in their ears, or are they still tuned in and looking at our lying media with new skepticism.
"or are they still tuned in and looking at our lying media with new skepticism."
I think they're still tuned in and waiting for more information. After all, when you hear from local officials and the media that there have been these atrocities (especially that cannibalism nonsense), you expect to hear about the perpetraters being arrested, more details, etc., and we've heard nothing. I blame the media primarily for promoting this hysteria 24/7.
I for one will never forget the sight of the shamelessly showboating Geraldo reporting from outside the Superdome, licking his lips, ratcheting up the hysteria with his voice booming "It is DANTE'S INFERNO inside there!!! I have NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS!! Come nightfall ALL HELL WILL BREAK LOOSE INSIDE THE SUPERDOME!!!!!
Meanwhile, you could see dozens of evacuees twenty feet behind Geraldo, calmly wiping their brows, fanning themselves with pieces of cardboard, in general looking miserably uncomfortable, but NOT like they were ready to turn on each other and commit the unspeakable acts Geraldo was obviously hungering to report.