>John,
>
>You appear to be right about running down there to volunteer. I have been trying to do so and can't find any organization that wants people, they just want money. Maybe this is perfectly reasonable -- trained people wanted, hearts on their sleeve volunteers not needed. I want to help out (more than monetarily, which I have already done) and am thwarted at every turn. It's frustrating.

I actually think there will be calls for volunteers like myself who are willing to pitch in. I just think this will not happen until several things take place. Law and order restoration in New Orleans and Mississippi (read: disarming of the looters and gangs), pumping out of the water in New Orleans, and the clearing of major roads so volunteer clean up crews can get into the areas. Right now the efforts are primarily on providing the essentials to the refugees. Whoever thought we would ever be using the term "refugees" for people in our own country?