Thank Heavens!

I was soooooo relieved to read that Angelina Jolie finally released a statement about Hurricane Katrina - ever since the storm formed, I have been dying to know what her thoughts are on it. From the AP:

NEW YORK

Angelina Jolie says she is happy aid is getting to the hurricane- ravaged New Orleans area, but that "it is simply not going to be enough."

The 30-year-old actress issued a statement late Friday that she was "shocked" at the images coming from New Orleans, a city she said is "very close to my heart."

"It is wonderful to hear of the relief efforts that are finally coming into New Orleans and the rest of the region today, but as we all know, it is simply not going to be enough," she said.

"The federal government's response must be dramatically increased in order to prevent a further loss of life."

Jolie said she has sent letters to members of Congress and the White House asking them to increase the speed of the federal response. She added, "Like most people, I am simply trying to understand the situation in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and how I can best help."

The actress is known for her spirited support of African refugees and serves as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations.


I think we can consider this crisis over! Angelina Jolie has sent letters to Congress - hooray!

But seriously, Angelina is simply trying to understand the situation, and how she can best help. Now, I am not a Congressman, nor am I any sort of elected official. I am merely a citizen, not much different from Ms. Jolie, and I thought that the situation was fairly easy to understand: the people of New Orleans were told to evacuate and, for some reason, many did not. Even though I have never been to New Orleans, I am aware that the city was built below sea level, and the equation is fairly simple:

Big Hurricane + City Built Below Sea Level = Evacuate when they tell you to evacuate!

And as far as how you can help, Angelina, you can give money to the American Red Cross. I saw that on the Today Show. I guess you must've been working on those letters to Congress when that segment aired...