Shoes

One of the recurring scenes in footage of looting in New Orleans is people taking shoes.

One woman, laden down with multiple pairs, claimed to be bringing shoes back to her whole family, since, if you walk around in the water barefoot, your feet will get all cut up. It seemed like she might have been telling the truth, since she herself looked too small to fit what looked like men's size 13 sneakers in her hand.

That image came to mind when I read this morning's report that Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, refreshed by laughing away last night at the Broadway comedy Spamalot, was spotted at Ferragamo on 5th Avenue buying thousands of dollars of designer footware.

Shoes are an important necessity, no matter what your class. It's good to see that Condi has her priorities clear.

And really, why should the Secretary of State interrupt her vacation to help deal with Katrina? What could she do, really?

Except maybe explain to the Canadians why we aren't letting their urban search-and-rescue and disaster-relief teams into the country.

Planes are ready to load with food and medical supplies and a system called "DART" which can provide fresh water and medical supplies is standing by. Department of Homeland Security as well as other U.S. agencies were contacted by the Canadian government requesting permission to provide help. Despite this contact, Canada has not been allowed to fly supplies and personnel to the areas hit by Katrina. So, everything here is grounded. Prime Minister Paul Martin is reportedly trying to speak to President Bush tonight or tomorrow to ask him why the U.S. federal government will not allow aid from Canada into Louisiana and Mississippi.

Seems like you'd need the Secretary of State to make an excuse for that.