In the hierarchy of suffering which exists in our stratified society, there is always one group that ends up on bottom. Those on the bottom were left behind--no way to get to the roofs or into attics. Their caretakers abandoned them in large numbers. This is discrimination which isn't based upon race or class. It is based upon age.

I say this with near 100% certainty: the majority of the dead who will be found in New Orleans will be the elderly. Many will have been abandoned in institutions by the staff. Some will have been abandoned in homes by their families.

45 elderly patients abandoned in one of the hospitals, found dead this week.

20 elderly patients abandoned in one of the nursing homes, found dead this week.

You won't see much outrage about this fact in the mainstream media. In fact, you won't see much reporting about it at all, even though the fact that the majority of the dead will have been elderly people abandoned by caretakers and families. Best to just gloss over the nasty, pretend like it isn't there. It's one of those ugly secrets about ourselves none of us is willing to admit. We discriminate more against the elderly and disabled than any other demographic group in the US.