Saturation...Literally and Figuratively

As the Gulf Coast was saturated by the rains and ocean and lake waters, I am feeling saturated by the continual news. The emotions run the gamut. I wrote previously about friends from New Orleans. I learned today that the friend I hadn't heard about has lost everything as far as the house and the material goods are concerned. They lived right by one of the levees that broke. They have actually seen the remnants of their house on television. His wife was concerned about their belongings and the wedding gifts they had received. My friend's response was that they had a combination of their belongings and now they can get items that will belong to both of them. (Side note: this is the guy that would throw cockroaches on us when we were younger. He would also take care of us in school. I didn't have an older brother and he certainly acted as one to me.) His wife is pregnant and due in November. I can't imagine having to start over while expecting a child.

And while I am feeling saturated by all the news, I am pleased with the outpouring of support our country is giving to these people. However, I am a little peeved that our government, for whatever reason, isn't allowing other countries to fly in the planes full of supplies to help out. Is this country too proud to accept help from another country when we are in need on our own soil? I know how long it has taken for the Carolinas to recover from Hurricane Floyd and can only imagine how long it will take for the Gulf Coast to recover. I do think the Gulf Coast states will have the added benefit of being tourist destinations and think their economies will improve much faster than that in the Carolinas.

Edit: I just heard on the news that we are now allowing planes to arrive in Little Rock with supplies. Apparently we have received supplies from 95 (?) countries.