Odds and Ends

According to the Center for Disease Control infectious diseases such as cholera and typhoid are unlikely to become epidemic in this country. Mosquito-borne diseases and diseases related to unsanitary conditions—such as those which existed in the Superdome--are another matter, however.

*****

Somebody needs to keep an eye on New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin.

“Today was a turning point, I think,” he said. “My philosophy is never get too high, never get too low. ... I always try to keep my emotions in check and yesterday I kind of went off a little bit. I was worried about that, but it maybe worked out. I don’t know. If the CIA slips me something and next week you don’t see me, you’ll all know what happened.”

(Emphasis mine.)

Either Mr. Nagin was already this crazy or seeing his city destroyed—and/or knowledge of his own incompetence--has driven him 'round the bend. Not sure why the CIA—read: the president--would want to shut him up. Were I GWB, I’d want this guy to keep talking.

*****

And the goblins are still haunting New Orleans, attempting to hinder progress. But, fortunately, they are with their father now. And I’m not talking about God.

Police shot and killed at least five people Sunday after gunmen opened fire on contractors crossing a bridge to make levee repairs, The Associated Press reported. [SNIP]

The Army Corps of Engineers told AP that 14 contractors escorted by police were fired upon while crossing the Danziger Bridge, which spans a canal connecting Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River.

If I left out the place names, you’d think this report came from Iraq. Is there anyplace else in America where the residents would attack other Americans who were trying to save their lives and stop the total destruction of their city?

“I never thought that at a National Guardsman I would be shot at by other Americans,” said Spc. Philip Baccus of the 527th Engineer Battalion. “And I never thought I’d have to carry a rifle when on a hurricane relief mission. This is a disgrace.” [SNIP]

“This is making a lot of us think about not reenlisting.” Ferguson said. “You have to think about whether it is worth risking your neck for someone who will turn around and shoot at you. We didn’t come here to fight a war. We came here to help.”

Victims, my big, black behind.

(Thanks to LGF and Mudville Gazette)

KATRINA RELIEF: The Humane Society of the United States. At least if they bite back, it's only instinct.

Yeah, I said it. Get over it.