This has nothing to do with National Guard troops being in Iraq. If there were no troops in Iraq, the sequence of events would not have played out any differently.

Perhaps if you suggest the Louisianans should turn out their representation, do you also think their Democrat Governor should be held at least as accountable? After all, Louisiana is her full time job. The "neo-cons" don't run the state.

In fact New Orleans is a town pretty much run by a Democrat machine. Despite this, I would suggest that it is not a R or D thing. It is more then anything else, a natural disaster.

I would hesititate trying to push a national RedState/BlueState lens onto New Orleans. I would remind people to realzie that Louisiana politics have always been one of the country's most colorful. In fact, there are a number of very good books for sale about Huey Long, state politics and the infamous Long subsequent dynasty.

Louisiana has always lived by its own set of rules. (that is a state that utilizes the Napoleonic legal code, for example) It's not a secret that the city's 1920s era system of dirt levys should be redone. It wasn't a secret twenty five years ago either.

I have been rattled all week watching the New Orleans news. Among other things, I was just there in June walking around Canal St, the French Quarter, etc. It is so sad. We just need to hang on and get through it. I will be happy to do what I can myself to help that beautiful city emerge into something even better.

Steve