1. We now know and the rest of the world knows the United States is not as prepared for a disaster (natural or man-made) as it should be. We looked incredibly unorganized and third worldish. It is turning around but I think the images we all saw will always be imprinted.

2. Clearly, the Iraq war has drained money and the ability of the United Stated to protect its citizens.

3. A few years ago a 14 billion estimate to rebuild the levees and marshes was nixed by the Bush administration. Had it been authorized there was a good chance it would not have been completed far enough along to have prevented this; but we will never know. It is going to take 10 times this amount now to rebuild N.O.

4. The cost of the war in Iraq far exceeds the current cost of rebuilding the Gulf states. Now you have to ask yourself in a rational voice, would keeping Saddam pinned down like he was been a more effective approach rather than invading a country who did not attack us; depleting our nations forces; and costing the US billions of dollars that it could sorely use now. Where were the weapons of mass destruction... oh I get it it`s the war on terror. Funny, none of the 9/11 highjackers were Iraqi.