-- okay, scary storm; again of course I think about the people who were dealing with Katrina, and I see that I just can't imagine it. Anyway, I left West Memphis, Arkansas, got back on I-55 South, passed through Tennessee and Mississippi, and have finally made it all the way here to Hammond, Louisiana. The desk clerk tells me it's only about 45 minutes to New Orleans.

. . . so tomorrow I'll be able to start reporting on what I see first-hand (or at least the impressions I get) in terms of crime, poverty, etc.

jdm