The line in the picture is for people who wouldn't of couldn't leave waiting to get in to the Superdome. Some facts:

1. The N.O. city gov't estimates that there are approximately 100,000 people who cannot self-evacuate due to health or lack of personal transportation.

2. N.O. is essentially in a bowl, below sea level between the Miss. River and Lake Ponchatrain (which is a estuary).

3. The Superdome is N.O.'s "shelter of last resort", meaning that it is the last facility opened. It is built up 18' above sea level with decks reaching up about 4 stories It is (supposedly) designed to survive sustained 200 MPH winds. However, this will be the strongest hurricane to hit N.O. since the Superdome was built.

4. Many people refused to go to other shelters, waiting for the city to open the Superdome. Others were vacationing and didn't act quickly enough (or at all) to get out before the airports closed.

5. Local NG MP's are providing security and are searching all persons entering for drugs, alcohol and weapons. (Personal note: Given the state of the N.O.P.D., the people are in better hands with the MP's). It took about 5 hours to clear the lines.

6. Both the Gov of LA and the Mayor of N.O called on their citizens to evacuate early Friday - way too many waited until this (Saturday) afternoon. Even with contra-flow plans (all lanes heading in one direction) on major highways, traffic was moving slowly.

When I see what's happening, I think of the scene in "Men in Black" where Tommy Lee Jones tells Will Smith " A preson is smart, people are stupid" (i.e. "PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER."). One could become very cynical and take a "Darwinistic" approach that this is just nature's way of cleansing the gene pool of people with low survival drives.

Since Hurricane Camile devastated the Miss coast in '68 the local Miss EMA's ask all not leaving to provide the name and phone numbers for next-of-kin.

I'm in the Jackson Miss area and I'm not looking forward to the next 48-72 hours. (I remember weathering Camile in the house my parents still own across town.)

Goodnight and good luck

JimJr