Doctorj asks that residents of the Gulf coast need not beg for help from the government rebuilding the region. Perhaps the residents of the region can grasp that the government, as well as a good part of the rest of the country, is unsure that rebuilding the region is in the best interests of anyone, particularly the residents who inisist on rebuilding in an area that could very well be destroyed again as soon as it is rebuilt. I love the gulf coast just as millions of others do, but have great reservations about sinking billions of dollars into this roll of the dice. How often do you think the government can bail out a whole demographic region without the rest of the country saying "Whoa, hold on here." I think the planning of the future of the coast and NO will take years, much less the rebuilding process, and it should. We all need to take a lesson here on responsible use of our resources like the wetlands and coastal regions. It is plain to me that the stakes are too high to put it back like it was, as sad as that is for the residents.

I've been reading and researching quite a few aspects of world disaters lately. I find it very depressing that all the people who post their stories are waiting for the government to bail them out. Makes me wonder what would ever happen if we had a war within our borders. Hate to say it but stand up and try being responsible. The government is not responsible for everything that happens. Try looking at who made the decision to live in a location destined for a disaster. If you don't like the way things are being handled take control, fix your problem and get on with it. I've been there so don't think I'm just spouting off, Ft Walton home destroyed. I did what I needed to, fixed my house and never asked for any handouts. Try being what an American should be; PROUD.

The key to restoring New Orleans and the devasted coastal regions on any reasonable timeline rests with the Federal Government and a massive commitment of billions of dollars. Bush rightly explains that the massive budget deficit complicates and limits what the administration can do now. He forgot to mention two things. First Bush, the beacon of conservatism, created the deficit by giving the ultra-rich (and conservative) unconscionable tax reductions, claiming it would fire up and drive the economy. He followed that by dragging us into a money pit of a war that he tried to sell as one that would be paid for in short order with Iraqi oil. Second, 4 years after these cuts, he refuses to roll them back claiming that the economy's modest rebound is somehow a sign that his tax giveaway did what he had claimed, ignoring the established economic principle that our economy is like the weather. Do nothing, wait long enough, and it will change.

Now, after a national disaster of epic proportions, when the government should already be jumping in with both feet, helping draw up, coordinate, and fund the massive rebuilding effort he is reduced to spouting simplistic, illogical platitudes with an empty hand. The solution is simple. Bush's wealthiest-of-the wealth friends have glutted at the public trough long enough. He has but to allow the tax cut to end, and the funding that he promised will be available; there will be more than enough to do what it takes to rebuild and enliven the blighted southern coast. The excess "new" revenue could begin to pay off the budget deficit as did his "liberal tax-and-spend" predecessor.

My idea of America has been altered forever. I live in the disaster zone. I have family that lives in hard hit areas of the northshore of Lake Ponchatrain and coastal MS. We are all natives of our beloved New Orleans. Talk, talk, talk. Everyone is great at talking. Backing up the talk with money and action is another thing all together. Everything that has been acomplished here, besides the hauling of debris, has been done by individuals and volunteers. My neighbors cleared the road of the hundreds of fallen trees where I live. The Salvation Army, Red Cross, the churches, and school volunteers are the people on the ground. I have volunteered in New Orleans cleaning street and parks. WHERE IS THE GOVERNMENT? Besides the perky statements of the president (with no real commitment of resources) and the occasion senator telling us why we don't deserve to exist, nothing seems to be happening. Where are all the billions they are supposedly throwing at us? I did have one bit of good news. Two weeks ago my 80 year old mother in Pass Christian, MS got drinkable water again for the first time since Katrina hit in August 2005. My life, though changed by the great influx of population from the south shore, is back together. But anyone who has seen the vast stretches the destruction in LA and MS know they cannot do it alone. It needs government action. America, stop making us beg and help us!

It is amazing to me that most of America has forgotten how much destruction still remains in the Gulf Coast area. True to form, we resume our task of being self absorbed and we send our money to the Red Cross and somehow believe that we no longer have to deal with it because someone else will take care of the rest.

And thank you Mr. Gregory for being in the middle of the plight and despair of a community that is still trying to understand, recover and rebuild when it seems the rest of us are too wrapped up in our own self preservation to help.

I am a young man that wishes I could do more. Yes, I have internet access, and a phone, a home and lights. I just wish I could share it.