As I watched the satellite news channels on the unfolding human tragedy in New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina, I could not control the tears in my eyes. I just could not believe this was happening in the world's richest and most efficient nation.

Where were the government emergency outfits they talk so much about? And where were the 'responsible' corporate citizens - the Haliburtons and other giant contractors (no doubt, however, the disaster means good news for their business)?

Perhaps they were so busy preparing for the unpredictable terrorist attacks that they overlooked a possible worse-case scenario from a hurricane strike.

Perhaps they were so busy teaching other nations how to run their countries that they took their own efficiency for granted.

Then again, perhaps the response might have been different if the victims were more white than black or rich rather than poor.

The hypocrisy of it all.