One major way that Iowa and other Upper Midwest states could really help Katrina victims would be to say something like this to Congress and the White House: "You can stop spending money on the Mississippi River lock upgrade project, which is highly dubious at best, both economically and environmentally. Instead, use that huge amount of money to restore the barrier islands and wetlands around New Orleans, and to sustainably rebuild and protect the city and its infrastructure. We in the Upper Midwest understand that federal money is limited, and we recognize that the Upper Mississippi navigation project is totally expendable compared to the current needs of New Orleans." Just a thought. Cindy Cindy Hildebrand [log in to unmask] Ames, IA 50010 "Wolves were howling in different directions this evening after we had encamped, and the barking of the little prairie wolves resembled those of our Common Small Dogs." (William Clark) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Join us at Sierra Summit 2005. For information go to: http://www.sierrasummit2005.org/ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/