I don't mean to seem unsympathetic, because I do feel bad for all the people who lost everything in Lousiana and Mississippi as a result of Katrina, but I am really getting angry about the stupidity and selfishness of the people who did not evacuate when they were told to. The cost of the rescue resources they are monopolizing that would be better used elsewhere should be charged to them - but that is impossible, of course, because they are overwhelmingly poor and now have less than they had before.

OK, they could not get out because they didn't have transportation - so you get out on the road and stick out your thumb! People come together and are cooperative during times of impending natural calamity. They had plenty of warning by the best forecasting science has to offer and they were warned by the authorities. Let's see: a category 4 or 5 hurricane is coming and my home is below sea level. Well duh, I can withstand 130 MPH winds so I am gonna stay and dodge flying 2X4's using my spider-senses.... jeeze.

So now this thing gets worse every day, and some people are even blaming the rescuers for being slow. But they shouldn't have to put themselves in harms way, and the people that need to be rescued should not even be there.

I really think New Orleans is done. Move the city to higher ground. Make a swimming pool out of its present location. Assist the citizens with free land and reduced housing. Exempt them from income tax for a few years. Reimburse them for moving costs if they choose to move to other cities.