Everyone seems to always get in an uproar about New Orleans during hurricane season. I am here to tell you there is much more to the great state of Louisiana than one city. In northeast Louisiana (where these pictures were taken), we are a farming area. The devastation caused by Gustav has had Franklin Parish Louisiana declared a disaster area. No one evaculated to another city or town. As a community, we have drawn on each other as we start the repair process.

The people who were brought in from the New Orleans area have done nothing but complain as we tried to save our own during pouring rain and heavy winds. They say we have treated them inhumanely. We didn't provide them with the Ritz Carlton to stay in luxury. They have ridiculed our towns and the volunteers who have donated their time and efforts. Not one offered to help sandbag our place in the state. As we were going under in the wee hours of the morning, the refugees (for the most part) did nothing to help save us.

I ask you to take a moment to reflect on these pictures. Some of our people's jobs, homes, and lifestyles have recently been devastated. Our farmers worked 24 hours around the clock to try and harvest all they could before Gustav hit-- keep in mind we had already had several weeks of rain before the hurricane. We prayed to get all crops out of the fields. We prayed that God wouldn't give us more than we could handle.

We'll fix, repair, and rebuild. And, we'll do it in less time than metro New Orleans because none of us even thought about looting each others homes and businesses during this crisis.

We are Ouachita Parish, Richland Parish, Catahoula Parish, Franklin Parish, Concordia Parish, Tensas Parish, Lasalle Parish, and Madison Parish.

We are also part of the great state of Louisiana. Thanks for stopping by.