I HAVE 6 SOUTHERN LOUISIANA EVACUEES STAYING WITH ME NOW + GUSTAV ON GUSTAV

This family has stated with my wife and I 3 times now in 4 years. They avoided a direct hit from Katrina, although they had a lot of damage to their place in Thibodaux. Here in Nashville, thousands of Gustav evacuees are being put up by families, with an estimated 5000 more staying at local Red Cross shelters and churches.

This time their house is in the direct path of the worst of it. The worry is etched on their faces. We made them as comfortable as we can, and have let their kids run wild with our Wii. For the next few days we'll make the best of it and try to have a little fun while we're at it.

My neighbor two doors down lost everything in Katrina. He's a professor of architectural historic preservation and formerly taught at Tulane University. His stories of the gross incompetence of not only the government response, but also the arrogant, callous treatment by his insurance company are chilling. Fortunately, even though he didn't get full fair market value for his home, he did get enough to buy the house on 2 acres 2 doors down from me in town in Nashville.

On a lighter note, it's karmic justice that the GOP convention be disrupted at this moment. John McCain had a birthday party while Katrina struck, and then joked about it on TV. He did not visit N.O. for almost a year following Katrina. Now he's a concern troll. HUH?

Here's "Gustav", the largest Nile crocodile ever seen, commenting on his feelings about the RNC convention disruption:

CRY ME A RIVER GOP - Crococile tears to ya !!

God bless you.

Give him a pat on the head for me.

an hour ago and we counted at least 25 LA license plates when we stopped counting. They were all in the left lane and so it seemed as though they're trying to travel together and keep an eye on each other.

They didn't stop in Chattanooga and passed our exit so I don't know if they're headed to Bradley County or into Knoxville or just where.

I'm hoping for the best for anyone who couldn't evacuate. :hug:

It's people like you, that allow me to have some faith in the country in which I have none.

I'd like to say this to you.

This country is better for people like you and your family.



:toast: :hi: :hi: :toast: :grouphug: :hi: :hi: :grouphug: :toast:

Cool Pic of Gustav:patriot: