,:5 ,! ,LEVEE ,BREAKS 
,KATR9A'S ,H>T ( ,D>KNESS 

#be 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,DAVID ,VAN ,DEUS5 

,TEXT 3 

 "9,IF IT KEEPS ON RA99'1 LEVEE'S GO9' TO BREAK4 

,IF IT KEEPS ON RA99'1 LEVEE'S GO9' TO BREAK4 

,& ! WAT] GONNA COME 9 & WE'LL HAVE NO PLACE TO /AY4"9 

-,KANSAS ,JOE ,MC,COY & ,MEMPHIS ,M9NIE 

,NEW ,ORLEANS1 ,L,A1 ,SEPTEMB] #be -,IT WAS ,FRIDAY1 ,SEPTEMB] #i?1 #c3,A,M4 ,I /OOD ON A BALCONY ON ,ORLEANS ,/REET TRY+ TO PIECE TOGE!R A /ORY ,I WAS SIX H\RS LATE CALL+ 94 ,I WAS HUNK]$ D[N 9 ! ONLY OCCUPI$ AP>TM5T ON ! 5TIRE BLOCK4 ,TO MY LEFT1 ?R\< ! APOCALYPTIC D>KNESS1 ,JOHNNY ,:ITE'S ,SPORTS ,B> WAS /ILL S]V+ DR9KS TO A FEW ( ! SCATT]$ FOLKS LEFT 9 ! ,QU>T]4 ,BESIDES ! OCCASIONAL MILIT>Y TRUCK1 ! ONLY S\ND CAME FROM A BATT]Y P[]$ BOOMBOX 9 ! B>4 ,CUTT+ ! SIL5CE WAS A ROCK & ROLL /ATION2 & !Y W]E PLAY+ GOOD ROCK & ROLL6 ,IT IS A TRAVE/Y ?AT IT TOOK A NATIONAL DISA/] = ! KEEP]S ( ! AIRWAVES TO GRANT US DEC5T MUSIC4 ,I /OOD & BLEW SMOKE TO ! D>K SKY4 ,! FEW LO/ &_/OR BRAVE S\LS LOOK+ UP TONI<T W\LD SEE ! BEAUTY ( ! />S1 P]HAPS = ! FIR/ TIME4 ,AS ,I PIT*$ MY BUTT TO ! /REET1 ,I HE>D ,KEI? & ,MICK COM+ ACROSS ! RADIO4 ,! DRUMS1 /RANGE MUMBL+1 !N LIKE A KNIFE1 0,PLEASE ALL[ ME TO 9TRODUCE MYSELF1 ,I'M A MAN ( WEAL? & TA/E60 ,I ?\<T AB\T ! TIME1 YE>S AGO1 :5 ,I LIV$ 9 ! ,FR5* ,QU>T]4 ,I ?\<T AB\T :AT /RANGE 5D ( ! WORLD VISIONS ,I HAD SE5 !SE LA/ FEW DAYS4 ,I ?\<T AB\T :AT ! FUTURE HELD = !SE BATT]$ /REETS & AB\T ALL ! PA9 & DEA? ?IS CITY HAD WITNESS$ 9 ! LA/ WEEK4 ,I LIT ANO!R CIG>ETTE1 & />$ 9TO ! NI<T4 0,PLEASE TO MEET Y\4 ,HOPE Y\ GUESS$ MY NAME60 

,NI<T ,PATROL ,) ,! ,V]MONT ,NATIONAL ,GU>D 

 "9,WELL ALL LA/ NI<T ,I SAT ON ! LEVEE & MOAN4 

,WELL ALL LA/ NI<T ,I SAT ON ! LEVEE & MOAN4 

,?9K9' 'B\T MY BABY & MY HAPPY HOME"9 4"9 

,I >RIV$ 9 ,JEFF]SON ,P>I%1 ,JU/ ACROSS ! ,MISSISSIPPI ,RIV] FROM ,NEW ,ORLEANS1 ON ! AFT]NOON ( ,TUESDAY1 ,SEPTEMB] #f?4 ,I DROVE D[N FROM ,V]MONT 9 AN OLD R$ PICK-UP4 ,9 ! B$ ,I KEPT A DOZ5 CANS ( S\P1 FIFTE5 GALLONS ( EXTRA GAS1 & T5 GALLONS ( WAT]4 ,FROM ! RE> VIEW MIRROR HUNG A PRESS PASS ( DUBI\S VALUE4 ,9 ! GLOVE BOX ,I KEPT A LOAD$ PI/OL4 ,PRIOR TO >RIV+1 ,I >RANG$ TO BE 0EMB$D$0 ) ! #ac ,V]MONT ,NATIONAL ,GU>D TROOPS OP]AT+ 9 ! >EA4 ,)9 M9UTES ( PULL+ UP TO ,HEAD ,QU>T]S1 AN OLD MIDDLE S*OOL1 ,I BO>D$ A TRUCK ) T5 SOLD]S FROM ! #a/ ( ! #h#f? ,FIELD ,>TILL]Y4 ,IT WAS #f3 ,P,M1 /ILL LI<T4 ,?IS WAS TO BE !IR FIR/ NI<T PATROL4 

,AS WE LEFT ! GATES ! SOLD]S LOAD$ !IR ,M-#a#fS4 ,!Y HAD NO MORE IDEA ( :AT TO EXPECT ?AN ,I4 ,ALL WE KNEW W]E ! IMAGES ( *AOS ?AT FLA%$ UPON ! NETWORK NEWS SEV]AL DAYS BE=E4 

,WE ROLL$ ?R\< ! /REETS ( ,JEFF]SON ,P>I%4 ,KATR9A'S DEVA/AT+ P[] WAS EVID5T4 ,TELEPHONE POLES W]E SNAPP$ LIKE TOO?PICKS4 ,RO(S WE RIPP$ FROM !IR BEAMS4 ,ELECTRICITY1 ( C\RSE1 WAS /ILL \T4 ,ONE GAS /ATION WAS SIMPLY FLATT5$4 ,I HAD NEV] SE5 ANY?+ LIKE IT4 ,A SOLDI] TURN$ T[>DS ME & SAID1 0,BETT] ?AN WE SE5 9 ,BA<DAD40 

,WE REA*$ ! SECTOR ASSIGN$ TO ! UNIT4 ,HOLMS ,AV5UE4 ,! TRUCK DROVE ?R\< ! >EA TO GET A FEEL = IT4 ,ONE H\SE HAD ! 5TIRE SECOND FLOOR WALL TORN FROM ITS FRAM+4 ,I C\LD SEE 9TO :AT WAS ONCE A P]SON'S B$ROOM4 ,IT LOOK$ LIKE A GIANT1 PO/MOD]N DOLLH\SE1 MADE TO APPE> 9 A W> ZONE4 ,A MALL SAT DES]T$4 ,A L>GE SECTION ( IT WAS BURNT D[N4 ,NE> ! FIRE DAMAGE WAS AN AB&ON$ POLICE /ATION4 ,LOCAL COPS ALLEGE ?AT !Y W]E %OT AT :5 !Y EVACUAT$4 

,WE SOON DISM\NT$ & BEGAN A FOOT PATROL4 ,AS WE WALK$ ,S]GEANT ,CRAMDON1 ! SQUAD LEAD]1 REM>K$ H[ /RANGE ?IS FELT4 ,ALL ! OP5 W9D[S1 ALL ! ALLEYWAYS2 ?IS W\LD BE A V]Y DANG]\S SITUATION BACK 9 ,BA<DAD4 0,EV]Y ONE ( US WAS OV] .<= ELEV5 MON?S.>10 SAID ,CRAMDON4 ,MAYBE SUBCONSCI\SLY1 MAYBE ?R\< 9T5T1 ! GR\P FELL 9TO MILIT>Y =MATION4 

,AS NI<T DREW NE> ! GU>DSM5 CONV]G$ >\ND ! TRUCK4 ,! /REETS W]E DES]T$4 ,MO/ HE$$ ! DUSK TILL DAWN CURFEW4 ,/&+ >\ND ) LITTLE TO DO1 WE TALK$ TO PASS ! TIME4 ,I ASK$ :AT !Y ?\<T AB\T ?IS ASSIGNM5T4 ,S]GEANT ,CRAMDON ANSW]$1 0.<,COMP>$ ) ! ,REGUL> ,>MY.> WE'RE MORE PUBLIC FRI5DLY40 ,?IS WAS A TELL+ /ATEM5T AS IT WAS RUMOR$ ?AT T5S ( ?\S&S ( ,REGUL> ,>MY TROOPS W]E HEAD+ = ! ,NEW ,ORLEANS >EA4 ,AS IT TURN$ \T ! #h#bND ,AIR ,BORNE WAS PUT 9 *>GE ( MA9TA9+ ORD] 9 ! ,FR5* ,QU>T]4 

,S]GEANT ,SCOTT1 :O 9 ! CIVILIAN WORLD WORKS AS A ,BURL+TON AUTO ME*ANIC1 /AT$1 0,!SE GUYS .<SOME ,REGUL> ,>MY.> DON'T UND]/&4 ,Y\ DON'T WANT TO PISS (F ! PEOPLE :O LIVE 9 Y\R BACKY>D40 

,! CONV]SATION QUICKLY & 9EVITABLY TURN$ TO !IR EXP]I5CES 9 ,IRAQ4 ,OV]SEES !Y W]E ASSIGN$ TO PROTECT MILIT>Y CONVOYS PASS+ ?R\< ! ,BA<DAD >EA4 ,?IS IS ONE ( ! MO/ DANG]\S ASSIGNM5TS 9 ! OCCUPI$ REGION4 

0,ONE GUY .<AN ,IRAQI.> GOT %OT AT ! NOR? GATE !RE1 & TWO DAYS LAT] WE GOT MORT>$10 SAID A SOLDI] 9 HIS LATE ?IRTIES40 

,S]GEANT ,CRAMDON ADD$1 0,Y\ JU/ WANT TO KEEP ! PEACE 9 ! COMMUNITY4 ,LET !M KN[ Y\R !RE1 BUT LET !M KN[ Y\'RE NOT !RE444 ,:5 WE W]E OV] 9 ,IRAQ WE W]E NEV] PROACTIVE1 WE W]E ALWAYS REACTIVE10 SAID ,CRAMDON4 ,IF \R ,PRESID5T OP]AT$ ACCORD+ TO ?IS PR9CIPLE1 WE W\LD NOT BE 9 ,IRAQ TODAY4 

,MANY ,GU>DSM5 RECALL$ ?AT 9 ,IRAQ !Y W]E COMPELL$ TO FIRE !IR WEAPONS ON A NE> DAILY BASIS4 ,ONE SOLDI]1 HELMET PU%$ =W>D1 ALMO/ SLEEP+1 SAID HE ONLY FIR$ HIS GUN ONCE 9 ELEV5 MON?S4 ,! O!RS LOOK$ AT HIM1 SOME ) DISBELIEF4 ,/ILL LEAN+ BACK1 H>DLY BO!R+ TO OP5 HIS EYES HE MUS$1 0,WE ?REW ROCKS :5 O!R PEOPLE W]E %OOT+ BULLETS40 

0,ROCKS DON'T DO TO GOOD :5 !Y'RE %OOT+ BULLETS AT Y\10 C\NT]$ ,S]GEANT ,CRAMDON4 ,I ?\<T ( ! ,PALE/9IAN Y\? :O ?R[ /ONES AS ! ,ISRAELI ,>MY4 ,S]GEANT ,CRAMDON WAS RI<T2 !IR FATE IS (T5 DEA?4 

,AS ! NI<T WORE ON1 !RE WAS LITTLE TO DO BUT MA9TA9 VIGILANCE1 SMOKE CIG>ETTES1 & TALK4 ,AT ONE PO9T TWO LOCAL COPS FROM ! %]IFF'S DEP>TM5T PULL$ UP4 ,9 ! D>KNESS !Y DID NOT NOTICE ?AT A MEMB] ( ! PRESS WAS PRES5T4 ,I HE>D !M TELL ! ,GU>DSM5 0NO ONE ON ?IS /REET IS 9NOC5T40 ,!Y W5T ON TO 5C\RAGE ! ,GU>D TO %OOT PEOPLE1 & 9=M$ !M ?AT !Y W\LD COV] UP SU* EV5TS4 ,AS !Y PULL$ AWAY1 !Y AIM$ !IR ,P,A SY/EM AT >EA AP>TM5TS1 BL>+ ! S\NDS ( A WOMAN SCREAM+4 ,! ,V]MONT ,GU>DSM5 HAD NO 9T]E/ 9 FOLL[+ !IR LEAD4 

,! NI<T EV5TUALLY GREW 9TO MORN+4 ,AS ! SIX O'CLOCK H\R AGA9 APPROA*$1 WE HEAD$ BACK T[>DS ! BASE4 ,I ASK$ :5 IS ! SOONE/ ! UNIT CAN BE ORD]$ BACK TO ,IRAQ8 0,FEBRU>Y10 CAME ! REPLY4 ,SOMEONE QUE/ION$1 0,DOES ?IS DEPLOYM5T EXT5D ?AT80 ,S]GEANT ,CRAMDON ANSW]$1 0,NO40 

,A SOLDI] ANN\NC$1 0,FUCK ?AT4 ,I'M NOT GO+ BACK40 ,ANO!R REJO9$1 0,Y\'LL HAVE TO IF !Y CALL Y\ UP40 ,IT WAS LEFT AT ?AT4 ,I 9QUIR$1 0,H[ LONG WILL ! W> LA/8 ,H[ LONG DO Y\ ?9K IT WILL GO ON =80 ,SOMEONE GRUMBL$ 0,=EV]40 ,NO ONE DISAGRE$4 

,AS WE PULL$ 9TO ! ,H,Q1 ! (FIC] GAVE ! ORD] TO UNLOAD !IR WEAPONS4 0,ALL ,WEAPONS >E CLE>$40 ,I ASK$ H[ LONG !Y W\LD BE DEPLOY$ 9 ,L\ISIANA8 ,A SOLDI] REPLI$1 0,NO ,IDEA4 ,UNTIL !Y TELL US TO GO HOME40 

,FOOD1 ,WAT]1 & ,MURD] 

 "9 
,N[ LOOK H]E MAMA :AT AM ,I TO DO8 

,N[ LOOK H]E MAMA :AT AM ,I1 ,I TO DO8 

,I A9'T GOT NOBODY TO TELL MY TR\BLES TO4"9 "9 

,TWO H\RS AFT] WE RETURN$1 ,I JO9$ A DIFF]5T SQUAD HEAD+ \T TO DI/RIBUTE FOOD & WAT]4 ,! FIR/ DE/9ATION WAS A H\S+ PROJECT 9 ,T>RYT[N4 ,! AP>TM5T BUILD+S W]E TWO /ORY /RUCTURES BUILT 9 ! #a#i#gS4 ,! NEI<BORHOOD WAS TYPICALLY POPULAT$ BY SEV]AL HUNDR$ L[ 9COME ,AFRICAN-,AM]ICANS4 ,:5 ! ,GU>D >RIV$ ) PROVISIONS1 IT APPE>$ ?AT ONLY A FEW DOZ5 REMA9$4 ,! /REETS W]E LITT]$ ) DEBRIS4 ,MANY BUILD+S %[$ SIGNS ( ,KATR9A'S DEVA/AT+ W9DS4 ,AT ! FLOOD'S HEI<T1 WAT]S FL[$ WAI/ DEEP ?R\< ?IS NEI<BORHOOD4 

,AS ! ,GU>D DROVE SL[LY ?R\< ! /REETS PASS+ \T FOOD & WAT]1 ,I FOLL[$1 9T]VIEW+ RESID5TS4 ,I APPROA*$ A GR\P ( F\R ADULTS1 ?REE WOM5 & ONE MAN :O ALL APPE>$ TO BE 9 !IR LATE ?IRTIES-E>LY =TIES4 ,?IS GR\P WAS /&+ >\ND A C> LOAD$ ) BELONG+S4 ,!Y IMM$IATELY EXPRESS$ !IR DESIRE TO LEAVE = ,TEXAS1 BUT CONFESS$ !Y HAD NO GAS4 

,A DI/RAU<T WOMAN1 MO!R ( ?REE1 TOLD ME 0,I'M JU/ TRY+ TO LOOK AFT] MY *ILDR5444 ,WE GOT NO GAS1 WE GOT .<SOME.> WAT] 9 JUGS444 ,WE'RE TRY+ TO KEEP .<\R HOME.> CLEAN ! BE/ WAY WE CAN1 BUT IT /ILL HAS ! :OLE FIL? & SMELL 9 IT4 ,! DAMAGE IS REAL BAD444 ,I'M TRY+ TO GET \T ( H]E4 ,I'M TRY+ TO GET TO ,TEXAS4 ,I DON'T C>E :]E ,I GO AS LONG AS ,I GET ! FUCK UP \T ( H]E40 

,I ASK$ H[ %E ASSESS$ ! LOCAL & F$]AL GOV]NM5T'S RESPONSE TO ! CRISIS4 ,H] EYES BECAME %>P4 0,!Y >E NOT H&L+ IT RI<T4 ,!Y'RE NOT DO+ :AT !Y'RE SUPPOS$ TO DO4 ,IF !Y W]E TO DO :AT !Y W]E SUPPOS$ TO DO1 WE W\LD BE \T ( H]E RI<T AB\T N[40 

,ADDRESS+ LOCAL (FICIALS %E *>G$1 0,PEOPLE CAME H]E & DREW GUNS ON US444 ,! POLICE444 ,!Y W]E AB\T TO BEAT UP MY .<TWELVE YE> OLD.> SON ON HIS BIR?DAY BECAUSE HE TOLD !M NOT TO SE>* HIS BAG444 ,!Y CAME \T FROM NO:]E1 JU/ CREPT UP ON US444 ,WE DIDN'T KN[ :AT WAS GO+ ON4 ,!Y DRAW GUNS ON US1 TELL+ US TO RAISE \R H&S UP1 Y\ KN[ -& EV]Y?+4 ,MY LITTLE NIECE WAS RI<T !RE1 %E HAD H] BABY & !Y /ILL WAS DRAW+ GUNS40 

,! WOMAN CLAIM$ ?AT POLICE %OT & KILL$ LOCAL RESID5TS )\T JU/ CAUSE4 0,PEOPLE ?AT'S DE> TO US DONE GOT %OT4 ,PEOPLE WE KN[ GOT KILL$4 ,!Y .<! POLICE.> GOT ! P]MISSION TO %OOT !M ON SI<T40 

,A /RONG LOOK+ MAN 9 HIS =TIES /EPP$ =W>D & SAID1 0,!Y DRAW GUNS ON ALL ( US4 ,EV]Y LA/ ONE ( MY KIDS1 MY WIFE1 & MY NEPHEW1 & EV]Y?+40 

,! MAN DISCUSS$ ! PLI<T ( ?OSE :O W]E =C$ TO LOOT FOOD :5 GOV]NM5T AID FAIL$ TO >RIVE1 0,WE GOT A LOT ( PEOPLE :O GO GET FOOD = !IR .<FAMILY.>4 ,!Y .<! POLICE.> KILL$ !M1 S9CE ! /ORM1 9 ?IS NEI<BORHOOD1 ON ,MANHATTAN .<,/REET.> ACROSS ! RIV] & EV]Y?+4 ,ALL D[N H]E .<,! POLICE.> HAVE BE5 %OOT+ ON ! KIDS4 ,!Y >5'T SAY+ FREEZE OR NO?+4 ,!Y %OOT+ Y\ 9 ! HEAD & ?AT'S BAD40 

,ANO!R RESID5T1 A WOMAN 9 H] LATE #cS1 ATTRIBUT$ ! ALLEG$ 9/ANCES ( POLICE KILL+S TO RACISM4 0,WE GOT A LOT ( RACI/ .<,:ITE.> COPS ?AT >E TAK+ ADVANTAGE ( ?IS FACT ?AT IT'S SUPPOS$ TO BE M>%AL LAW1 & !Y'RE REALLY TAK+ ADVANTAGE ( IT40 

,I KEPT PACE MOV+ BEH9D ! ,GU>D4 ,?R\<\T ! DAY WE W5T TO MANY NEI<BORHOODS4 ,EV]Y:]E PEOPLE EXPRESS$ ANG] AT ! GOV]NM5T4 ,/ILL1 ?IS ANG] DID NOT APPE> TO APPLY TO ?OSE ,V]MONT ,GU>D TROOPS :O GAVE !M FOOD & WAT]4 ,9 MANY COMMUNITIES ?IS WAS ! FIR/ GOV]NM5T ASSI/ANCE S9CE ! /ORM HIT4 ,?R\<\T ! DAY1 ! TWELVE ,GU>DSM5 ,I TRAVEL$ ) DI/RIBUT$ AN E/IMAT$ #i MEALS TO ! PEOPLE ( ,JEFF]SON ,P>I%4 

,KATR9A'S ,HE>T ( ,D>KNESS3 ,9TO ,NEW ,ORLEANS 

 "9 
,I WORK$ ON ! LEVEE MAMA BO? NI<T & DAY 

,I WORK$ ON ! LEVEE MAMA BO? NI<T & DAY 

,I A9'T GOT NOBODY TO KEEP ! WAT] AWAY4"9 "9 

,! NEXT MORN+ ,I HEAD$ \T1 LEAV+ ! ,GU>D BEH9D4 ,N[ >M$ ) A 0,NATIONAL ,GU>D ,M$IA ,AFFAIRS0 PRESS PASS1 ,I DECID$ TO MAKE AN ATTEMPT ON ,NEW ,ORLEANS ITSELF4 ,! CITY HAD BE5 BLOCKAD$ = SOME DAYS BY ! MILIT>Y4 ,! 5TRANCE TO ! ,MISSISSIPPI ,BRIDGE WAS MANN$ BY ! ,>MY4 ,WORD HAD IT ?AT ONLY MILIT>Y1 EM]G5CY1 & AU?ORIZ$ UTILITY VEHICLES W]E BE+ ALL[$ 94 ,I APPROA*$4 ,PULL+ UP TO ! *ECKPO9T ,I FLA%$ MY 0,NATIONAL ,GU>D0 PASS4 ,TO MY A/ONI%M5T ,I WAS WAV$ ?R\<4 

,BY #i3,A,M ,I F\ND AN OP5 B> ON ! CORN] ( ,B\RBON & ,ORLEANS -,JOHNNY ,:ITE'S4 ,?IS TAV]N1 ONE ( TWO OP5 9 ! ,FR5* ,QU>T]1 WAS S]V+ AS A K9D ( OASIS = MANY ( ! #b-#c RESID5TS REMA9+ 9 ! >EA4 ,9 ADDITION TO :ISKEY1 SCOT*1 & G91 !Y MA9TA9$ /OCKPILES ( FREE FOOD & DR9K+ WAT]4 ,I ORD]$ A BE]4 

,I ASK$ ! B>T5D]1 ,JOE ,BELLAMY1 #b#d1 :AT ! SITUATION WAS4 ,HE ANSW]$1 0,WE >E ! COMMUNITY C5T]4 ,IT />T$ \T AS JU/ A B> & !N PEOPLE />T$ BR++ FOOD H]E4 ,PEOPLE />T$ BR++ CLO!S & WAT]4 ,SUDD5LY1 IT BECAME A S\P KIT*5 & A HOMELESS %ELT]40 ,BELLAMY1 A =M] P>A-RESCU] 9 ! ,AIR ,=CE & SELF-DESCRIB$ SOCIALI/1 CONT9U$1 0,IT DOESN'T MATT] IF Y\'RE GAY1 /RAI<T1 NO MATT] RACE1 RELIGION1 NO MATT] :AT Y\R P]SONAL BELIEFS >E1 Y\ COME 9 & NE$ SOME FOOD- Y\'RE GETT+ IT4 ,Y\ NE$ SOME WAT]- Y\'RE GETT+ IT40 

,AFT] TWO BE]S & A %OT ( :ISKEY ,I PREP>$ TO PU% ON4 ,I WANT$ TO TAKE A LOOK AT ! DEVA/AT$ ,N9? ,W>D :ILE IT WAS /ILL E>LY4 ,BE=E ,KATR9A ?IS WAS ONE ( ! POORE/ & MO/ NEGLECT$ SECTIONS ( ! CITY4 ,:5 ! LEVEES RUPTUR$1 ! >EA WAS SUBM]G$ UND] MANY FEET ( WAT]4 ,! ,N9? ,W>D WAS ALSO ! LOCATION ( MU* ALLEG$ %OOT+S4 ,?\S&S ( ,SUP]DOME REFUGEES CAME FROM ?IS NEI<BORHOOD4 

,I ASK$ A B> PATRON1 ,JAMES ,LA ,LON1 A #fb YE> OLD >TI/1 = DIRECTIONS TO ! ,W>D4 ,HE TOLD ME TO HEAD ?REE MILES PA/ ,ESPLANADE -AWAY FROM ! ,QU>T]4 0,Y\ CAN'T MISS IT40 ,9 ADDITION TO DIRECTIONS ,I ALSO WAS GIV5 A W>N+ TO BE C>EFUL4 ,HE CLAIM$ TO HAVE BE5 %OT AT A DOZ5 TIMES :ILE DRIV+ ?R\< ?REE DAYS BE=E4 

,I DID NOT SET \T ALONE4 ,ACCOMPANY+ ME WAS ,RIDE ,HAMILTON1 #b#i1 A LOCAL VOLUNTE] FIR/ AID PROVID] ( ,*EY5NE DESC5T4 ,I MET HIM LESS ?AN AN H\R BE=E4 ,HE EXPRESS$ 9T]E/ 9 SEE+ ! ,N9?1 & ,I HAD AN 9T]E/ 9 SOMEONE RID+ %OTGUN4 

0,DO Y\ KN[ H[ TO H&LE ONE ( !SE10 ,I ASK$1 H&+ HIM A LOAD$ PI/OL4 ,HE SAID 0YES0 & PROCE$$ TO PUT A R\ND 9 ! *AMB] -JU/ 9 CASE4 ,RIDE1 SIX FEET TALL ) LONG BLACK HAIR1 WORE A BLUE 0,SI\X ,CITY0 FIRE DEP>TM5T %IRT HE B\<T 9 A ?RIFT /ORE4 ,HE F\ND ?AT ! UNI=M HELP$ AVOID HASSLES ) ! LOCAL POLICE4 ,WE HEAD$ NOR?4 

,AS WE DROVE AWAY FROM ,JOHNNY ,:ITE'S IT BECAME E]ILY APP>5T ?AT WE W]E ! ONLY VEHICLE ON ! /REETS4 ,9 ?IS SEA ( DE/RUCTION TRAFFIC LAWS NO LONG] APPLI$4 ,WE TOOK A ONE-WAY /REET ! WRONG WAY = A MILE PA/ ,ESPLANADE4 

,AS WE DREW CLOS] TO ! W>D1 WE BEGAN TO SEE L>GE 0X0S SPRAY PA9T$ ON ! SIDES ( EV]Y H\SE4 ,9 EA* QUADRANT ( ! ,X W]E WRITT5 LETT]S & NUMB]S4 ,9 ! TOP IT READ 0#i-#f40 ,TO ! LEFT1 0,T,X-#a40 ,TO ! RI<T1 0,N,E40 ,AT ! BOTTOM1 0#a40 ,WE CORRECTLY GUESS$ .<AS WAS CONFIRM$ LAT].> ?AT !SE SYMBOLS W]E ! RECORD ( A SE>* CONDUCT$ BY ! MILIT>Y OR O!R GOV]NM5T AG5CY4 ,! TOP OBVI\SLY REPRES5T$ ! DATE ( ! SE>*4 ,! LEFT1 ! UNIT :O CONDUCT$ IT4 ,! RI<T WAS A CODE = ! TYPE ( CONTAM9ATION F\ND )94 ,! BOTTOM NUMB] TOLD ! GRIM TALE ( H[ MANY BODIES W]E F\ND4 ,AGA91 !SE W]E ON EV]Y H\SE4 

,A MILE PA/ ,ESPLANADE WE SAW ! FIR/ O!R VEHICLES4 ,TWO MILIT>Y TRUCKS ROLL$ PA/4 ,9 ! BACK WE C\LD SEE ! SULL5 FACES ( HAGG>D EVACUEES4 ,NOBODY BO!R$ TO WAVE4 ,WE CONT9U$4 

,! DEEP] 9TO ! NEI<BORHOOD WE GOT1 ! MORE DEBRIS LITT]$ ! DES]T$ /REETS4 0,FUCK ,BU%4 ,!M ,BIT*ES ,FLOOD ,US10 WAS WRITT5 9 BLACK SPRAY PA9T ACROSS A BRICK WALL4 

,HEAD+ UP ,RAMP>T ,/REET WE PASS$ A TIRE G>AGE4 ,A WIRY ,BLACK MAN SAT \T FRONT4 ,! SIGN SAID 0OP540 ,?IS TIRE %OP REPRES5T$ ! LA/ \TPO/ ( COMM]CE 9 ,NEW ,ORLEANS4 

,SOON WE APPROA*$ A SMALL BRIDGE CROSS+ A CANAL DEEP 9TO ! ,N9? ,W>D4 ,A GATE SAT ACROSS \R PA?4 ,F\R ,NATIONAL ,GU>D TROOPS /OOD WAT* ) ,M-#a#fS4 ,WE APPROA*$4 ,I GOT \T & PRES5T$ MY MAGIC PRESS PASS4 ,!Y OP5$ ! GATE & LET US 94 ,IMM$IATELY ! FLOOD+ BEGAN4 

,! ROAD WE DROVE ON1 ,NOR? ,RAMP>T WAS SOMETIMES DRY1 SOMETIMES SIX 9*ES UND]WAT]4 ,! SIDE /REETS TO \R LEFT W]E UND] TOO MU* WAT] TO TRAV]SE4 ,! WAT] WAS BLACK & SMELL$ LIKE ROTT+ MEAT4 

,ON ! CORN] ( ,/4 ,CLAIR & ,DESLONDE ! WAT] DEEP5$4 ,! WRECKAGE FROM ! FLOOD & W9DS WAS IMM5SE4 ,WALLS & RO(S W]E SEV]$ FROM H\SES4 ,! TOPS ( AB&ON$ TRUCKS W]E CAK$ ) MUD4 

,WE DROVE A HALF-MILE FUR!R & /ILL WE SAW NO SIGNS ( ! LIV+4 ,! TI<TLY PACK$ H\SES W]E LEFT ALONE4 ,H]E1 A NUMB] ( HOMES W]E YET TO HAVE AN ',X' TO KEEP !M COMPANY4 ,! SC5E MADE ME ?9K ( SOME K9D ( EVIL ,V5ICE ?AT HAD BE5 BOMB$ & LEFT = DEAD4 

,! FLOOD+ WORS5$4 ,I SAW A BOAT ?AT HAD BE5 HEAV$ ATOP ( A F\R-FOOT F5CE4 ,TREES W]E UP-ROOT$ & /REWN ACROSS ! ROAD4 

,BREAK+ ! /RANGE SIL5CE TWO EMPTY MILIT>Y TRUCKS PASS$ HEAD+ DEEP] 9TO ! ,W>D4 ,DID !Y EXPECT TO F9D SURVIVORS8 

,D[N A SIDE /REET1 /ILL UND]WAT]1 ,I SAW EMPTY S*OOL BUSSES4 ,I ASSUM$ !Y NEV] BR\<T PEOPLE \T4 

,WE TURN$ RI<T D[N ,GORDON ,/REET4 ,WE HAD TO DRIVE C>EFULLY NOT TO BE 5SN>$ BY FALL5 P[] L9ES4 ,! LETT]S 0,D,E,A-,O,K0 W]E PA9T$ ON A CEM5T WALL4 ,>R[S PO9T$ 9 BO? DIRECTIONS4 ,A FEW BLOCKS AWAY WE MADE \T FIVE MILIT>Y P]SONNEL ON A FRONT POR*4 ,!Y W]E BATT]+ D[N A DOOR4 ,WE DROVE ?R\< ! BLACK PUTRID WAT]S 9 !IR DIRECTION4 

,:5 WE REA*$ !M ,I ASK$1 0HAVE Y\ BE5 F9D+ ANYONE80 

,A SOLDI] REPLI$1 0,NO4 ,JU/ DEAD BODIES40 

0,>E Y\ GO+ TO />T CLE>+ \T ! DEAD BODIES80 

,! SOLDI] ANSW]$1 0,NO40 

,HE GAVE ME A COLD LOOK4 ,! CONV]SATION WAS OV]4 

,9 SIL5CE WE HEAD$ BACK UP TO ,RAMP>T1 !N S\? \T ( ! ,W>D4 ,!RE WAS LITTLE D\BT 9 E!R ( \R M9DS ?AT ?\S&S W]E DEAD4 

,! ,PEOPLE ,VS4 ,KATR9A 

 "9,OH CRY9' WON'T HELP Y\1 PRAY9' WON'T DO NO GOOD4 

,OH CRY9' WON'T HELP Y\1 PRAY9' WON'T DO NO GOOD4 

,:5EV] ! LEVEE BREAKS MAMA1 Y\ GOT TO LOSE4"9 "9 

,WE GOT BACK TO ! ,QU>T] & TURN$ LEFT D[N ,ESPLANADE4 ,TAK+ A RI<T ON ,DECATUR ,I SAW A MAKE%IFT SIGN READ+ 0,REBUILD ,! ,FR5* ,QU>T] ,H,Q40 ,I FIR/ HE>D ( ! ORGANIZATION E>LI] 9 ! DAY4 ,?IS GR\P1 AS ) A NUMB] ( O!R LIKE ORGANIZATIONS1 WAS COMPOS$ ( LOCAL RESID5TS :O SPONTANE\SLY CAME TOGE!R AFT] ! HURRICANE4 

,H,Q WAS PREVI\SLY A B> KN[N AS 0,OSWALD'S40 ,AFT] ,KATR9A ! 5TIRE #i SQU>E FOOT BUILD+ WAS COMM&E]$ BY LOCAL RESID5TS = USE AS A /ORAGE DEPOT4 ,9SIDE T5S ( ?\S&S ( DOLL>S' WOR? ( FOOD1 WAT]1 & TOOLS W]E EVID5T4 ,! FACILITY WAS ALSO EQUIPP$ ) A GAS G5]ATOR1 & TWO FULLY /OCK$ B>S4 ,I WAS TOLD BOOZE WAS US$ TO BRIBE POLICE 9TO NOT MESS+ ) !M4 ,?IS DEPOT1 AS WELL AS O!RS ,I VISIT$1 WAS /OCK$ ) DONAT$ & 0LOOT$0 GOODS4 ,MORE REC5TLY1 !IR SUPPLIES W]E BOL/]$ BY MILIT>Y RATIONS4 

,/&+ 9 ! 9N] C\RTY>D W]E A HALF A DOZ5 LOCALS4 ,ONE ( !M 9TRODUC$ HIMSELF AS 0,/EVE40 ,/EVE1 :O WORK$ 9 CON/RUCTION1 EXPLA9$ ?AT ,REBUILD ! ,FR5* ,QU>T] 7,R,F,Q7 NUMB]$ =TY VOLUNTE]S4 ,!IR EXPLOITS 9CLUD$ CLE>+ RUBBI% & D[N$ TREES4 ,ONE ( !IR FIR/ ACTS WAS TO MAKE ,ESPLANADE1 A MAJOR /REET M>K+ ! BORD] ( ! NEI<BORHOOD1 PASSABLE BY VEHICLE4 ,R,F,Q W5T ! EXTRA /EP ( /5CIL+ :ITE 0,R,F,Q ,VOLUNTE]0 T-%IRTS1 PR9T+ PR(ESSIONAL LOOK+ ,I,D BADGES1 & WRIT+ & PRODUC+ A MISSION /ATEM5T4 

,AFT] ! CRISIS BEGAN1 !IR FIR/ PRIORITY WAS TO HELP DI/RIBUTE GUNS & AMMUNITION TO >EA RESID5TS TO USE 9 SELF-DEF5SE4 ,/EVE TOLD ME ( ONE LOCAL :O %OT A MAN BREAK+ ?R\< HIS FRONT DOOR4 ,! %OT DID NOT KILL HIM4 ,! %OOT] RAN \TSIDE1 & LESS ?AN A BLOCK AWAY F\ND TWO ,NEW ,ORLEANS POLICE (FIC]S4 ,HE TOLD !M :AT HAPP5$1 & ASK$ = !IR HELP4 ,! (FIC]S TOLD HIM TO GET LO/4 ,! MAN !N RETURN$ HOME1 DRAGG$ ! BLE$+ 9TRUD] 9TO ! /REET1 & %OT HIM DEAD4 

,H[EV]1 BY ! TIME ,I SPOKE ) ,R,F,Q1 ! G5]AL SITUATION HAD BECOME RELATIVELY /ABLE4 ,AS SU*1 ! ORGANIZATION WAS PREP>+ TO GO =W>D ) MODE/ RECON/RUCTION PROJECTS4 ,!Y W]E 9 ! PROCESS ( GA!R+ RES\RCES TO REPAIR A NUMB] ( >EA RO(S :5 A RUMOR /OPP$ !M 9 !IR TRACKS4 ,E>LI] 9 ! DAY WORD GOT >\ND ?AT EI!R ! LOCAL OR F$]AL GOV]NM5T WAS CLOSE TO 5=C+ ! M&ATORY EVACUATION4 ,?IS RUMOR GA9$ VALIDITY :5 A NUMB] ( ,L\ISIANA ,/ATE ,TROOP]S 5T]$ ,JOHNNY ,:ITE'S & 9ITIALLY DEM&$ ?AT ALL PATRONS LEAVE ) !M TO BE EVACUAT$ IMM$IATELY4 ,AFT] SOME HEAT$ WORDS1 ! ,TROOP]S W]E CONV9C$ TO CALL !IR SUP]IORS = CONFIRMATION4 ,AS ?+S W5T1 !Y LEFT ) NO ONE 9 T[4 ,EV5 SO1 ! /ORY & FE> ( A LOOM+ =C$ REMOVAL SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE ACROSS ! COMMUNITY4 

0,ALL ( US >E444 HID+ 9 \R RESID5CES4 ,IS ?AT /UPID OR :AT8 ,!RE >E HUNDR$S1 EV5 ?\S&S1 ( PEOPLE RI<T H]E ?AT W\LD BE ACTIVE VOLUNTE]S .<9 REBUILD+ \R CITY.>4 ,WE KN[ ?IS CITY LIKE ! BACK ( \R H&S4 ,WE >E NOT DRIV+ >\ND LIKE ,MISSISSIPPI COPS ?AT DON'T KN[ ?IS PLACE4 ,WE KN[ :AT WE'RE DO+1 :]E EV]Y?+ IS1 & H[ TO GET RES\RCES4 ,WE CAN GET ?IS PLACE BACK UP & RUNN+4 ,!Y .<! GOV]NM5T.> NE$ TO LEAVE ! ,FR5* ,QU>T] ALONE1 & LET US DO ?IS10 SAID ,/EVE4 

,K>5 ,WATT1 #f#a1 A SMALL B> [N] & ,R,F,Q MEMB] ADD$1 0,WE >E SURVIVORS :O LIVE H]E4 ,WE CAN TAKE C>E ( \RSELVES40 

,I WOND]$ IF ,R,F,Q WAS SC>$ 9TO NON-ACTION8 ,! ANSW] WAS NO4 ,I LI/5$ AS ,R,F,Q MEMB]S PLANN$ A MASSIVE CLEANUP />T+ NE> ,JACKSON ,SQU>E 7! MIDDLE ( ! ,QU>T]74 ,! ACTION WAS PLANN$ = ! FOLL[+ DAY4 ,IT WAS HOP$ ?AT ?IS DISPLAY W\LD CONV9CE (FICIALS ?AT RESID5TS %\LD BE ALL[$ TO /AY1 & DIRECTLY P>TAKE 9 ! RECOV]Y EF=T4 

,:ILE AT ! ,R,F,Q COMP\ND1 ,I WAS TOLD ?AT A SIMIL> ORGANIZATION WAS =M+ 9 ! NE>BY ,M>IGNY NEI<BORHOOD4 ,I WAS ALSO 9=M$ ( ANO!R GR\P 9 ! ,FR5* ,QU>T] KN[N 9=MALLY AS ! ',R$ ,%IRTS4' ,! ,R$ ,%IRTS CLEAN$ UP ,JACKSON ,SQU>E1 & HAD BE5 PROVID+ FIR/ AID TO ?OSE 9 NE$4 ,LAT] ,I LE>N$ ?AT ACROSS ! RIV] 9 ,ALGI]S ! RESID5TS W]E ALSO ORGANIZ+4 ,IT WAS REPORT$ ?AT =M] ,BLACK ,PAN!RS W]E ACTIVE 9 ?OSE EF=TS4 ,MORE REC5TLY A COMMUNITY C5T] HAS BE5 OP5$ UP 9 ! ,N9? ,W>D BY AN ORGANIZATION CALL$ ,FOOD ,NOT ,BOMBS4 

,IT WAS CLE> ?AT PEOPLE W]E COM+ TOGE!R ACROSS ! CITY4 ,H[EV]1 9/EAD ( LOCAL (FICIALS &_/OR ,F,E,M,A WORK+ ) !SE GR\PS1 !Y W]E BE+ PRESSUR$ TO EVACUATE AGA9/ !IR WILL4 ,:ILE /ILL AT ,H,Q A LI/5$ AS A LOCAL %]IFF W>N$ ,R,F,Q MEMB]S NOT TO LET ,F,E,M,A KN[ !Y HAD /OCKPILES ( FOOD & WAT]4 ,HE CLAIM$ ?AT IF ,F,E,M,A F\ND \T !Y W\LD CONFISCATE ! SUPPLIES4 

,EV5TUALLY ,RIDE & ,I DEP>T$ = ANO!R 'COMMUNITY C5T]2' ,MOLLY'S ,AT ,! ,M>KET4 ,MOLLY'S1 LOCAT$ ON ,DECATUR ,/REET1 WAS ! O!R PUB OP5$ 9 ! ,QU>T]4 ,UNLIKE ,JOHNNY ,:ITE'S 7:I* LIT]ALLY HAD NOT BE5 CLOS$ 9 F\RTE5 YE>S71 ,MOLLY'S KEPT H\RS4 ,!IR DOORS W]E OP5$ #a#a3 ,A,M TO #f3 ,P,M4 ,?IS TAV]N WAS TWO BLOCKS FROM AN AP>TM5T ,I KEPT YE>S AGO4 ,I KNEW ! JUKEBOX BY HE>T4 ,TOM ,WAITS3 ,SMALL ,*ANGE4 ,! ,CLA%3 ,COMBAT ,ROCK4 ,JOHNNY ,CA%3 ,LIVE ,FROM ,SAN ,QU9TON4 ,ON ?IS DAY IT WAS ! ONLY PLACE 9 ! CITY :]E Y\ C\LD GET A COLD BE]4 ,:]E !Y GOT ! ICE1 ,I DID NOT ASK4 

,SITT+ AT ! B> WAS ,MIKE ,H[L1 #d#f1 A PR(ESSIONAL T>OT C>D READ] BE=E ! /ORM4 ,I ASK$ HIM H[ PEOPLE W]E DO+4 ,H[L'S DEPICTION ( EV5TS CONTRADICT$ ! M$IA REPORTS ( G5]AL MAYHEM4 

0,I LIVE RI<T (F ( ,RAMP>T ,/REET SO ,I SAW ?\S&S ( PEOPLE LEAV+ ! ,N9? ,W>D & HEAD+1 UN=TUNATELY1 TO ! ,SUP]DOME4 ,I SAW PEOPLE %>E ! ONLY PAIR ( %OES ?AT !Y HAD4 ,I DIDN'T SEE ANY ACTS ( VIOL5CE4 ,I SAW PEOPLE JU/ TRY+ TO HELP ONE ANO!R444 ,! PEOPLE HAVE BE5 GOOD4 ,I HAV5'T SE5 ANY PROBLEM ) VIOL5CE4 0 

,H[L CONT9U$1 0,?IS :OLE IMAGE ( ! POOR PEOPLE COM+ FROM ! ,N9? ,W>D BE+ ?IS UNCONTROLL$ MOB IS ABSOLUTE ,B,S4 ,LIKE ,I SAID1 ,I WAS RI<T :]E ! PEOPLE W]E COM+ FROM1 & ,I DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS ) ANYONE40 

0,! MA9 ?+ .<IS.> H[ HUMANE ! PEOPLE W]E444 ,EV]YBODY SAID1 'HELLO'1 'H[ >E Y\'1 'GOOD LUCK4' ,!Y'D TELL Y\ :]E TO GO TO GET ?+S4 ,IT WAS HE>TW>M+1 BECAUSE EV5 PEOPLE ?AT W]E 9 WORSE %APE ?AN ,I WAS 91 MU* WORSE %APE1 W\LD DO ?+S ?AT W]E HELPFUL1 & ,I'M V]Y ?ANKFUL = ?AT444 ,I SAW ! BE/ ( PEOPLE1 & ?AT 9CLUDES PEOPLE FROM ! ,N9? ,W>D10 RECALL$ ,H[L4 

,MIKE W5T ON TO TELL ME ?AT MANY MORE PEOPLE ?AN ONE MI<T ?9K W]E COM+ TOGE!R & ORGANIZ+4 ,HE MADE REF]5CE TO TWO 0COMMUNES0 ?AT =M$ FOLL[+ ! CRISIS4 ,HE EXPLA9$ ?AT !SE COMMUNES W]E H\SEHOLDS ( PEOPLE :O HAVE POOL$ !IR BELONG+S & LABOR 9 ORD] TO PROVIDE COLLECTIVE SECURITY & BASIC NECESSITIES4 

,H[L1 LIKE SO MANY O!R PEOPLE ,I SPOKE ) 9 ! PA/ F\R DAYS1 EXPRESS$ ANG] & FRU/RATION ) ! GOV]NM5T4 0,! GOV]NM5T (F]$ US NO?+1 EXCEPT MIS]Y & ?REATS444 ,KATR9A T]RORIZ$ US = ONE DAY4 ,BUT ! GOV]NM5T HAS T]RORIZ$ US1 MEAN+ ! PEOPLE ( ,NEW ,ORLEANS1 EV]Y DAY S9CE10 HE SAID4 

,H[L TOLD ME ?AT FOOD & WAT] WAS SL[ COM+ 9TO ! CITY4 0,WE HAD ! FIR/ FIVE DAYS .<AFT] ! /ORM.> ( WAIT+444 ,JACKSON ,SQU>E WAS DRY & !Y C\LD HAVE HAD EM]G5CY FOOD DI/RIBUTION !RE FROM ! DAY ,KATR9A HIT4 ,!Y NEV] DID A ?+10 HE ASS]T$4 

,\TSIDE ,I TALK$ ) A FEW PASS]SBY4 ,ONE WAS ,DAVID ,RI*>DSON4 ,RI*>DSON1 #e#f1 WAS A C>RIAGE DRIV] 9 ! ,FR5* ,QU>T]4 ,I ASK$ :Y HE HAD NOT EVACUAT$8 ,HE ANSW]$1 0,?IS IS MY HOME1 ,I WANT TO /AY ) IT4 ,?IS IS MY CITY4 ,I LOVE ?IS CITY4 ,I LOVE ! ,FR5* ,QU>T]4 ,I WANT TO BE H]E TO PUT IT ALL BACK TOGE!R40 

,AS DUSK APPROA*$1 HE LEAN$ UP AGA9/ A PO/ & SUMM$ UP ,NEW ,ORLEANS' SPIRIT ( COMMUNITY & SELF-RELIANCE2 0,?IS IS :AT ,I CALL ! ',COMMITTEE ( #g#e'4 ,NOBODY IS GIV+ ORD]S4 ,!RE >E 5\< PEOPLE ?AT KN[ :AT NE$S TO BE DONE & WE TALK IT OV]40 

,CONSCI\S ( ! 5CROA*+ NI<T1 ,RIDE & MYSELF HEAD$ BACK TO ,JOHNNY ,:ITE'S4 ,9 \R ABS5CE1 ,RIDE'S COMRADE1 ,YELL[ ,/RAY ,DOG1 A ,NATIVE ,AM]ICAN WOMAN 9 H] =TIES1 SAID %E HAD BE5 ?R[N UP AGA9/ A WALL BY ! COPS4 ,%E TOLD ME ! POLICE ACCUS$ H] ( BE+ A LOOT]1 PUT A GUN TO H] NECK1 & ?REAT5$ TO %OOT H]4 ,S9CE ! CRISIS %E HAD BE5 ADM9I/]+ FIR/ AID ALONG ) ,RIDE TO LOCALS4 ,%E HAD ALSO HELP$ /OCKPILE & DI/RIBUTE FOOD1 WAT]1 & SUPPLIES TO ! NEI<BORHOOD4 ,:5 ,I TALK$ TO H] %E WAS VISIBLY %AK54 

,/RAY ,DOG RECALL$1 0.<,! COPS.> TOLD ME 'Y\'RE NO?+ BUT A *EAP LOOT]1' & ,I SAY 'NO ,I'M A RESPECTABLE P]SON4 ,I'M H]E HELP+ \T MY PEOPLE4' ,!Y TOLD ME !Y W]E GONNA >RE/ ME1 & !Y PU%$ ME AGA9/ ! WALL1 & PUT A GUN444 >\ND MY NECK444 ,!Y W]E SCREAM+ AT ME40 

,FI<T+ BACK TE>S1 ,/RAY ,DOG W5T ON1 0,RI<T N[ ,I'M MORE AFRAID ( ! ,NEW ,ORLEANS POLICE ?AN ANY DISEASE ?AT IS >\ND OR ANY?+ ELSE4 ,!Y REALLY >E OV] P[]+ & 9TIMIDAT+444 ,!RE IS NO NE$ TO BE TREAT$ LIKE ?AT40 

,AFT] ,! ,FLOOD 

 "9,OH MEAN OLD LEVEE TAU<T ME TO WEEP & MOAN4 

,YEAH ! MEAN OLD LEVEE TAU<T ME TO WEEP & MOAN4 

,TOLD ME LEAVE MY BABY & MY HAPPY HOME4"9 "9 

,! NEXT MORN+ ,I /OPP$ 9 ,:ITE'S1 MET UP ) TWO GUYS ,I AGRE$ TO TAKE NOR?1 SAID MY GOODBYES1 & HEAD$ = ! CAUSEWAY ACROSS ! LAKE4 ,ONE LA/ TIME ,I HAD TO WAVE MY PRESS PASS AT M5 ) MA*9E GUNS1 & ONE LA/ TIME ,I LOOK$ OV] MY %\LD] TO SEE ! SKY-SCRAPP]S ) ALL ?OSE %ATT]$ W9D[S4 ,AGA9 ,I WAS ! ONLY P]SON ON ! ROAD4 ,I LIT A B[L1 TOOK A DRAG4 

,I WOND]$ IF SU* MIS]Y WAS AVOIDABLE4 ,C\LD ! ,L\ISIANA ,NATIONAL ,GU>D HAVE REACT$ BETT] & FA/] TO ! CRISIS IF #d ( !IR TROOPS W]E NOT /ATION$ 9 ,IRAQ8 ,W\LD ! LEVEES HAVE HELD IF !Y RECEIV$ BETT] MA9T5ANCE8 ,AFT] ALL1 @s#c#e MILLION 9 F$]AL ASSI/ANCE E>M>K$ = ! LEVEES WAS 9/EAD DIV]T$ TO PAY = ! W> & TAX CUTS = ! WEAL?Y4 ,& AGA91 CLASS PLAY$ A HUGE ROLE 9 BOL/]+ ! BODY C\NT4 ,9 A CITY :OSE POV]TY LEVEL IS AK9 TO ! ?IRD WORLD1 T5S ( ?\S&S ( RESID5TS W]E /R&$ )\T ! ECONOMIC MEANS ( ESCAPE4 ,IT IS CLE> ?AT ! /ATE & F$]AL GOV]NM5TS FAIL$ TO ADEQUATELY DEAL ) ! SITUATION AS IT UNFOLD$4 

,AS ,I DROVE NOR?1 ,I WAS ALSO TR\BL$ AB\T ! POLITICAL GAME :I* W\LD SOON BE AFOOT4 ,I SUSPECT ! F$S WILL USE ,NEW ,ORLEANS AS A VEHICLE TO AW>D DISA/]-PR(ITE]S LIKE ,HALLIBURTON BILLIONS 9 RECON/RUCTION CONTRACTS4 ,!Y WILL ALSO USE ! RELAT$ F$]AL EXP5DITURES AS AN EXCUSE TO FUR!R CUT SOCIAL S]VICES = POOR & WORK+ PEOPLE4 ,/ILL1 :ILE ?IS PROCESS PLAYS ITSELF \T1 ! DRAMA ( DAILY SURVIVAL REMA9S = ! HUNDR$S ( ?\S&S ( PEOPLE ADV]SELY AFFECT$ BY ! DISA/]4 ,?IS %\LD NOT BE =GOTT54 ,IT WILL BE MANY YE>S BE=E ,NEW ,ORLEANS CAN C\NT ! <O/S ?AT WALK H] WRECK$ /REETS4 ,IT WILL BE G5]ATIONS BE=E !Y CAN BE EXORCIZ$ FROM ! COLLECTIVE MEMORY ( ! LIV+4 ,AFT] ALL1 WE HAVE SE5 ! FACE ( ! ,DEVIL1 & H] NAME IS ,KATR9A4 

"9,:5 ,! ,LEVEE ,BREAKS1 -,KANSAS ,JOE ,MC,COY & ,MEMPHIS ,M9NIE 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #bd 3 ,:5 ,! ,LEVEE ,BREAKS -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,APRIL #a#i1 #bb 3 ,:5 ,! ,LEVEE ,BREAKS -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #c1 #bbb 3 ,:5 ,! ,LEVEE ,BREAKS -- ,UPDAT$4 

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