Thoughts on Katrina

Today is the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

For the life of me I don't understand this notion of "celebrating'' Katrina. More than a thousand people died because of Katrina. The Mississippi Gulf Coast was shredded, New Orleans was flooded and we're "celebrating.''

I don't mean to be the editor here, but maybe "acknowledge'' is a better word than "celebrate'' when it comes to Katrina.

I haven't been to New Orleans since the storm. But I have been to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Yes, there has been some rebuilding done there and I guess that is why we call it "celebrating'' Katrina. But I've also driven down U.S. Highway 90 and missed a turn because no landmarks are still standing. I've seen the tree branches still in the water off the beach. I've seen where the hotel I used to stay in has now been reduced to bricks.

"Celebrate'', I don't think so. Katrina was a bad thing. I think we should acknowledge that it happened and acknowledge the progress that has been made. But celebrating needs to wait until the Gulf Coast and New Orleans are whole again.