Despite multiple warnings that the levees couldn't withstand a hurricane of Katrina's magnitude; despite this administration's assurances that the federal government is capable of handling a crisis of this magnitude; despite the drum beating over the efficacy of Homeland Security; and despite Bush's assurances that things are under somehow under control down there, thousands of American citizens are without food and water, homeless, sick or dying in place, with no help in sight, Mark Gottdiener