So there’s this list of terrorists, right? You can get it from the government. In fact, you’re really supposed to get it from the government, because anyone who does any business with anyone on the list gets a big-ass fine.

So — you need a loan? Mortgage? Apartment? Car? Exercise equipment? You better hope your name ain’t on that list. Or that your name isn’t slightly similar to a name on that list. Or that your name isn’t “Hussein” or “Muhammed.” Because you gonna get screwed.

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• House will pass $10.5b relief package for the Gulf Coast; officials on the ground complain about the administration’s response. Head of emergency management in New Orleans: “This is a national emergency. This is a national disgrace. . . We can send massive amounts of aid to tsunami victims, but we can’t bail out the city of New Orleans.” [WP, WP, USAT]
• Experts blame “late evacuation order and insufficient emergency shelter.” New Orleans Police Superintendent: “We’re in our fifth day and adequate help to quell the situation has not arrived yet.” [NYT, WP, WT]
• Katrina shows government was unprepared for energy crisis. Bush: “Americans should be prudent in their use of energy. Don’t buy gas if you don’t need it.” [WSJ, WP]
• Democrats say Bush’s decision to underfund levee fortification left New Orleans vulnerable. McClellan: “Flood control has been a priority of this administration from Day One. This is not a time for finger-pointing or playing politics.” [WP, NYT]
• Al Qaeda takes credit for London bombings in video broadcast by Al Jazeera; group vows more attacks will come. Suspected bomber: “We are at war, and I am a soldier and now you too will taste the reality of this situation.” [NYT, WP]
• Gas prices top $6 a gallon in some areas. [USAT]

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