When the only tool you have is a gun, every problem looks like someone to shoot.

The priorities of the federal relief effort remain fending off the risk of scary black people with guns. This is the first order of business

No civilians in New Orleans will be allowed to carry pistols, shotguns, or other firearms, said P. Edwin Compass, the superintendent of police. "Only law enforcement are allowed to have weapons," he said.

But that order apparently does not apply to the hundreds of security guards whom businesses and some wealthy individuals have hired to protect their property. The guards, who are civilians working for private security firms like Blackwater, are openly carrying M-16's and other assault rifles. Mr. Compass said he was aware of the private guards, but that the police had no plans to make them give up their weapons. NYT

The double standard lets you know what they think the risk is. Meanwhile, the risk of cholera gets lower priority

Efforts to recover corpses have also started, although only a handful of bodies have been recovered so far.

The authorities believe that disease is a risk, that's why they are evacuating people from the city after the hurricane.

Mr. Compass said today that the city's plans for a forced evacuation remain in effect because of the danger of disease and fires.

Everything here say that the authorities are more intereted in controlling the population than preventing further damage.