Louisiana elected officials see for themselves...

AP Photo/Alex Branden

Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco talks with former residents as members of the Louisiana Legislature are given a tour of the Lower Ninth Ward to see the damage from Hurricane Katrina.

Blanco upended tradition on the opening day of a special legislative session for hurricane recovery, arranging a bus tour of devastated areas and scheduling her opening speech at the New Orleans Convention Center instead of the Capitol in Baton Rouge.

Now, the next challenge will be to get members of the U.S. House of Representatives to come down and see the devastation. Having visited post-Katrina New Orleans I can say that every public official in a position to help should see for themselves.

Update

According to Reuters, Mayor Nagin way ask foreign countries for aid in rebuilding New Orleans.