If you haven't heard it lately - or ever, I'd encourage everyone to take the time this week to listen This American Life's After the Flood series of stories as an antidote to all the political spin, counterspin and outright lies that will be put forth in the news this weel to justify the continuing inept response to the devestation caused by Hurrican Katrina.

These first person narratives of storm survivors, woven together with narration and questions from host Ira Flato originally aired one year ago, in the aftermath of Katrina's landfall and the chaos that followed.

Every American should listen to this piece, a crushing indictment of the federal and state response to the diaster, woven from first person narratives. A historical document like this is the anti-punditry - there are no talking points, no snide ironic distance, no taking sides over substance...just truth.

These are real people, and listening to their stories compels the listener, not only to a deeper understanding of what happened in that aweful week last year on the gulf coast, but of what is still happening today.

Please do give a listen. If the stories don't move you - you're not human.

**We now return to our regluarly scheduled broadcast**

-- MDT