I have not been in a situation like the folks in the path of Katrina nor do i wish to. A lot of people messed up big, including the govt, and especially the people in the path of Katrina. This area is hurricane prone, hurricanes happen, they are a way of life. The gov't messed up in not listening to experts in the city speaking of the levys, they are not strong enough etc. But I believe the residence of New Orleans are partly to blame. How many people in this area don't take approaching hurricanes seriously. How many folks say they will ride out storms because they are not that bad. I followed the hurrican on television when it crossed Florida. Why don't people take some accountability on evacuating the city without being told. Weather forcasters are just that, they forecast what they think may happen. The Weather Channel was telling people to get out. How many didn't? And some of those that didn't are placing blame on others. Why does the gov't need to tell you to leave? Why do the forecasters need to tell you to leave? Why don't you ask yourself why you didn't leave when you had the better opportunity? I think many folks need to look at themselves and ask why is it that I need to be told what to do.

What worries me is that the Quarter will return to what it was before Katrina. People coming to New Orleans to party and have a good time without any idea of the social problems surrounding it. Of the many people who have traveled to New Orleans before Katrina, I would bet that 99 percent of them had never heard of the ninth ward until they heard about it on MSNBC, CNN, FOX or some other cable news last September.

It is funny that everyone speaks of the great food and music of this city, but the food and the music come from the neighborhoods. Without the people of the nieghborhoods surrounding the quarter, that music and food never would have been created.

This city and state needs to realize that a major city in the twenty-first city cannot rely on tourism as the backbone of it's economy.

I have watched C-span today, with their coverage of Katrina, one year ago. It is truly amazing that at the end of a year so little has been done, and so many people are still away from home, because they have no hope of a home to return to! Can't the United States do better than this for it's citizens?

Amazingly written Steve and Cudos to the "Faces of the Gulf". I agree with your one blogger who says that this area (New Orleans) is truly a unique area. As a Northshore resident for many year I have also notices the many changes here in the area. I believe many of these changes are not so good but on the other hand many have been great. As the anniversary of Katrina approaches I find myself reflecting over the past year. I see that I look at things a little different today than I did this time last year. I hug my husband more, I talk to my kids more, and yes, I even speak to my neighbors more. I was one who did not evacuted and was lucky enough not to have much damage done to my property but I will never forget that long night or that long day or the long weeks that followed. I still feel the local and federal government failed Louisiana and Mississippi in many ways during those weeks and days before and following the storms and in many ways has continued to fail us still today. But I must tell you that amongst the failure of what we felt should have been came the courage of the everyday citizens. The fireman, the doctors, the okalahoma indians who came and distributed food, the national guard who came and drove thorough our neighborhoods and provided protection when our police depts. where stretched to the max. and those who spent their summers and school vactions to help us rebuild are towns. These are our heros. And Steve they are still here. Here on the Northshore we can still walk in Walmart or walk in a restraunt and people still ask " How are you doing since the storm". There is still a community feeling of "togetherness". I hear alot on televison about the things going wrong here since Katrina and I believe all those things are important and need to be told. I also believe that the good needs to be told as well. Tell your viewers that admist all the chaos, fraud and politicians bickering that the people (those of who call Louisiana our home) are good and decent people. Tell them that while trying to rebuild our lives again we have found out what really is important in life. Material things we have found are easy to replace but the friends we have, the neighbors that we suddenly came to depend on in the hours and days after the storm are irreplaceable. I applaud MSNBC for not forgetting the plight of the those of us in these region. Keep up the good work.

Steve,
I think this is great; "Faces from the Gulf". As a native here I see the changes that have occured since Katrina. The verdict is still out as to whether those changes are good or bad; but this I do know. The people of New Orleans and the surrounding area (Mississippi as well) are a different breed of people. We are unique in our own way. Not much can keep us down. This was proven by our unwillingness to not give up after Katrina hit. I am glad that reporters like yourself have taken the time to meet the unique and wonderful people of our town. I would like to "Thank You" for sharing with your viewers and your readers.

I was happy to read Grandpa Elliott's optimistic view of the future of the French Quarter. I hope tourism comes back soon--which will in turn bring New Orleans back.

Looking forward to seeing more of "Faces from the Gulf..."

Thank you for showing these heroes, for that is what they are. I know what conditions are in the city and many diehards are hitting the wall now. Look America! These people are the story of Louisiana. They all show the grit it takes to keep going through unbelievable obstacles and governmental abandonment.

I hope that you pay particular attention to how the New Orleans area will change with respect to property ownership and how that property ownership will come about. News indications are that the poor blacks are being "pushed out" of the area, large-scale razing, condemnation, and eminent domain acquisitions are being brought to be borne out in this scenario of wealth undermining the previous area's population, essentially, turining that population into a prominent "white" population, despite Ray Nagin's assertions that New Orleans would remain "chocolate" colored.A fulscale report on this matter would be enlightening!