All of us have gotten a fine glimpse into what happens when real trouble strikes.

I would like to believe that most of those stranded in New Orleans are good and decent folks. But in those first few post-Katrina days, who was running the show in those flooded streets? The looters. Where are the good and decent people? One would think they'd be hoping someone would stand up for their property if they weren't around.

Then there are the rumors flying around about fuel shortages. My little town ran out of gas in no time flat. The talk was that the suppliers were saying there wasn't any gas, and they didn't know when there would be any. This didn't stop the price from rising forty cents in about ninety minutes. I've heard that in some parts of my home-state of Georgia, prices rose over five bucks a gallon, even while those who are supposed to know — everyone from the distributors to the Governor — were saying there was no shortage of fuel.

Throwing gas on the fire, so to speak, are the voices of television media. They seem to be gleefully spreading the rumors of shortages. "Stay tuned for more information as we have it." It is a rule that bad news increases ratings.

So, then, we see that looters come in all shapes and sizes. Some wade through water and kick in store-fronts. Some wear suits and count money.

It is interesting to me that none of our good Rev. Politicians are rushing to New Orleans to provide moral leadership for those who are struggling to survive, much less standing as a beacon of strength against those who are struggling with stolen television sets presumably to be plugged into the alligators swimming by.

I have a great faith in humanity, as well as a deep and abiding respect for the apparent truth that there's a portion of humanity that isn't worth a lick. We've seen in the last few weeks how much more elevated Americans are than other "savage" people around the world. All of us know there are a great many people doing the difficult job of rescuing the stranded, but the coverage and the talk is about the few who are looting.

Where is the American backbone? Where is the leadership of those on the ground? Is it possible that there isn't any? How is it that there was no looting in New York after September 11th and there's widespread looting in New Orleans? I can't believe New Yorkers are any better or worse than those living in New Orleans. But I seem to remember the people of the street in New York making statements to the effect that "there will be no looting." Maybe the motivations are different when disaster is inflicted by nature instead of other humans.

When something larger happens, who will run the show? What will it take for good and decent people to stand to stop them? Is Katrina a wake-up call?

(Editor's Note: Join David Clark's "Simply America Conversations" discussion board at www.simplyamerica.org. You can also email David Clark at dclark@outofthesky.com, or write him at P.O. Box 148, Cochran, Ga. 31014.).