I would just like to say that the people who have remained in these hurricane ravished areas are true hereos.They have been going through an absolute nightmare. Your government, however, should be ashamed of themselves. They have all kinds of money for foreign countries, they should try keeping more at home.

Day by day, week by week, slow signs of progress all around. Yes it will be a long tough road back - but they will make it. The Gulf Coast is is need of laborers, people who don't mind rolling up their sleeves to assist. They wouldn't be where they are today if not for the religious groups and other good samaritans. God bless each and every one of you...until my return this month.

dang good article. precise and to the point

when a scar heals it is tougher than the rest of your skin!!! Heal well MISSISSIPPI

I liked the story for the most part, but why did you have to end it with such gross visual? For myself and my coworker, we wish you could illustrate our pain with a little less gruesome description.

The description was very aptly put. Was the storm not grueseome enough? I appreciated the allegory.

i just returned from volunteering with habitat for humanity in st bernards parish in la--believe me, that area has not recovered. there are maybe 10-15 businesses reopened out of 25,000 and most of them except walgreens and home depot are operating out of trailers in front of their destroyed businesses. there are piles of debris as high as the houses it came out of rotting in the street instead of in the houses. the whole 9th ward looks like the hurricane has just hit yesterday., people have fema trailers but they arent connected to electricity. it is absolutely incomprehensible and unbelievable what it is still like down there and its a shame that the news gives the same spin on the recovery of the area as bush does.

I have been to Biloxi, Mississippi twice as a volunteer since January. From January to my return in March, the difference was incredible- it looked less like a disaster zone and more like a living city beginning to recover.
I hope to return soon, and see all the progress that has been made.
The people of the Gulf Coast are an inspiration- I have never experienced so much hope and determination in the face of what is such a long journey back to "normal".

Wow, how short sighted some people are. To think that in that short amount of time,("It's afair bit of time, eight months.")everything should be back to normal. We had a tornado blow through here several YEARS ago and you can still see exactly where it went.
Time will make the signs less visible and will eventually make people forget that big ones blow through here from time to time. I just hope that next time they don't ask me or the government(That is NOT their responsibility) to help, because they should have learned from this one.

Beth and Andy thanks for the pat on the back. We need it to keep going and it is much appreicated.

Nikki you are right about St Bernard. Lots of us in Bay St Louis and Waveland have connections there.
We all have hard times, it is just different in each area.

Many of us stay for very good reasons and leaving we would loose jobs and what little we do own with our property or home that we can repair. I know people from St Bernard that cannot afford to buy a new home and it is still cheaper to try to repair their flooded home for their family. The goal for many is just to get the family together with a bit more room.

What we need is understanding and it is great to hear that.

Everyone talks about rebuilding after Katrina, but how can most people rebuild when Homeowners Insurance has gone so high. People who want to come home can't afford the insurances. How bad does it have to get before someone at the state or national level notices?

It seems as if, community by community, the Gulf Coast is breaking the grip of disaster that ravaged the lives of so many. But the job's far from complete and will take thousands more volunteers, many more dollars, and an ocean of sweat to put back together the world that was torn apart last fall. And the rivalries identified in the article prove a basic fact of life: that social evolution will soon distinguish those who want to move on and flourish from others who want to wait for someone else to rebuild for them.

To S. Conrad ... then I would suggest you stop eating seafood and bananas and everything else that is brought in by ship ... and stop driving your car as oil imports are brought in by ship ... and resign yourself to having no US Navy or Coast Guard as most of their ships are built on the coast ...

If you do all of this, then there will be no need to ask you for any help at all ... but make DAMN sure you ask for no help from anyone in the country next time your area is destroyed by a tornado .... after all, you should have learned from the last one!

Please don't forget that Southern Mobile County in Alabama was hit pretty hard. We have about 1000 homeless children living in trailers, and we thank God daily for the help from the faith-based organizations who seem to be the only ones who remember Alabama was hit too by Katrina.

I think you guys are great down there ...good work ..I was just woundering if the Clition /Bush Bennifit Fund has helped anyone there. or did they take the money and run .mmmmm? PS i'm truly not trying to flame anyone about this question.

It Amazes me that a country like ours works so backwards. So quick to help everyone else but their own. SHAM ON US! The "IN" thing now with stars and the government is Africa,not to say they don't need the help,but look in your own back yard first. We to need so much help and also have children from youe own country that need good homes.

I think an interesting consistency is the rebuilding and hope seen in the Mississippi Gulf Coast vs. the despair seen in LA. I know there are many exceptions, but Gov. Barbor was right on when he said that Mississippians are all about "hitching up their britches and getting back to work!" The highest winds and highest surges were on the MS side, but we're not sitting around waiting for help. While the help has been overwhelming, especially from religious groups, we're not waiting and whining until it gets here. And regarding those who think it is not the government's responsibility to help the area, we need to keep in mind that it is taxpayer money that pays for FEMA (Federal Emergency Management) - How can we say that the government is not charged with helping after an emergency, but still sink so much money (our money) into an organization named FEMA? It can't be both ways - either we are responsible for our own property, and we keep the money we earn, or we pay higher and higher taxes, but expect federal services in return.

I am tired of New Orleans getting all the spot light in this disaster. Take a look around Ms. Start at pasgagoula and work your way to the bay of st.louis. There is the real heart break!. There is nothing there!. My uncle who lives in Ocean Springs and he is my hero cause he will not cry about the lack of help. Everyone in Ms Are blessed to be Alive!. New Orleans, Help Ms.

I can relate to the vicums of Katrina. We have had 3 hurricans come through here in a matter of months. None however as sovier. My heart is with those who are still without power and without family members. Stick together and help one another. Its going to take awhile for things to get back to normal as it always does in these casses. But don't let it get you down.

My children lost their home with everything in it. their little boy is 5. The emotional toll is severe.
Uncertainty about the assistance for demolishing their home , preparing the lot to meet specifications for rebuilding prevents them from making plans for the property. Dealing with the house that had 10 ft.
of water with no information about the safety of rebuilding is impossible.

Michael Bush asks if the Clinton/Bush fund for
Katrina victims have helped anyone. My answer
is yes.

Note to Kenny B, I'm tired of New Orleans being in the spotlight too, I wish my city could return to some sense of normalcy. Eight months later, I yearn to be able to move about the city and enjoy it's charm,but alas,we are still rebuilding. No one in New Orleans slights what happened on the MS Gulf Coast or the Alabama Coast, we truly wish NO ONE had to go through this, It's a tragedy all around, the up side is that the MS & ALA Coasts are picking up the pieces,and they will soon be destinations once again, unfortunately for New Orleans, it will take a while longer. In closing, I'd like to thank everyone who decided to donate or contribute to the restoration of these areas, mere words cannot express our gratitude!

To the guy in Cinncinnati, Ohio - how would you like it if ALL the people who live in the areas that Katrina tore apart whould just move up there to your city. You seem to think we are stupid for staying here, do you have enough homes and jobs for all the HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS that you think should just "up and move"? It is not that easy any way you look at it to move because you are living in hurricane, tornado, fire or earthquake zones. Get real!! And I have not asked for any help except for what I am owed by the insurance company.

My heart goes out to all of you along the Gulf Coast. Even after seing all the pictures and video I have trouble absorbing just how much damage occurred. I was stationed in Biloxi in 1955 and 1959. Bay of St. Louis and Pascagoula were particular favorites of mine. In 1959,I and two friends, stopped to help two young ladies fix a flat. We were invited to dinner by the father of one or both girls. He was the head of Ingles Shipyard in Pascagoula (memory?). We have family in Slidel. We have had no trouble in sending aid to them.

I'm totally ashamed about the lack of response by our Federal leaders, irregardless of political affiliation!

You continue to be in our prayers.

I am grateful for those who volunteered their hard work and time to the people of the hurricane disaster zone. I also want to thank China, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, Bahrain, and all other countries who donated to the disaster zones (sorry if I left you out but you know who you all are). I'm originally from Harvey, LA. and it's sad that such a great and spiritual city, New Orleans, is gone, but I believe it will be rebuilt and with more spirit than ever. It's ashame that our country have all this money to give to other countries, yet don't want to give to their own tax paying citizens. I am happier where I live now and don't plan on returning to Louisiana until the state officials get their act together and moralize the city again. Once again, thank you Bush and Clinton, all volunteers, foreign donators, and anyone else who helped....thank you.

shine,{cool name by the way}....I don't think I would like it in Cinncinnati....belive i'll stay here too.....if we all move there they will be over run with us rednecks....they better be careful of what they ask for!!!

In April, on our way back from seeing our son in Fort Rucker, AL., we drove hwy 90 along the Miss. coast. The destruction is unbelievable,,,miles and miles of it,,,and the sad part is,,after 8 months,,the destruction is still there. people are living in trailers amongst debris from torn up buildings and homes. and WHY !!! C'mon,,,,,this is America,,NO EXCUSE FOR THIS HAPPENING,,,,let's not turn our backs on our Miss. friends and pretend all is well now. what can I do to help???

I have a teacher from south Lousisiana. She moved to North Louisiana after Her houses was hit from the hurricane. She no longer has a house to live in and she has been away from her husband for a while.

Mr. Conrad of Ohio, in regards to your comment that the destruction of Katrina is not the government's problem...The Corp of Engineers dug the MRGO ship channel that politely dumped at least 25 ft of water into my parish, and those levees that gave way...the gov't built those too. Your tone sounds as though me and 64,000 people from my parish deserved to drown and have our homes, family, neighbors, pets, culture and livelihoods ripped away from us. I have been in two tornados since Katrina here in TN, while I sat in the closet as the house shook all I could think was please don't let this mass destruction happen again. The next morning the first thing I did was donate $$ to help those in TN whose houses blew away that day. No matter where you are mother nature will eventually let loose her wrath on each and every one of us. How callous of you to decide that no one deserves help. I'd like to hear you make that statement if you go home today and find 4 ft of marsh mud in your kitchen and a water line in your attic.
In closing, I want to thank every person that has given your time, money, empathy, prayer and vote to help all of who lost so much in Katrina. Every little bit helps, reagrdless of what Mr. Conrad thinks.

I just read many of these comments for the first time, and I was sad to see that so many people are fighting one another. (Ie. LA vs MS) People with these attitudes are preventing recovery and healing for all Katrina victims. I lost everything I own in New Orleans, and I don't sit around complaining and waiting for others to help me. Are we still one United States of America? I wonder ?

You know, even in Meridian we can still see the effects of a powerhouse that blew through. But we will all stand firm and proud as fellow humans and we will recover even if we have to endure another pounding!

I would like to take this time to thank all the people across the country for there hard work and dedication in helping everyone on the Gulf Coast durning this trying time. I have never in my life seen such destruction. Please pray for the GulfCoast Coast.

TO ALL WHO LOST THERE HOMES AND FAMILY MEMBERS TO THE HURRACAINE I GIVE MY PRAYS TO YOU ALL. I HAVE FAMILY MEMEBERS THAT STAY IN MISSISSIPPI AND THEY WENT THROUGH THE SAME THING YALL IS GOING THROUGH. I HOPE THE BEST FOR YALL AND AS GOD TOLD ME TO TELL YALL IT WILL BE OK. HE WILL HELP FIX IT ALL AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU AND BUILD YALL HOMES BACK AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE. I WISH YALL THE BEST AND DON'T FORGET I AM PRAYING FOR YALL DEEPLY.

When I was a child, our home was destroyed by a tornado. Being a family of 5 of limited means, we too lived in tents on our property for 8 months while a new home was built. Our insurance partially covered our losses, but like everyone else, didn't make us whole again (in a material sense). While it was a disaster for my family, there was not one bit of assistance other than family and friends to help us recover from this. People who have suffered similar experiences from disasters are not suprised that people in the gulf area are still in tents and trailers. It is not the government's responsibility to make each individual whole again. It takes a long time to rebuild one, a dozen, or a thousand homes. The enormity of Katrina will take years to overcome. But the reality is that FEMA is there for short term, emergency aid - not to provide for months and years. Those of us who have survived and rebuilt for ourselves after equal disaster to our families suggest you waste no more energy looking for government assistance and get on with the task of moving forward, no matter how long or hard it is. No, the tornado that devastated my family's home did not wipe out an entire area of the nation like Katrina. But the bottom line to me and others like me is this: we lost exactly what you did: everything we had.

It has been a long 8 months since that terrible day when I tearfully watched with my mother and brother as the water kept coming into my parents home and praying that it would stop soon. My dad is legally blind and bedridden and I was holding up his head to keep him from going under the water, which thankfully stopped at 5 feet. By the grace of God we are all safe. My brother is working very hard to rebuild the home my parents had spent 50 years of their life in while he is also having to rebuild much of his own home as well. My son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren also lost everything they owned and are trying to rebuild. Four generations of my family have called the Mississippi Gulf Coast home. With the advent of another hurricane season fast approaching, we are all praying that the coast will be spared the wrath of another Katrina. Don't know that we could endure another one, emotionally or financially.

Just remember - God helps those who help themselves.
Don't keep waiting for someone to come in and do it all for you. Pride is something that will make you smile even when you have accomplished "one small thing."

Gary, we don't expect FEMA to provide "for years". We do expect, as US citizens and taxpayers, to be entitled to the minimum basic needs to live. Like a FEMA trailer. I know that in the towns of Bay St Louis and Waveland Mississippi, we are not sitting aroung waiting on handouts from anyone! We are working to take care of ourselves, rebuild our homes, and our towns.
I know that it was a very difficult time for you, as a child, to witness the destruction of your home and then live 8 months in a tent. My ten year old daughter is going through the same thing, except we are in a FEMA trailer. It is not my intent to belittle your experience, at all. But the scope of devastation here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast is incomprehensible.
First of all, in the town of Waveland, nearly 95% of the homes were completely wiped out or substantially damaged. Out of a population of approximately 6700, there are now only about 3000 people. Most of us are concentrating on rebuilding/repairing our homes. The waiting list for electricians, plumbers, etc. is long! About a thousand building permits have been issued in Waveland, but there are not enough materials and labor to go around. Hence, we do as much as we can on our own. We also have been helped enormously by volunteer groups. We would not make it without them!
In addition to losing our homes, we lost most of our businesses, as well. The fallout is that many people no longer have employment! No job, no income, no means to rebuild. Were it not for the SBA, it would be very difficult for me to afford to repair my home. It is one of the few still standing south of the tracks in Waveland. While our businesses are coming back, it is a slow process and we are still in need of gas stations and grocery stores!
Bottom line, Gary, you did not lose exactly what you did! We lost our homes, our business, our jobs. Some of us lost friends, family, neighbors and pets; either because they have moved away or they died in the storm.
Ditto to you Sharon L. We aren't sitting on our duffs waiting for someone to do it for us! Many of us who do have employment, spend our days at work and our evenings building/repairing our homes and businesses!

Sooner rather than later, I hope the area takes another direct hit. It's the only way to prevent further disruption, further development of infrastructure in an area prone to hurricanes. There are some places human beings do not belong. The Gulf is not all that pretty anyway, so why does everyone think they should have a beach front view? Rebuild inland and protect the natural beach areas as nature preserves and public parks where anyone can have access to the sand and surf for daytime or camping overnight, but leave the buildings off of it. It defies logic to think redevelopment on the same spot is the answer. It is utter arrogance for people to think they can beat nature. We are subject to it's whim, not masters of the Universe.

I have long been a proud resident of Mississippi. Serving in the US Marine Corps has carried me far from the Mississippi soil; however, my pride in this great state and its people remain. Mississippians can be counted on to work hard, complain little, and open their hearts and homes to anyone in need. I am proud of your diligence in reestablishing your lives across the Gulf Coast. God Bless Each One of You!

I spent eight of the best years of my life on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and cannot imagine the changes that this devastating storm brought. However, I know two things - one, it will come back better and more beautiful than ever! The people of the Gulf Coast are caring, generous, hardworking, and kind. They have every reason to be proud of their home state. Two, Dan in Brownsville doesn't know squat about that part of the state. If he did, he would know that it is a heck of a lot more attractive than Brownsville which has to be the armpit of the Universe! The Gulf Coast beaches were cleared and built by man, and they will be reclaimed and rebuilt by man - there are no "natural beach areas" with sand and surf. The beaches in Biloxi and Gulfport sit on the edge of a Gulf that mimics a giant bathtub. The Barrier Islands, such as Ship Island, prevent the wave action. Sand has to be trucked in. No surf - ergo no natural sand created by waves. Yes, there are natural marsh areas, but they do not offer the beach grasses and sand that allow for nesting of certain endangered birds. Those grasses were planted by men. Please, Dan, keep your uninformed opinions to yourself or learn the real story behind the Mississippi beaches. Of course, in Brownsville, you have no beaches that might erode, no mountains or hills that might slide, no rivers that might overflow, and nothing that warrants a view.

Dan from the bullseye known as Brownsville opines:

Sooner rather than later, I hope the area takes another direct hit. It's the only way to prevent further disruption, further development of infrastructure in an area prone to hurricanes. There are some places human beings do not belong. The Gulf is not all that pretty anyway, so why does everyone think they should have a beach front view? Rebuild inland and protect the natural beach areas as nature preserves and public parks where anyone can have access to the sand and surf for daytime or camping overnight, but leave the buildings off of it. It defies logic to think redevelopment on the same spot is the answer. It is utter arrogance for people to think they can beat nature. We are subject to it's whim, not masters of the Universe.

Get one thing straight. One mile inland wouldn't have
saved anyone. Good Lord, I've seen Brownsville as a
direct target on NHC forecasts way more than Waveland in 10+ years of observation. I live more
than a mile and a half from the beach and got water.
I don't have beachfront.

You HOPE that we get hit again? You HOPE? Really?
Wow. You wish an entire population of a region of
the US harm, even death, just to prove an ill-
conceived point?

In the words of someone famous - "Instant Karma's
gonna get you..."

Dan, when I look out at the Gulf, it's still beautiful.

My question is what was given to the folk's of South Fla when Andrew came through. When we went down to clean up after that Hurican there where plenty of people with out housing and the governement did not supply with anything like what they are having to give out now. What make this any different?

Why, don't you show, the behind the scenes, blight, that the poor of New Orleans and Gulf Port, have to deal with. Like your star spangled heros's with hard hats that are illegal aliens? Claiming that they are taking jobs, no American will take.
Those, relocated to Houston, and Dallas, would love to have those jobs, but where do they live, while this construction is underway? In the trailer house's parked 350 miles away, by FEMA? Let's show the whole story, let's talk about how dislocated "refugees" are being denied the opportunity to participate. And why, they are unable to participate.

thank you jesus , we praise your holy name and send you the honor and glory for the many blessings you have given us , and we pray to our heavenly father in your name , for forgiveness for all our sins and iniquites, and we ask father that you continue to bless our country with your grace , in jesus holy name we pray , thank you !

Dan from Brownsville TX says that he hopes the area
gets "another direct hit." I would like to ask him
how many people he would like to see die, or how
many lives he would like to see disrupted, or how
many bankruptcies he would like to see enacted.

I understand his point - we don't need beachfront
views. However, wishing further destruction by
a similar storm isn't really the way to do it.

I will say that much of the area is moving
back from the beach, even north of the interstate.
Diamondhead real estate is booming, as is Picayune's
and much of Pearl River County. I hope Dan
investigates this trends a bit more and sees that
many are indeed moving back away from the coast, and
that perhaps he would then see fit to remove the
curse he seems to want to place over us.

I would also be interested in hearing if Mr. Dan has
similar advice for those who live in Florida (4
hurricanes in 2004, at least 3 in 2005), Georgia,
the Carolinas and Virginia, or even his home state
of Texas. I'm guessing not.

Dan in Brownsville - I don't agree with your idea totally. If your plan was followed then it would have to be applied to ALL waterfront areas regardless of the body of water. Rivers are prone to flooding so bye-bye Brownsville, St. Louis, etc. Bye-bye Miami, San Diego, New York, etc.
To the others who think the people of the Gulf coast are all sitting on their duffs waiting for a handout, it's great to be all high & mighty when it isn't you. My daughter & her husband are working hard to rebuild their home in Slidell. They are several miles from the water but that didn't stop 3 1/2 ft of water from coming into their home and trees coming down from the wind smashing holes in the roof. Trying to get TRUSTWORTHY & RELIABLE contractors & subs is extremely difficult. My son-in-law finally has the family auto repair business up & running but can't get insurance until it is fenced. Can't get a fence because none of the fencing companies will return their calls. It is a vicious circle. The home owner's insurance & the flood insurance companies are at war as to what was damaged by falling water & what was damaged by rising water. Meanwhile they are stuck in the middle.

maybe Dan is one of those people that would like to see the beach front properties sold because he would like to cash in on some of them. Well Dan get in line these people have most likely been approached by every resort,resturant and casino in the business.I think everyone should leave them alone and let them rebuild the way they want too.How would you like for them to tell you go to mexico and live Dan.

My apologies to all the residents of BSL, Waveland, etc. for suggesting that others have suffered through disasters also. The attitude that comes through in your responses is that no matter what happened anywhere else, WE are suffering more than you did. Just for my part, this attitude is what is making a lot people have negative opinions about gulf coast assistance at this point. I have traveled through the gulf area since Katrina and it is indeed total devastation. But seems like a lot of responses to others stories and opinions are filled with such scathing sarcasm and bitterness. Please don't belittle others situations to make yourself the winner in the "disaster" competition. Loss is all relative to your own experience.

Thanks to all the people that are helping and praying for all of us that live in the areas that Katrina destroyed. To those that are mean sprited and hateful of nature, we really don't care what you think and what goes round comes round!

Dan,love. Coastal Mississippi is a beautiful place, in part because of it's people. The sun sparkles off the water and the weather is usually very pleasant, even in summer, because of the steady breeze and the plentiful rainfall that keeps things lush and green. It used to be known as the Emerald Coast and does have wonderful marshes and could be a great nature reserve. You are absolutely right. Visit Bucaneer State Park. I have friends who helped build the bridges and trails that take you through that environmentally diverse area. Who knows, 100 years from now, maybe your wishes will have come true. But your post felt like a pretty big slap in the face to the survivors who read it. I didn't reply because I was shocked and didn't know what to say. Have you been to the Bay? There is no way you could ever have said such a thing, if you knew these kind and resilient people. They will learn from this and are. But your comments probably felt like a kick in the gut. Is that really what you intended?

To Gary, Weatherford OK

I see how this can seem like a "disaster competition." Much of this is just venting, a lot of it is simply frustration - frustration at insurance companies who will not pay what they are legitimately supposed to pay, frustration with the lack of contractors, lack of building supplies, lack of coordinated efforts at rebuilding. Frustrating, too, are the comments from various parts of the country telling us we should move, just up and move, leaving behind loved ones, jobs, communities. The high handedness of many of the comments here - how we are taking the very dollars out of their pockets just to rebuild mansions, etc. - are just beyond the pale.

I thought we were one country. But it seems we're not.

So if our retorts seem filled with bile and bitterness, remember that what you drove through we are living in, and cut us some slack. People here are good, hardworking people, just stretched very very thin.

terry walker this not church...it's a blog...about the Mississippi gulf coast....besides don't say thank you to end a prayer...it should be AMEN

I know that it must be difficult for the rest of the nation to continually haer about our plight, believe me, most of us wish we could walk away from the devestation to our lives. However, we are a stong community...all of us. New orleans, the Parishes, all the way to the alabama line. Respect for us is what we want, not hand outs. We talk about this disaster because it effects us daily. We don't want sympathy, but love and kindness is welcome. Thank you all for your kind words, they heal our souls and spirits. We could spend lifetimes trying to thank the volunteers and people who have made donations to us. Without them we would be nothing.Please remember us as the strong, capable, hardworking people that we are. Thank you all for caring...(that means you too Andy!)

I continue to be amazed at the lack of understanding that some people have regarding the scope of destruction that Katrina wrought. In 2004, three storms hit Florida and damaged 27,000 homes. In 2005, one storm hit the Gulf Coast and caused levee breaches in New Orleans, leaving over 400,000 homes either non-existent or uninhabitable. 400,000!!! got it now? Someone I know made a comment to me as he seemed to wonder why the rebuilding in Katrinaville, as I call it, is taking so long. He said, "when...was hit by tornadoes, one builder showed up in the town and said he'd get it rebuilt in a couple of months! And he did it!" The town had lost a few houses and maybe a dozen or so buildings in town had damaged siding or roofs. I'd like to see the same builder take on 400,000 homes and make the same commitment. So for those of you who have suffered the loss of your home along with maybe a dozen or so more from tornadoes or fires, but still have your town, schools, businesses, movie theatre, etc, I am sorry for you. But you lack a critical ingredient of the Katrina experience: everyone and everything for hundreds of miles, 97,000 square miles, was either destroyed or left uninhabitable. And the citizens of these areas continue to thrive. In spite of their losses and suffering they work on the docks, in the oil fields, and at the refineries to bring precious goods to rest of us. They process sugar, coffee and salt.They fish and roll for oysters and crabs. But they do not live like the rest of us anymore. Whether on the Ms Gulf Coast or in New Orleans, normalcy is a third world life-style, even for those of high economic status. The only way to get away from the horror is to travel. The devastation blasts one in the face from every direction. It takes a tremendously strong person to look it in the eye and forge ahead with daily routines and the daily grind that comes with rebuiding.Thank goodness there are so many more understanding and empathic citizens in this country who continue to make a wonderful and appreciated difference in the Gulf Coast regions.

Here's what's telling....

For the topics in this "About the Towns" tab on this
website - all have multiple comments from those in
far flung regions opining on how we should just not
rebuild, I mean the Gulf's ugly anyway, I hope you guys
get hit again this year, maybe that'll learn ya, etc.etc.

All except one topic, which has only one comment.

The name of this topic? "How you can help."

Positively revelatory.

shoot Liz, "i'm tangled up in blue"

To Dan and all others who think they can write RUDE posts:
Well, Dan, you are not acting very Southern. I know your family raised you to be a better person than that. Please realize that the people in Waveland/BSL are intelligent, honest men and women who just want to live their lives and rebuild their community. There is NO NEED to make rude and condescending statements toward us. We are hard-working Americans, and we deserve better than that from fellow Americans.
We truly appreciate all the generous help that has poured in from across the nation. One day we will be there to help those who helped us. Hopefully, though, they will not have to go through such a disaster.

Irene? have ya ever been to Brownsville?....Dan may be a whole lot more southern than ya think{Mexico that is}....if ya don't speak Spanish....stay away from Brownsville!...garontee Dan can habla

Irene R. Mason, I like your attitude!.....the RUDE posts...they don't count...ignore those igornate poeple....they are not Mississippians!....{and i thought Texicans were our friends}....but they looked at me funny when i bought a PBR and a couple of pickled eggs....dangitt...can't help where i'm from....but i'm dammed proud of it!...ub2

First of all I would like to thank everyone from around the country for their time,effort and generosity on helping us along the ms gulf coast in the rebuilding process..May God bless each and everone of you..I am also very proud to be a Missippian..We will persevere..

I have just taken a tour of the bay St.Louis and Waveland area. The pictures you see on TV do not even begin to convey the scope of this disaster. The human suffering is immense. I am currently working on a Habitat for Humanity project in Jackson MS. We went to Bay St. Louis to look at some planned Habitat homes in Waveland. My wife and I met a woman who showed us around and gave us some of the history of the area. Her attitude was so positive and uplifting. She herself is living in a trailer while trying to rebuild her home. She is having problems finding qualified people to work on her project. All the while she is trying to sort out her own life she is also trying to help others by working for Habitat for Humanity. She makes me very proud to be an American. I will never forget what I saw today. These people and many others in all the affected states need our help.

If You haven't been here then you can't begin to know what we have been and are going thru. Thank God for all the volunteers ! Not all of us are sitting on our butts ..some of us work 40 hours or more a week plus try to rebuild our homes and some of us are divorced or widows ..making it the best we can. My town is gone..totally wiped out and i had water 6 inches from the peak of my house..you don't hear me complaining ..I will make it and I'm pround to be from Pearlington and I am STAYING.

To the gentleman who asked about the Bush-Clinton fund.Yes, we have seen a great deal of that money. I am a student of the University of So Mississippi in Long Beach...app 20 mn from Waveland & Bay St Louis.The fund in question gave about 2 mil to the schools rebuilding fund, also there has been a large amount promised to the city of Waveland in its efforts to get the sewerage and drainage systems back on track. Isn't it nice to see the efforts of bipartisanship politics...imagine what good could be done for the ENTIRE country if the politicians could all act as altrustic as these two gentlemen. Kudos to Clinton and Bush!

"altrustic"?....sh** ....gotta look for da dictionary now!....think it's holdin' up a corner of the sofa....keep it in laymens terms...or i get confused

Has anyone noticed that DAN has not responded - he probably realized how ignorant he sounded - Laurie, you asked him if he has been to the Bay? I ask him if he's been to Church lately? Wow - wishing we get hit again! Unbelievable! Watch out Dan - what goes around, comes around - I wouldn't wish something like this on my worst enemy - even you! I hope he hasn't been here and I hope he never comes! we don't want people like that here, we have so many volunteers who have come and actually bought property and are rebuilding gutted homes to live! If you come here once, you will fall in love with the place and the people - thousands have! Thanks to all those who are keeping us in their minds and their hearts and by the way Dan, I'm rebuilding 4 blocks from the beach and if I could, I would build a house right on the beach!!!
T.Ryan-BSL

Tell Em "T"!!!!

Hey T...You tell Dan how it is. Once you go to BSL/Waveland, the pull to return to help is amazing. If only Dan could see what the people are like, he might have a change of heart. To all of you in the area, we love you and have not forgotten you. Hang in there....see you in June, T..

actually, that is what i would wish....for my "worst enemy".....dangitt...."T"....Dan maaay be on da list now!!!

Andy - he is definitely on "da list" - you know what list that is! Peggy - can't wait to see you in June! Everything in the Bay is progressing, slowly but surely! Lots of debris has been removed and more businesses opening - still no grocery store!! Can you believe that - 9 mths and still no store. We do have a Lowe's opening up in Waveland in the next month or so - smart move on their part, right in time for the building boom, which really has not even begun yet - most still have little to no money from their insurance, etc....

LOL, "T"....