Hello again everyone,

The last time I posted, Hurricane Katrina was about to make landfall and bring an unknown amount of distructive power to the Gulf Coast. Many people conjectured on how much damage would occur and what would be the aftermath - but as it turns out, no one was even close.

For years, even back to and before Hurricane Andrew, anytime a Hurricane or bad storm system approached the city of New Orleans - everyone talked about the "bowl effect" and the delicate levee system that protected the city - but after the storm, hurricane, or whatever - New Orleans was safe again and no one paid attention to the warnings mentioned beforehand - well now that's all changed.

Hindsight is always 20/20, but I believe that many Louisianan senators and representatives made it clear that the levees and pumping systems that keep New Orleans dry needed to be overhauled, or at best upgraded. It's my hope that now other such projects that will save the lives of thousands, or even millions, of people will not be put on the back-burner because they "cost to much to justify". I think the argument backing up that statement is about the be demolished much the same way Katrina demolished the Gulf Coast.

Along that line, there are many other places that I hope the world doesn't forget have been impacted by this storm, not only in Louisiana are there many other cities and towns that have been destroyed besides "New Orleans" - the only recognized city in Louisiana I believe, probably best stated by a "slip" of the tounge of Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff who called the state the "city of Louisiana" - but also the many cities and towns all over the nation who are taking all the refugees and are now busting at the seams in order to be hospitable.

I want to personally thank every city, family, association, church, and everyone else who's pitching in to assist the millions of people displaced by this storm plus all those who have made donations though the Red Cross, Salvation Army and many of the other telethons and specials for the hurrcane victims - thank you on behalf of all the individuals affected by the storm as pretty much everyone affected has nothing and must start over from scratch. Please be sure to donate anything you can - be it money or old clothes you no longer use - anything will be appreciated! If you are looking for other ways to assist, either nationally or locally, I am keeping a list going on my site at BastCastle.com (see the news item here).

Here's to hoping that the recovery of the region - and the nation - will go well, with everyone helping out, there's a great start to ensure that it will!