[Acrylic-bob]

Ermmm, possibly something of a backtrack of sorts here, I have just discovered that New Orleans, like Venice, is sinking, apparently; at the rate of three feet per century. Which would account for it currently being six feet below mean sea level. When it was originally laid out it would probably have been a couple of feet above mean sea level and there would have been little danger. However, the current flood defences were designed in 1953, so they are just a tad out of date it would seem.

It must also be said that, given a good week's warning that the storm was headed their way, the planning of the evacuation and the relief effort has been, to say the least, a mess. Lives that would otherwise have been safe, have been lost.

I was surprised to read that Sri-Lanka (formerly Ceylon), despite still struggling to cope with the effects of the Christmas Tsunami, has pledged $25,000 to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. While all that Georgies best mate, Tone, has said is that Britain stands ready to offer whatever help may be required. Not exactly a response on quite the same level as the "widow's mite" from poor Ceylon. No mention of diverting the Royal Navy to help out with the evacuation or sending helicopters - or a crack team of British Civil Engineers to help with the improvement of flood defenses for the future, when New Orleans will be NINE feet below mean sea level!