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I’m standing in a small clearing in a field of destroyed homes. It used to be someone’s front yard. Senator Landrieu is in Baton Rouge. I can’t see her; I can only hear her through my plastic earpiece.

I start by asking her if the federal government bears responsibility for what is happening. “Should they apologize for what is happening now?” I ask.

“Anderson, there will be plenty of time to discuss all of those issues, about why, and how, and what, and if,” Landrieu says. “But, Anderson, as you understand, and all of the producers and directors of CNN, and the news networks, this situation is very serious and it’s going to demand all of our full attention through the hours, through the nights, through the days.

“Let me just say a few things. Thank President Clinton and former President Bush for their strong statements of support and comfort today. I thank all the leaders that are coming to Louisiana, and Mississippi, and Alabama to our help and rescue.

“We are grateful for the military assets that are being brought to bear. I want to thank Senator Frist and Senator Reid for their extraordinary efforts.

“Anderson, tonight, I don’t know if you’ve heard—maybe you all have announced it—but Congress is going to an unprecedented session to pass a ten-billion-dollar supplemental bill tonight to keep FEMA and the Red Cross up and operating.”

I can’t believe she is thanking people. In Waveland, the bodies haven’t been picked up; the National Guard is just starting to arrive. In New Orleans, no help has come to the Convention Center; the Superdome is unbearable for those still stuck there. I literally cannot believe what she is saying.

“Excuse me, Senator. I’m sorry for interrupting,” I say. “I haven’t heard that, because for the last four days I’ve been seeing dead bodies in the streets here in Mississippi. And to listen to politicians thanking each other and complimenting each other—you know, I’ve got to tell you, there are a lot of people here who are very upset, and very angry, and very frustrated.

“And when they hear politicians slap—you know, thanking one another, it just, you know, it kind of cuts them the wrong way right now, because literally there was a body on the streets of this town yesterday being eaten by rats because this woman had been lying in the street for forty-eight hours. And there’s not enough facilities to take her up. Do you get the anger that is out here?”

“Anderson, I have the anger inside of me,” she responds. “Most of the homes in my family have been destroyed. Our homes have been destroyed. I understand what you’re saying, and I know all of those details. And the president of the United States knows those details.”

“Well, who are you angry at?” I ask her.

“I’m not angry at anyone,” she says. “I’m just expressing that it is so important for everyone in this nation to pull together, for all military assets and all assets to be brought to bear in this situation. And I have every confidence that this country is as great and as strong as we can be to do that. And that effort is under way.”

“Well, I mean, there are a lot of people here who are kind of ashamed of what is happening in this country right now,” I say. “Ashamed of what is happening in your state, certainly, and that’s not to blame the people who are there. It’s a desperate situation. But…no one seems to be taking responsibility. I mean, I know you say there’s a time and a place for…looking back, but this seems to be the time and the place. I mean, there are people who want answers, and there are people who want someone to stand up and say, ‘You know what? We should have done more.’ Are all the assets being brought to bear? I mean, today, for the first time, I’m seeing National Guard troops in this town.”

“Anderson, I know,” she says. “And I know where you are. And I know what you’re seeing. Believe me, we know it. And we understand, and there will be a time to talk about all of that. Trust me. I know what the people are suffering. The governor knows. The president knows. The military officials know. And they’re trying to do the very