I am in the process of getting together a team of volunteers to do big voter registration drives in Mississippi.  We will be starting in the Gulfport / Biloxi area.  (We will work our way through the entire state until every county is covered).

NOTE:  If you can't help in Gulfport necessarily, but DO live in a different area of Mississippi and want to help there, drop me a line.  

The person introducing me to Gilda Reed, Democratic Candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, La. 01, was gesturing to the young woman with the dark hair who had just arrived with a group of people.  My first thought was, "I thought she was older and a blond."  I turned to say "hello" to her but she indicated another person.  I looked to where she had pointed and there stood a middle aged man.  Now I thought my mind was playing tricks on me.  I was really confused.  Isn’t Gilda a woman?  (The man later turned out to be Gilda’s husband, Sam.)  Not wanting to appear dumbstruck, I put out my hand and said, "Gilda"?  He smiled and stepped aside to let the person behind him step through the little circle that had formed.

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I hope you like a good story and I hope my story's good.  Pass across the fold, please to get the rest.
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From my New York progressive friends who came down to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to volunteer their winter holiday time to help building four homes for Katrina families here in Bay St. Louis and Waveland, Mississippi, located in Hancock County--the county that Hurricane Katrina hit the worst  comes this slide show of their time here in the rain and muck, cold and humidity. This slide show has FABULOUS music playing, so turn up your speakers and be ready to dance around!!

Today, a tad over two years since Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast and the insurance industry began to ravage the financial security of American families and businesses, certain handmade signs remain as evidence that reveal the reality on the ground. The hurricane ravaged homes regardless of economic position, political party, religious affiliation, marital status, ethnic or racial background, etc. and so forth.

Joe De Benvenutti and his family have lived on Beach Boulevard in Bay St. Louis, Miss., for 23 years. He thought his flood insurance and his State Farm hurricane policy would cover his losses in case of a hurricane, but State Farm is refusing to pay his claim after Katrina.

See his sign here.