I have seen on the "Pood Follies" thread and have heard in person numerous objections to hurricane-related humor.

Pood's remark was not taking a shot at hurricane victims...it was making an icebreaking remark that those assembled could understand without explanation. I'm quite sure that he was glad to be somewhere that he didn't have to worry about hurricanes. It must be nice to get out of the morass that is Hattiesburg.

Hurricane-related humor is an acceptable way for many to deal with the aftermath of Katrina. It's a way to deal with dramatic increases in traffic, gas shortages, fake gas shortages, no power, tainted water, and general frustration. Unacceptable ways of dealing with these situations are through misdirected anger (such as that directed at other human beings...like I witnessed today at a grocery store).

I heard a statement the other day that "70% of the USM faculty was unaffected" by Katrina. What a load of BS. 100% of the faculty were affected. In the very least, all USM faculty are living in the post-Katrina environment with poorly stocked stores, fears about gas, extra work from displaced students' late enrollment, and generally having to listen to those colleagues whose Katrina experiences are "worse than yours."

Next time you think that somebody is making light of Katrina, just remember that person may have had many trees on (or through the roof of) his or her home. That person may have displaced family members staying with him or her. That person may have gone two weeks without power or potable water. Perhaps a little joke is what keeps that person sane.

The idea that certain people have a corner on the Katrina misery market is ridiculous, as is the idea that there is no place for humor in the wake of the disaster. I agree that joking about deaths is uncalled for, and that other references may be in poor taste; however, the righteous indignation I have experienced is BS, pure and simple.