The response by the community to the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico is nothing short of fabulous. Here in Federal Way, people drew together to express a true sense of community as they donated money and materials to aid the survivors.

Many people I've talked with have sent money to the Red Cross and United Way, World Vision and Mercy Corps. Several young people I have heard about have been inspired to go to the devastated area and help in any way they can. This attitude is very heartening. As we go from day to day doing the things that comprise work and school and recreation and the pursuit of self-interest, it is good to know that just under the surface there is a powerful sense of empathy in the human spirit.

And because of the advent of the internet, we have been able to share the dreadful experience quickly and graphically. I am ashamed of our government and in particular the Bush Administration's cavalier approach to handling the role of FEMA and its inexcusable response lapses. Beyond that, I am disgusted with the attempts by the Republican faithful to whitewash misdeeds.

If you want to help, it would be a good idea to do a little digging, either through one of the local daily papers, or on the internet if you are connected. The papers are all running things about how to help.

The United Way, I've been told, is accepting cash donations for survivor relief and has struck a partnership with the Red Cross to use every penny of your contribution for Katrina Relief. The money will be 'banked' for the ongoing effort, which will take many months and even years, with 110 percent of the money going for disaster relief.

It is interesting how different the community response is to this disaster than what happened after 9/11. Many people gave blood and many sent money. But there was almost a feeling of helplessness after 9/11, because so many died so quickly and then the dust settled and was concentrated in a relatively small geography spot. The damage from Katrina cannot be apprehended in a single viewing and the impact of the devastation is just breathtaking.

There are also many stories emerging of greed, avarice and racism. Even the president's mother remarked cynically that the people of New Orleans who were forced out of their meager surroundings were better off in Texas, as if that somehow was a benefit.

When we discovered that President Bush's appointee to head FEMA was another inappropriate patronage job, I hope it set in motion a hunt for other 'officials' who have no business holding important offices. We already found one in Washington State, a former legislator from Lewis County who was appointed by Jennifer Dunn, a spear carrier for Bush, to the $138,000 a year plus-bennies job. This is another guy who has trouble finding his rear end with both hands who has an absurdly high federal salary and a make-work role.

There is an old saying that a person's true character will emerge in a crisis. The crisis was upon us before the hurricane hit. We now have seen character revealed in both ordinary citizens who have given money and materials, and in our leadership, who gave us short shrift until smoked out of the ranch by public opinion.