A co-worker's son is a member of the New York City Fire Department, and is one of those who went down to New Orleans about a week ago.

He has reported back that they have releaved some of the city's own so they can take a break. They have been working 17+ hour days and haven't had hot food for the past few. They were hoping to actually get some cooked food last night as a change from sandwiches. He has also said that television can not give you a true feeling for what it is like for the people remaining there. The number of fires and the smell is unbelievable.

We can only send our best wishes and hope that he and the men & women like him remain safe as they perform their jobs. They expect no reward and it is likely they will get little fan fare when they return. These are the same folks who put their lives on the line on 9/11, but they keep doing their jobs.

George Bush and his ilk don't deserve to be in the same room, let alone some photo op, with these folks and never will.