Like everyone else I have been stunned by what I'vee seen on the various news channels about the aftermath of hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. I don't really have the words to express myself so I'll point to the words of others that express how I feel

1. From Shelley Powers's post Stopping the World

   However, I’m finding that the contention and anger surrounding this event is becoming increasingly difficult to absorb. I can’t seem to maintain enough detachment to keep from being pulled completely in, and by the end of the day, I’m feeling emotionally drained and physically sick. Some of this is coming from the worries, frustrations, and the sense of loss–of people, of history–because of Katrina. But not all.

   Debate should energize, not drain. When it doesn’t, you need to step away. When I read the headline, Condi returns to DC after Bloggers expose vacation about how wrong it was for Rice to buy expensive shoes while people are suffering in New Orleans, it was enough. And I find I don’t have the words to explain why.

   While I’m taking a breather, some folks with good thoughts:

   Joseph Duemer: Small Town Accountability

   Jeneane Sessum: President Bush Declares War on Weather

   Dave Rogers: What can I say and Unbelievable

   A question and answer that Dave Winer had about the future impact of Katrina–beyond the South. In particular, check out the comments associated with the question.

   Loren Webster: Two Worlds Apart

   Frank Paynter: Down on our Luck

   Scott Reynen: Fear Kills

   Sheila Lennon provides a continuously updated round of news.

   Norm Jenson: Incompetence

   Charles Eicher: Outrage Overload

   Karl: We would have fought or died

   Lauren points to Culture of Life

   There are others, but this is a good start.
2. From Doc Searls's post Prophecies 

   This event won't have ripple effects. The consequences will be tidal: on transportation, on agriculture, on lumber and other supplies, on retailing, on churches and on citizens across the country who will need to take on the burden of caring for refugees and helping others start new lives.

   Katrina also force us to face a subject even Demoncrats[sic] have stopped talking about, although it lurks beneath everything: class. When the dead are counted, most of them will have been poor. Count on it.

3. From Paul Graham's essay Inequality and Risk

   Like many startup founders, I did it to get rich. But not because I wanted to buy expensive things. What I wanted was security.