Bill, is there a possibility that rather than try to feed and house the home-torn people in the area, they will simply remove them to points farther north and east and west while they try to bring a semblance of sanity and coherence out of the chaos in the stricken regions?

I made the point to a friend that even though the situation makes one feel like rushing down there to help, it would be totally counter productive- they have too many people there already.

In a delicious bit of irony I saw on the news that Venezuelan President Chavez made an offer to help:

"Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez offered to send food and fuel to the United States after the powerful Hurricane Katrina pummeled the US south, ravaging US crude production.

"The leftist leader, a frequent critic of the United States and a target himself of US disapproval, said Venezuela could send aid workers with drinking water, food and fuel to US communities hit by the hurricane.

"We place at the disposition of the people of the United States in the event of shortages -- we have drinking water, food, we can provide fuel," Chavez told reporters.

"Chavez said fuel could be sent to the United States via a Citgo refinery that has not been affected by the hurricane. Citgo is owned by Venezuela's state-owned oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA)."