So I've been staying quiet here on the subject of Katrina because I know I have at least one friend who, for whatever reasons, is both a Republican and a Bush supporter and while I absolutely cannot understand her political choices, I do love and respect her, but honestly I cannot stay quiet any longer.

Because this isn't about partisan politicking. This is about being an American and standing up when someone, anyone, in the political arena behaves as if they were above question.

Yesterday in the car, everlastingwhy and I were listening to NPR and a local actor/artist was giving a very impassioned plea about how using the word 'refugee' to describe the hurricane survivors was bad and no good and loaded with negative connotations.

OK. I get that.

The problem?

FEMA is treating them as if they were refugees.

The so-called evacuee camps are being run more like prison camps and the American citizens within are being treated with less respect and consideration than our actual criminals are.

This situation has been a clusterfuck from the get-go and the administration has been desperately trying to shift blame onto anyone they can find - the local N.O. government, the media, hell, the IDP's themselves.

It's a fucking travesty and it cannot be allowed to happen.

If you don't have any idea what I'm talking about, go here thete1 and here buggery and heretzikeh. They have done an awesome job of searching out and collecting news stories.

Do not fall victim to more lies from the Bush Administration. Do not allow DHS and FEMA to continue to treat our friends, families, hell, our enemies like this.

Sign petitions.

Write letters to the editor.

Stay angry. Stay focused.