Mayor Nagin is issuing a
Desperate SOS for food and water in New Orleans. No one seems to know when these will reach the needy.
In the third world,
airdrops of relief material from large military transport planes is a quick solution when the afflicted are difficult to reach. A C-130 could do the job in New Orleans. They couldn't shoot it down like a flimsy helicopter.
The media, the relief agencies, and the people need to start demanding quick airdrops over New Orleans RIGHT NOW - packages of food, water, clothing, medicine. Just the essentials would be a HUGE help. (I hope the packages are at least ready.)
Call your representative now. The situation is desperate. People can't wait another 24-48 hours in uncertainty.
*EDIT* Dear reader, recommend this diary if you can.. I'd like to keep this demand visible - we can't do much except give money and get frustrated, but people demanding immediate airdrops could help a lot of people fast.