Even as federal aid and troops are pouring into New Orleans to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina, the hard-to-reach rural communities around the city have received little -- if any -- assistance from federal agencies, and they are straining to provide for their residents and clean up.
"The federal people don't have a clue," said U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon, a Democrat who represents southeastern Louisiana. "They know where New Orleans is, period."