Hurricane relief reaches new levels

Watching CNN ('America's most trusted news source' - which strikes me as rather like being 'America's least unhealthy bacon double cheeseburger' or 'China's least underage gymnast) this morning, I was impressed by a very authoritative-looking chap in army garb explaining how much more directed, efficient and precise the response to Hurricane Ike was than to Hurricane Katrina (mental note - does this odd 'naming hurricanes' thing have an effect on childrens names? I'm sure Katrina is a less desirable name down in New Orleans now...).

He went on to give examples:

• If people need blankets, we can get them blankets
• If people need food, we deliver them food
• If people need ice, we make sure they have ice

Hang on a minute. Ice? Because in the aftermath of a hurricane it is really important to have properly cooled drinks?

I have a vision of a couple out on their porch relaxing with a nice cocktail, then saying 'Dang, we're out of ice again. Honey, can you call the army and tell them to bring some by on their way over to building shelter for all the people whose houses were wrecked. Oh, and if they could pick up some pretzels too, that would be great'.