[An.American.Expatriate]

There were news reports of tourists who could not get onto a flight out and all the rental cars were taken.

When were the FIRST warnings that Katrina would most likely hit that area? I beleive it was the middle of last week. (could be wrong, but...)

Besides planes & rental cars - there are also trains & buses. Furthermore, the hotels themselves could have/ should have arranged with bus companies to evacuate the tourists long before an order was given to do so.

I can, in the back of my mind, understand a homeowner who decides to stay and ride out the storm. I can NOT fathom a tourist WITH family hanging around.

Having said that - even if some were trapped - what makes THEM any more "special" than any of the other survivors who likewise need evacuation??

Queue up, wait like everyone else and quit yer bitchen . . .

[MarMema]

Whenever the first warnings were, the tourists were forced to compete with the evacuating residents.

Tourists have homes and jobs to return to, unlike the locals who require food and water. Getting the tourists out makes perfect sense, because it saves resources.

[RadioAstronomer]

Queue up, wait like everyone else and quit yer bitchen . . .

One of the more vile posts I have ever seen on FR.