My heart and prayers pour out to those who have been hit by the flooding and storm in the south.  It is a shock to hear and see the devastation and havoc that Katrina has caused in New Orleans and the gulf states.  

I have read that although gas is available prices are soaring at the pumps (after this will the prices go down---I seriously doubt it!).  Even way out here in Idaho, it was $2.65 a gallon yesterday when I drove to work (and it had just increased).  That very same evening when my wife filed up our SUV 
it was $2.85 at our pump.  Across the street it was $3.09 a gallon.

Now, I'm just one lone and angry citizen who protest the price-gouging from this disaster, and believe that the oil companies and industry are making a killing off this sad time in our history. [NOTE: Another story that is off the subject I will not get into].  However, even President ". . . Bush warned against price-gouging of gasoline in the storm's aftermath and condemned rampant looting."   

I am concerned of the impact that Katrina is going to have on museums, and not just in the south.  Many smaller museum rely on tourist who travel to their locations by SUVs, motor homes, campers and even standard cars, and it is now taking a large chunk of change for them to fill up at the pump.  Not to mention, visitors who come to your area by the airlines, bus, etc.  Transportation cost are going to rise.  Food prices are going to rise * it will be a trickle-down effect, with the outcome surely a factor in changing people's minds about taking that long trip by car to visit museums.  My wife and I are already changing our vacation plans and/or trying to get low airfare deals now before prices start to climb.  

[Am I on my "doomsday" soap box!  Oh, gracious!]  But, but * and more but.....maybe, just
maybe, I am wrong.  But, unless gas prices start dropping after the shock of Katrina has decreased, by the next "tourist" season our economy is going to be bad shape.  Folks * prepare for low attendance.  

What can be done?  Museums are going to have to brainstorm, sharpen their fund-raising, and develop new programs to attract visitors after the wake of Katrina's havoc.

John
Boise, ID

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