New Orleans

Katrina has yet to hit, but I am quite worried about the 25000 people (lowest estimate) who are in the New Orleans Superdome (home of the Saints' football team). This stadium is claimed to be the sturdiest of the refuges in the city. Yet, once again, we see our society divided by those who have resources and those who don't. If the city imposes a mandatory evacuation, it should be providing those destitute citizens with the means to leave as well. The poor, the homeless and the frail (along with vounteers and the National Guard) are braving this storm because of inadequacy of federal and city emergency policies. I hope that they will be well protected. These satellite images are frightening (see also link for satellite imagery in left column).