[Marilyn]

We were talking about it here last week. We also experience some of the side effects of the huge evacuation and relocation in this area, though not to the extent that Houston does. It will probably take 100 years or more for New Orleans to recover. It is still such a huge mess there. And I do pretty much agree with Diana. We had a hugh flood here in '98. Rooftop and treetop rescues on CNN, thousands of people were affected, but now you don't see much indication that there was a flood. Most, but not all, of the condemned buildings have been torn down and people have relocated to higher ground. FEMA did buy some of the homes and help people with relocation. New Orleans was just too much for FEMA to effectively handle, and I believe a higher percentage of the people in N.O. expected the government to bail them out than did around here.

Sad situation, but they did live below sea level and they did elect the politicians responsible for not maintaining the levies. The poor maintenance and subsequent levie failure is what got them, not so much the actual hurricane. At least that's what we heard around here.