katrina: 9/11 families, foreigners, and Congress

Some families of 9/11 victims have said they will try to help survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Said William Doyle, who's son Joseph Doyle was killed on September 11, "I think it's really heartbreaking. Unfortunately, these people aren't getting the help that the 9/11 families got."

Foreigners are offering aid to us in Katrina's aftermath. We rejected assistance from Cuba, but otherwise have apparently been accepting help. I think that's fine -- the US can afford to do this on our own, but symbolically if nothing else it's good to accept the assistance from others.

As Congress returns from its nice, Bush-like summer vacation, Republicans face the fact that their usual legislative diet of tax breaks for the rich and subsidies for big businesses might be more difficult to do while faced with the task of rebuilding after Katrina. I agree with the writer -- Katrina, if handled properly, could have been a significant boost for Bush's standing on the Hill. But as it is, Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu, tired of the de facto President's badmouthing of local officials, said "One more word about it after this show airs and I might likely have to punch him. Literally."

Now I'd pay to see that on HBO!