So while the politically-connected among the FEMA employees try and figure out whether or not they'll still get their Direct Deposit and whether or not the old GAO per diem rates are still applicable for New Orleans before getting off their asses, some of the citizens down there are doing something:

Guy T. Williams is usually to be found behind his desk downtown, where he is the president of the Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Company. But nothing is usual in New Orleans, and on Wednesday Mr. Williams was paddling his canoe in a submerged residential area between downtown and the overflowing Lake Pontchartrain, exploring flooded homes not yet reached by rescue teams.

He found a seven-story apartment complex with 170 people, including someone blind, another with no legs, a third with a heart ailment, and a small child. He gave the list and directions to members of a Texas task force working with the relief effort.

A volunteer citizen navy with its own flotilla responded Wednesday to calls for help.
...
Another volunteer was Chester Huvall Jr., a truck driver from New Iberia, La., who said he rushed here with his 16-foot aluminum boat "to answer prayers." He said he was determined to rescue someone.
...
He gazed at passing police and sheriff's boats packed with survivors and said, almost enviously: "Look at all the people they rescued. Why can't I be doing that?

Well, once again, regular Americans '1' - 1600 Crew '0'. Just what's to be expected...