Quick note on Katrina

How can we help? I don't know, I don't know, I don't know.
First hand account from an "Email attributed to NOLA rescue worker":

The poorest 20% (you can argue with the number -- 10%? 18%? no one knows) of the city was left behind to drown. This was the plan. Forget the sanctimonious bullshit about the bullheaded people who wouldn't leave. The evacuation plan was strictly laissez-faire. It depended on privately owned vehicles, and on having ready cash to fund an evacuation. The planners knew full well that the poor, who in new orleans are overwhelmingly black, wouldn't be able to get out. The resources -- meaning, the political will -- weren't there to get them out. (emphasis mine)

True that.

Some donation ideas from Wonkette: The Red Cross will take your blood if you don't have cash!

But before you get too drunk to dial or click, we suggest you get out your credit card. The Wonkette household gave at least four or five rounds worth (somewhere nice, too) to the Red Cross -- we like them especially because they'll take your blood if you can't give them cash. (They need both.) In good-bad news, their site seems to be clogged, so try calling: 1-800-435-7669. The megabloggers are keeping lists of other worthy charities if you want to be "different." If you have more than a few dollars to spare, consider tossing some kibble toward those who can't
ask for charity: The Humane Society and Noah's Wish will be attempting to rescue the hundreds if not thousands of pets left abandoned because of the disaster.