...but you can't fool people who care. 

The poor continue to be Katrina's victims

December 20, 2005

I appreciate the Dec. 18 article "Katrina Killed Across Class Lines" for its thoughtful analysis of how Hurricane Katrina did not discriminate in its destruction.

However, the bigger class issues lie in the treatment of the refugees in the aftermath of Katrina and the severely delayed response time of the government in providing relief to the poorer, disadvantaged, taxpaying citizens of this very wealthy country.

SEYI ALABA
Long Beach

Sunday's front-page article failed to convince me that rich and poor were affected equally.

The median income level for the so-called rich was reported to be a nudge above $27,000. While the cost of living is probably less there than here, would anyone seriously consider $27,000 to be rolling in the money?

Those left floundering in the chaotic days and weeks after the hurricane were overwhelmingly poor and people of color — those without the resources to flee before or after the storm. Shame on The Times for trying to soft-pedal the truth about class and racism in this country.

JIM RHYNE
Los Angeles