Kathleen Blanco: “We're in crisis mode, and we simply have to move people and get them to safe ground.”

The president and I both agree that people in shelters need more stable private housing.

Looting and other lawlessness will not be tolerated. I have instructed all of our law enforcement personnel at the state and local level to strictly enforce Louisiana laws and to use necessary force.

I talked to every person in power including the President. You know, begging for help.

I knew on Saturday before the storm and it's in all the documentation that I presented to Congress that this category 5 was going to out match any of Louisiana's resources.