Cracks in the Facade AV Club

First, here's a great report from yesterday's Marketplace (heard on NPR stations) about what's been happening post-hurricane in Waveland, Mississippi and the society forming around the survivors at the Coast Inn and Suites. It's a very worthwhile listen (via Real Player), but here are a few transcribed bits:

Grech: Brothers Steve and Bill Ady (sp?) owned the hotel, and he caught sight of one of the town's local characters. She gave them a full measure of how far they've fallen. Ady: There's a local lady around town and she pushes a cart. She's pretty much destitute all the time. The next morning, the one person you thought might not have made it, she's coming down the road. And we're all pushing carts, so we're all in the same boat. We're all survivors. [...] Grech: Now (retired meteorologist) Meindl (sp?) says it's strong arms and skilled labor that's giving the orders Meindl: The ones that know car repair and how to jury-rig things to make fans and stuff to make us more comfortable... Other people who couldn't do that might have used their bulk and muscle to go run and grab ice for the hotel. [...] Grech: Katrina didn't just flatten houses; she's temporarily flattened social class as well. Mayfield: It's survival of the fittest down here right now. Grech: That's Steven Mayfield, 23. He was a student. Now he's just about the most important person in this hotel. Mayfield: We had to feed people for the first three days on a barbecue pit off of vacuum sealed pork and sausage. Most of the time it was myself and the younger people here, the people who can get out and do stuff in the heat. I ain't stopped yet. [...] Grech: FEMA also showed up. Sort of. FEMA Guy: I'm an independent contractor. I'm going house to house. I have no idea. I just turned in here to use my map. Sorry. Grech: That was the first contact you guys have had with FEMA, right? Townsperson: Yes, it is. That's the first time I've seen FEMA come in here like that. Grech: I mean, all he really did was turn in here by mistake. Townsperson: Looks like we're going to be staying here for awhile.

Then there's this video clip from WAFB TV (linked to by Crooks and Liars) of survivor Charmaine Neville telling a harrowing story of survival that will bring tears to your eyes by the end of it. That woman has a strength in her that is amazing, but there are many, many more like her who have been helping folks get out of that hell pit, and thank the heavens for them.

Finally, there's this clip from The Daily Show from last night (as I post this, the Crooks and Liars servers seem a bit overwhelmed).