NBC reporter Brian Williams rode out the storm at the Superdome. His story aired at 10:30 pm on November 19'th. A couple of things he reported struck a chord with me.

He was critical of how rough the National Guardsmen were with the citizens as they arrived. He questioned the aggressive pat downs and was told they were needed to take cigarette lighters away so the no smoking ban could be enforced. He observed that each incoming citizen was issued an MRE that included a pack of matches.

He commented on the decency and vulnerability and misery of the people he met in the dome. He noted that no one provided any information. He commented on the increase of misery after the storm as people were left in the heat, stench, and without supplies. He reported none of the violence that consumed the national attention immediately after the storm.

He reported on how sad he felt to leave the people he had met when the press was evacuated the day after the storm (but he did not stay). The first evacuees were moved to Texas on Thursday, September 1st. Can you imagine how you would feel if you were traumatized by a storm then left in the heat and the dark with your families for days without food, water and sanitation? Can you imagine how you would feel when you saw others evacuated, but you were left behind?