It's not just the left criticizing President Bush over his belated response to the Katrina catastrophe, it's also those that used to praise him:

AS THE EXTENT of Hurricane Katrinas devastation became clearer on Tuesday millions without power, tens of thousands homeless, a death toll unknowable because rescue crews cant reach some regions President Bush carried on with his plans to speak in San Diego, as if nothing important had happened the day before. Katrina already is measured as one of the worst storms in American history. And yet, President Bush decided that his plans to commemorate the 60th anniversary of VJ Day with a speech were more pressing than responding to the carnage.

A better leader would have flown straight to the disaster zone and announced the immediate mobilization of every available resource to rescue the stranded, find and bury the dead, and keep the survivors fed, clothed, sheltered and free of disease.

The Governor of Lousiana has ordered a mandatory evacuation of the city in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. 475 buses are en route to transport up to 25, 000 people from the Superdome to the Astrodome.

Blanco said she wanted the Superdome - which had become a shelter of last resort for about 20,000 people - evacuated within two days, along with other gathering points for storm refugees. The situation inside the dank and sweltering Superdome was becoming desperate: The water was rising, the air conditioning was out, toilets were broken, and tempers were rising.

A little bit of history:

The Big Easy

In the land of spicy music and melodic foods - better known as New Orleans - the pursuit of good times is not merely a diversion, but a way of life. From its beginning in 1718 as a French real estate scam, and centuries of settlement by other ethnic cultures, the unlikely city built in the midst of a swamp has remained tenaciously French in style and outlook. In spite of an early history filled with hurricanes, floods and fires, political upheavals and plagues of yellow fever, the French joie de vivre and love of celebrating endured and is still part of the lifestyle.

Via Crooks and Liars and George .

While millions of Americans have lost their homes or lives in the devastation wrought by hurricane Katrina, Bush not only goes about business as usual, he plays the guitar.

He couldn't even do a ballad? Not even, While My Guitar Gently Weeps? Jeez...

posted by Last Night in Little Rock

I heard this on Air America an hour ago, and I had to find it myself, and here it is: While we were pouring money into the War in Iraq, we were funding it in part by taking money from disaster preparedness. Since 2003, FEMA gave no money to Orleans and Jefferson Parishes in Louisiana, even though it recognized the flooding risks from a hurricane or levee breach as reported here about four hours ago.

Maestri [the local EM director] is still awaiting word from FEMA officials as to why Louisiana, despite being called the "floodplain of the nation" in a 2002 FEMA report, received no disaster mitigation grant money from FEMA in 2003 ("Homeland Insecurity," Sept. 28). Maestri says the rejection left emergency officials around the state "flabbergasted."

Indeed, the June 6th edition of New Orleans CityBusiness reported that the 2006 federal budget would cut another $71M from the Corps of Engineers budget used to protect New Orleans from flooding.

And that is on top of the previous failures to appropriate during Bush's oil war. I guess that cut isn't going to happen now.

This is incredible:

40,000-50,000 people in the superdome, including seriously injured people, and evacuees from the Hospitals. There are no running water or sewage facilities -- and no power. Temperatures are in the 90's within the building

One man just committed suicide by jumping. 'Unrest' is growing within the superdome - and their are there are now military as well civilian police on the scene. There are now several; major fires in view of city. There is evidently a fair amount of oil and gas floating on the flood waters.

Water is still rising and the Mayor is just now being evacuated by helicopter as City hall is now surrounded by water that can only be reached by small boat, water is about 3 feet deep at the steps of City Hall. 80% of New Orleans is totally submerged now, and will likely become 100% submerged tonight.

President Bush is cutting his vacation short by two days to monitor the hurricane damage...from Washington. Americablog says it's too little too late, but here's the real complaint.

Martial law has been imposed in New Orleans:

New Orleans CBS affiliate WWL-TV is reporting that martial law has been declared in New Orleans and Jefferson Parish after levee breaks caused major flooding in the city Tuesday morning, sending waves of water through the downtown and French Quarter. Mayor Ray Nagin is estimating that 80% of the city has been flooded. WWL-TV provides continuing updates on its Katrina Blog.

12:02 PM ET - WWL-TV says that a break in 17th Street Canal Levee is 200 feet wide and water from it is gradually inundating the city.

12:16 PM ET - WWL-TV reports that martial law is now in effect in Plaquemines Parish southwest of New Orleans, where 60% of homes are said to be flooded; persons found on the streets there will be arrested. WWL-TV is broadcasting live video via KHOU in Houston. Some looting has begun in New Orleans, according to AP.

[hat tip Patriot Daily] More on martial law here.

Update: New Orleans has been spared a direct hit by the most damaging part of the hurricane. There was still plenty of damage though.

Red Cross Online Donation Form or call 1-800-HELP-Now. Use the Red Cross, they know what they're doing.

I've been writing about Katrina and New Orleans since yesterday. I'm glued to the tv. Part of it is that New Orleans is one of my favorite cities in America. I'm there at least two times a year, usually for legal meetings - it's a favorite of just about every organization I belong to - but also because for more than 20 years I have gone there just for weekend jaunts and it never disappoints. I have stayed with friends on Lake Ponchetrain as well as in the hotels. The restaurants, art galleries, shopping, local historical sites, the beignets, the bars, the music venues, Mardi Gras, the Jazz Festival, even the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals where I've argued cases, are an indelible part of my memories.

Here's a place for your thoughts on New Orleans, your memories and your best wishes for those imperiled by this disaster.

Kudos to:

• Office Depot (my favorite office supply store) which has already pledged $1 million to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.

• Anheiser-Busch is shipping 300,000 cans of water.

If you want to help, do so through the Red Cross. Send money, not goods. Here's the donation link, or call 1-800-HELP-NOW

Official description of possible damage:

Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks...perhaps longer. At least one half of well constructed homes will have roof and wall failure. All gabled roofs will fail...leaving those homes severely damaged or destroyed.

The majority of industrial buildings will become non functional. Partial to complete wall and roof failure is expected. All wood framed low rising apartment buildings will be destroyed. Concrete block low rise apartments will sustain major damage...including some wall and roof failure.

High rise office and apartment buildings will sway dangerously...a few to the point of total collapse. All windows will blow out.

Three nursing home patients in New Orleans died while being evacuated:

Three residents of a New Orleans nursing home fleeing Hurricane Katrina aboard a school bus died during an evacuation to a Baton Rouge church Sunday, authorities said.

The Times Picayune is running a news blog here. The paper will be reporting throughout the storm from a hurricane bunker on the third floor of the building: