Most of the national media have long since given up bringing the facts of why New Orleans flooded to the public's attention. Now, the candidates, all working their poll-approved themes, choose not to.

Okay, we've moved the ball a little bit on the subject of waterboarding. After an unseemly period of dodges and feints adding up to "We don't torture...

In the wake of the catastrophic failure of that system, some serious questions have had to be asked, and answered. Mr. Obama seemed oblivious to this development.

Bill Clinton focused entirely on issues of recovery in his appearance in New Orleans. What was missing? Exactly what's been missing from Sens. Edwards' and Obama's statements.

People like to assert a contrast between a culture of corruption in New Orleans and what goes on in Washington. Yes, everybody's got a sense of humor these days.

The Centers for Disease Control came out with the results of testing on the formaldehyde levels in the FEMA trailers on the Gulf Coast, and the bottom line is: get the people out of those trailers.

Lost in all of the major-league screw-ups is one crucial fact: the Corps of Engineers did not have large sandbags pre-stationed as the hurricane approached.

It's understandable, if unfortunate, that the angle that most appeals to TV news talking heads -- would-be journalists, after all -- is the journalistic angle.

A volunteer for the local Sierra Club was testing in New Orleans, as soon as she heard reports of symptoms from the toxic gas, and the Feds -- guess what? -- ignored her reports.