In the last two days, it's become clear that the damage done by Hurricane Katrina to the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama Gulf Coast region is one of the most serious disasters in American history. I told Kathleen yesterday that I think the destruction in New Orleans will have a more lasting impact on the United States than the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. There are many reasons for this, but the key reasons are:

1. The transportation infrastructure of the lower Mississippi River is critical to delivery of food and energy throughout the United States.
2. The damage due to the direct impact of the hurricane and the flooding that occurred afterward is widespread and affects both commercial and residential areas.
3. The people displaced by the hurricane are likely to become refugees for weeks or months before they are able to return to their home areas.

All Americans will be economically affected by this disaster, but people in coastal areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have been displaced and lost many of their belongings. These people need our help and we should all step up and make some sort of donation.

I just made a small donation on behalf of OperationGadget.com and CTDATA to the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund. The Red Cross has proven over the years to be effective at directing financial contributions to where they're most needed.

If you are interested in making a contribution in this time of need, you can visit the Red Cross' Donate Now! page at: http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html.