Later this evening, nytimes.com said the GOP will go on as planned tomorrow, but will only discuss what it has to. McCain and supporters want to turn their attention toward the Gulf Coast and McCain said, "People should take their Republican hats off and put their American hats on." The article also said that President Bush will not be attending the convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, and it also mentioned that proceeds and contributions intended for the convention will be directed to relief efforts.

Being from the Coast, I don't think our small coastal communities can take another hit physically, emotionally, and/or financially. Even though it has been nearly three years (sort of ironic how Gustav is around the same date of Katrina) since Hurricane Katriana ravaged the Gulf Coast, recovery efforts are still ongoing.

Waveland, Miss. (my hometown) is one of the cities that was more than 90 percent destroyed by Katrina. I am well aware people are sick of hearing about it, but once it hits you, then you will know how it feels to lose everything you've had... childhood keepsakes, baby pictures, clothes, your house, families and/or friends, jobs. Then what really hurts, our small coastal community is overshadowed by the lower ninth ward and New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina has become the icon of New Orleans and people (the media especially) totally overlook our recovery process and our economy, which is plummeting. Even though our current president and his administration have had numerous low-points, President Bush did one oustanding thing for the coastal communities. About four to five months ago, Bush appointed General Douglas O'Dell as the Federal Coordinator for the Gulf Coast Rebuilding Process. He was a marine for more than 40 years and I think his military background makes him the perfect point-man for the job. After speaking to him this summer, I felt reassured he would get the job done since he is assertive and forthright. He knows it has been almost three years sine Hurricane Katrina and noting really has been done. O'Dell is taking the initiative to listen to our community leaders problems and learn which ones should be addressed first (based on urgency). Waveland/Bay St. Louis still does not have a grocery store, just the mega-Walmart on the highway. And now Gustav is well on its way to making landfall within the approaching days and I fear our small cities can't afford to take another hit. Our cities and county complexes are still in trailers. These complexes consist of city hall, tax office, sheriff's department, fire department, district attorney's office, planning and zoning, etc. If it does strike, our recovery progress will go back to the drawing board. I guess we just have to wait and see. I know my family evacuated because it would be too much to lose everything for a second time.