Barbara--Thanks for the thought-provoking post! I agree that there's a lot that could have been done in the way of upgrading in New Orleans in the past, that would either have prevented the levee breaches or otherwise kept damage to a mininum so rebuilding would be easier--but unfortunately since this is not a perfect world they weren't done. About Nagin, I wouldn't have voted to re-elect him either, for his snafus during Katrina and "chocolate city" remark, but recall having heard that the mayoral vote had been very close.

Regarding the Superdome--when I first heard that it was going to be refurbished, bad memories of the hellish place it had been during Katrina were fresh in my mind, so I was against it. However, since then I have changed my mind. Reason being, its reopening and the fact that the Saints have been playing there (among other things the "Dome" is being used for) has provided much-needed normality and entertainment to the people in New Orleans, who need respite from their problems. I recall having heard that the seats for Saints games had been sold out all season. And Saints games and the other sporting events that have been taking place in the "Dome" have attracted some tourists. New Orleans, which has been losing tourism dollars in the wake of Katrina, needs this tourist draw. Last but not least, being able to focus on the winning season of the Saints had a therapeutic spirit-lifting effect on New Orleans and her people. In light of all that, I now believe that the Superdome was worth the money.

Regarding Jack's remark--I agree 100% that partisan politics is behind the neglect of New Orleans and can name any number of places besides Florida where the Bush Administration would be pro-active in seeing to reconstruction. Perhaps Louisiana should secede from the union and apply for foreign aid--not only would she then manage to pry money out of a stingy, mean-spirited Bush Administration--she might even merit mention in Bush's 2008 State of the Union message.

Bush Administration inaction regarding New Orleans is truly a scandal which ought to get a great deal more attention than it has been getting. It is unconscionable not only for the Bush Administration to continue it and fellow GOP members to support him, but for the milquetoast Democrats of Congress not to stand up to this evil. And for the mainstream media to support President Bush by not regularly covering New Orleans as long as this neglect persists. As Edmund Burke once said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing."

I believe that a series of unfortunate events came together to cause the problem that exists in New Orleans today. The first being that we have known for years that the city could not withstand a direct hit from a hurricane. Hindsight? You bet, but it would have been easier to upgrade necessary areas before Katrina than it is now, to repair them while rebuilding the city. Another, is that idiot Nagin, and the citizens who reelected him! All I've seen him do so far is to pull the race card, which does not help his citizens and alienates right-minded people who want to help. I think the homeowner to renter ratio was another factor. The renters fled, and now they are waiting for their homes to be rebuilt. As a homeowner, I can assure you that I would rebuild my own home before I rebuilt my rental property. The renters might not be happy with the results - I heard there were complaints because the rents were going to cost more. Well, guess what - building materials cost a lot more than when many of these homes were built in the early 1900s. I think it was a bad PR move to rebuild that coliseum. It was a special interest project and it did not one thing to provide longterm help to that community. It should have been bulldozed to the ground considering all the associated memories and pictures. Do I think the government has done enough to help rebuild New Orleans? Maybe - maybe not, but I think the government has done all it is going to do. Many us us have helped with both time and money. Meanwhile, the wetlands are reclaiming their territory.

Unfortunately I believe partisan politics is to blame for the neglect of New Orleans. If it had been a Republican-dominated city in Jeb Bush's Florida that were hit by a hurricane, I'm sure the Bush administration would have been all over the relief effort and the city would have been rebuilt already.

Dear Sir or Madam, who points out that I have been sitting "day after day" and complaining about how things are being handled in New Orleans and asks what I've done: I HAVE donated money to Katrina victims. And more importantly, I happen to be an American taxpayer who cares deeply about Louisiana's recovery and wants to see the hard-earned money she pays into the system go towards helping struggling Louisianians rebuild New Orleans and the rest of the storm-ravaged parts of their state. Instead of bugging me about my "mindless blogs," here are a couple of things which, as the American taxpayer I assume you are, since you did not provide your location, SHOULD truly outrage you: 1.) Yesterday, the Bush Administration pledged $770 million towards reconstruction in LEBANON. 2.) Today, it has been reported that $10.6 BILLION has been pledged to aid AFGHANISTAN--part of which will be going towards reconstruction. While here in our own country we have a ruined city that looks worse than Beirut or Kabul and would be a far better place to spend this reconstruction money. The only good thing about these foreign aid pledges is that they have to be approved by Congress. Wouldn't you rather see your tax dollars spent here at home, rebuilding New Orleans? And last but not least, regarding my "safe surroundings" in Illinois: They may seem safe, but actually part of the New Madrid fault system runs beneath our feet. It could go at any time. Katrina and Bush Administration should not be forgotten and treated as though they were a local issue pertaining only to Louisiana, Mississippi, and neighboring states--they actually are a NATIONAL issue because of the implications regarding future disasters--or, in the new normal, terrorist attacks--which could happen anywhere at any time--even where you live. I only hope that when a major disaster hits where you live, the government does a better job of handling it than it did Katrina.

Brian, I must add my kudos to all of you at "Nightly News" for your continued coverage of Iraq -- your focus on our sons & daughters, et al., who are over there.

In contrast, I heard the White House press secretary a few days ago complain that there's too much emphasis on "body count" (& not enough coverage of the work our troops are accomplishing). I almost fell over. I wonder was there any feedback following that remark?

You, through your sensitive, compassionate, factual coverage, keep us focused on who our "troops" actually are, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, & more.

I wonder if, instead of tossing out comments about generic "troops", the war mongers were required to substitute the words that tell who the troops are to us at home. Would they then think twice before sending sons, daughters, friends, mothers, fathers, et al., so cavalierly into battle?

Thank you!

People committing murders in this country are disgruntled Americans. Does that mean they shouldn't be crushed?

War with Iran? As I have always felt... The US is deliberately trying to provoke a broader war in the Middle East. Watching it come from a far has been very educational to see how slow and methodical the massaging of public opinion has been... I love the insurgence label... implying foreign fighters when 99% of them were disgruntled Iraqis.

Olivia. It's one thing to sit there day after day and complain of the way things are being handled in New Orleans from your safe surroundings in Il. Besides sending out mindless blogs to the world with irrelevant and second hand selective information, I'm curious. What have you done besides talk to help the problem. It's time to pick a different topic to rant about for awhile.

I can't help but observe that it took approximately 20+ minutes before the first positive storyline from last night's news. Even on good economic news the tone/timber of Brian's voice is palpably somber. As a long time viewer I continually hope for more upbeat news.

Brian,
Yet another amazing segment by Ann Curry. I hope she is able to attend the opening of the Fisher House in San Antonio this weekend.

Did you know that ex-FEMA director Michael Brown has said that blatant partisan politics entered into how the Bush Administration mishandled its response to Katrina? Here's the Cliff's Notes version: Per Brown, Karl Rove called for the federalization of Louisiana because Gov. Blanco is female and a Democrat--but said the Administration couldn't do that in Mississippi, ruled by male, Republican Gov. Barbour.

Did you know that, following Brown's revelations, Gov. Blanco is calling for Congress to investigate Katrina response? Also, she has pointed out several examples of how the Bush Administration has favored Mississippi, led by the above-mentioned GOP potentate and a firm friend of the administration, over Louisiana. Blanco has said in effect that "Washington Republicans" have consistently punished and discriminated against Louisiana and her people. Here are the 2 most recent instances:

Exhibit A: Just in time for Christmas, FEMA awarded Mississippi over $280 million for more permanent "Katrina cottages" as alternatives to FEMA trailers. Louisiana received a paltry $75.4 million. So, to use a seasonal metaphor, Santa dug deep into his bag of goodies for Mississippi, but gave Louisiana a lump of coal.

Mississippi has 31,700 such trailers, while Louisiana has more than double that amount. Not to mention the fact that Louisiana sustained 80% of the storm damage including the loss of 80% of New Orleans, and lost over 200,000 homes, only a fraction of which have been replaced.

This means Louisiana is condemned to suffer from the painful festering sores of FEMA trailer parks which have been hotbeds of crime including drug dealing, prostitution, and murder. While the majority of people in such trailer parks are ordinary families, working people, the elderly, et. al. who had lost their homes to either Katrina or Rita, their lives must be more than a little difficult with the criminal activity in their midst. Besides this, the trailers are cramped and flimsy, and in the unusually chilly winter southern Louisiana has been having, cold.

But this is not the worst regarding those FEMA trailers: Next month, 10's of thousands in Louisiana will be losing this housing unless the Bush Administration extends the standard 18-month time limit for federal aid. The temporary help cannot end--and should not end--until the survivors have someplace else to go. But I wouldn't put it past the Bush Administration to do nothing, literally forcing those in FEMA trailers out on the streets.

Exhibit B: In recently-announced health care grants, the Dept. of Health and Human Services awarded Louisiana only 55% of the funding to help rehabilitate hospital beds, when she had 97% of the damage. Louisiana urgently needs her fair share of this aid--only 2 hospitals, which are operating in battlefield conditions, are open in New Orleans. Also, Louisiana's mental health system is on the verge of a breakdown.

It's time for the Bush Administration's consistent discrimination against Louisiana and her people to stop. What Louisiana needs is to be nursed gently back to health, not to be punished. President Bush's treatment so far of Louisiana can be compared to the behavior of an abusive, neglectful husband whose wife is severely and painfully wounded both physically and emotionally. He does not really care enough to want her whole, happy, and healthy--so whenever she asks for the medical treatment she needs, he attempts to reassure her by whispering empty, sweet nothings in her ear--like his promise that America would "do what it takes" to see New Orleans "rise again," that he wants a "Louisiana that's vibrant," and that he's always had a warm spot in his heart for Louisiana. Occasionally he throws her a few "crumbs" in the way of "Band-Aid" measures. But he doesn't get her the sort of effective medical attention she needs to fully recover.

Last night's emotional report by Martin Savidge on those National Guard troops who'd died in the crash and the families they'd left behind was profoundly moving and thought-provoking. Especially when Savidge said the troops and their families were "all of us." I could not help but think of neglected Louisiana storm survivors, saddened by the fact that Bush made no mention of their hardships in his State of Denial address, freezing in crowded, uncomfortable FEMA trailers from which they could soon be evicted, surrounded by crime...and wondering, couldn't they be "all of us," too?

Beautiful story on the crew of the crashed helicopter.

Brian...We taped the news tonight so that we could celebrate our son's birthday. We were so glad that we did. The story of the twelve killed in the helicopter crash certainly brought home this wars effect on families and communities. The story on Fisher House was very moving. I must admit both moved me to tears. Thanks to your staff and you for always interjecting the human side to this war and not just the politics.

THE BLACKHAWK down crash in IRAG segment was staggeringly emotionally powerful. accolades to the NBC staff and their work. it once again searingly illuminates the onoging fiasco that this administration has gotten us into"the mother of all messes" as has been said and can easily be argued as the greatest foreign policy in US history. arrogance and ignorance , the historians will document. 34 children lost their parents. This story will have reverberations!!!!!!

I can't thank you enough for the story of the 13 soldiers killed in the blackhawk. I can't believe the people of this country are so indifferent about the war. I am astonished that there are not marches in the street demanding our pull out. It's as if the election never happened. Bush and Cheney just push on with their Imperial Presidency. undetered with the fact that no one supports them.
Keep up the good work. You may yet wake up the population.

Tonight's broadcast was excellent. The in depth reporting on the soldiers killed and on Fisher House was very informative and appreciated. I also loved the panda story. It was kind of random, but it was a nice balance to the bad news of the day. Thank you!

Thank you Brian and NBC for showing us the faces of the military who fight the civil war in Iraq. The Fisher House and Welcome Home stories are needed to help us remember that each statistic of American loss or injury reported in the news, is a service man or woman and their family, who are affected. One feels humbled to witness the severity of injuries incurred in Iraq. It is good to know the Fishers have been there to help pick up the pieces for these members of the military and their families. Please continue to keep these military faces in our faces, so we will all recognize the toll the Iraq civil war is taking on America. If you show us long enough, perhaps the President too will finally realize the results of his policies, on our people, budget and national interests but then that would be too optimistic.

Just when one is overwhelmed by the Iraq news, you showed the bumper crop of Pandas in China. Thanks for that too. We all need to smile.

Brian and fellow bloggers -

OT - This past week I've been reading one of those walking-around books - you know, you just can't put it down. It is the latest novel by Richard North Patterson - "Exile". Here's a brief blurb from the jacket.

'Culminating in a tense and staertly trial with international ramifications, Exile is that rare novel that both entertains and enlightens. At once an intricate tale of betrayal and deception, a moving love story, and a fascinating journey into the lethal politics of the Middle East, this is both brilliant and engrossing.'

a personal note: last summer, one of my penpals from Haifa spent weeks in her bomb shelter under her house - she had computer access and I accumulated over 24 pages of correspondence between us. I also have a map of 'The Holy Land' on my office wall which I used to locate the areas of which she spoke and I used it this past week while reading Exile.

Thanks for listening - I promise I'll get back to what fun we all had at the SOTU watching Nancy blink her contacts, and the fact that so many members of Congress will be MIA on the campaign trail, that the NY Times printed my Letter to the Editor on that subject this past week. I also had a birthday, which I tried to ignore, but the kids took me out to dinner anyway.

Thanks again Brian for being the blogger in chief and an inspiration for all of us. (Those new words for 2007 were really funny)

I really enjoyed your story on the Fisher Houses. I had a chance to utilize the one in Cincinnati Ohio and it was a real comfort (mine was just a small procedure). It is good for the troops to know that their family can be there to help them in their rehabilitation process. Would love to see more stories like this one, there is so much more to this war then the public knows about.

Thanks,
Dan Charles, Columbus, Ohio

God bless those who have lost there lives for us...I have to say I cried during most of the news tonite regarding the people who have fought/are fighting for us. I cry but I am getting more mad as the days pass with the state of our government and its response to this war!

Hello Brian, after watching 2 hours of news tonight, you put a smile on my face with the Panda story. The news can be so depressing, its nice to smile at the news. Thank you, Alice

The problems with Ford and the rest of American car companies might be from bad quality control when Toyota was building dependible cars, and anyone could see that. I bought a Chevy in 1975 and it was a piece of junk while my friend's Toyota was built like a tank. Maybe they finally have seen the light.

I've followed the Libby case from the beginning. Cathie Martin Public Affairs Director seems to have more classified information then Libby. Libby can't remember anything about who he spoke to because he was so busy. Yet he knows in detail Tom Cruise's visit and his son's birthday party. If Libby can fool the jurors to believe he has memory lost he'll be back at work in the White House after the trial. Tim Russert only needs to tell the truth Fitzgerald has done a great job at proving Libby's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. I did notice how the White House used the journalist by giving them fake information. At lease this trial lets Americans know how the White House played Journalist, American people and world leaders into believing the lies so Bush could invade Iraq. Notice how they picked the media people who most people trust. Cheney/Libby are smart they used and played NBC media knowing Americans trusted that station above others. The White House Fox news in their back pocket and they don't have alot of viewers.

This Libby thing is such a joke. Why isn't Armitage being charged if there was a crime in the first place?
The British government did report that Iraq sought uranium from Africa. The 16 words should have never been taken back by Ari Fleischer. The Senate Select Committee proved Wilson was a liar. Wilson was working for Kerry as an advisor and speechwriter for the 04 campaign. Most of all when has the left in this country ever worried about endangering the CIA? some people in the State Dept, CIA, the Democrat (left off the IC on purpose) Party did their best to win an election. They lost!!
At least that's my knuckle dragging mouth breather fly over state view of how things went down.

How can an American company lost 10 bn Dollar in one fiscal year. There has to be some incredible failure in management and on corporate level.
Thanks for bringing more news from Iraq and Mississippi State. It's great that Brian is a member of the CMoH Foundation.