Crescent City Comeback

Want Greta's blog delivered directly to your e-mail box? Click here to sign up!

Yes, we're en route to New Orleans... on an early flight. We have been to New Orleans many times since Hurricane Katrina first slammed the Gulf Coast and I am anxious to see if there is any progress. Our last trip was Dec. 19 with Senators Clinton and Landrieu (a bus trip), which is a significant amount of time ago and thus a significant opportunity to make progress. But is there? We will find out.

And yes, New Orleans is NOT the only place that got hit. Many, many, many, many communities got hit and still are in great need of help. And, of course, let's not forget communities like Houston that jumped up to help and now have a struggling infrastructure because of the huge number of people who now make Houston their home.

I am curious what you think about the controversy over ports — if you think I am talking about liquor or a particular side of a ship, skip answering this question. You should wait for another question on another day to answer. This one just isn't for you. (As an aside, New Orleans is one of the six ports in question.)

Now for some e-mails:

E-mail No. 1

Hi Greta,
What ever happened to the girl journalist [Jill Carroll] who was kidnapped and was going to be executed. I know they didn't, did they let her go?
Thanks,
Julie

ANSWER: The deadline has passed, but no word. We check often and don't know if it would help or hurt to do a segment on it. FOX News reaches around the world. What do you think? Does it help or hurt?

E-mail No. 2

Greta,
I received this today and thought of you under your desk trying to fix your computer: For all of us who feel only the deepest love and affection for the way computers have enhanced our lives, read on.
At a recent computer expo, Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated, "If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25.00 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon." In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release stating: If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics (and I just love this part): 1) For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day. 2) Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car. 3) Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this. 4) Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine. 5) Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive — but would run on only five percent of the roads. 6) The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single "This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation" warning light. 7) The airbag system would ask, "Are you sure?" before deploying. 8) Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna. 9) Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car. 10) You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.

E-mail No. 3

Hi Greta,
A few weeks ago I was as frustrated with my computer as you were. Couldn't get an Internet connection. Turned out while dusting I accidentally turned off the power on the wireless router. All the while I was getting "wireless connection is excellent" on my desktop. Husband noticed all the lights weren't blinking on the router. Did I feel stupid? Sure.
Take care,
Marie

ANSWER: The computer expert came to my house yesterday and fixed my problem. I asked, "What was wrong with it?" He said, "For some reason, this cable was plugged in over here" — pointing to another spot on the router. I then said, "Maybe it happened when I was trying to fix the problem." (Maybe?)

E-mail No. 4

Hi Greta!
I think that where ever the civil suit goes that Beth and Dave filed, it sure is keeping it out there for Natalee [Holloway] and that's a good thing! Plus I'm sure it did them good to have those guys over a barrel (so to speak) for a change. I'm praying for the folks in Orlando and hope they get answers about Jennifer [Kesse] as well. Thanks for the great work you always do and have to tell you the outfit you had on last night was super sharp!
HCA
Statesboro, GA
P.S.: There's a young man missing just south of here in this area. The son of a former representative, last name Streat, I believe. Wishing you happy days!

E-mail No. 5

I keep hearing about New Orleans and what a hard time they are having and wanting the government to give them money to rebuild. I have one question, I would like answered. What happened to all the money people across America and other parts of the world gave? The best I remember it was millions of dollars. That money was donated to help people rebuild and start over, so where did it go?
Thanks,
Helen

E-mail No. 6 — These next e-mails respond to E-mail No. 7 in Wednesday's blog:

Greta,
Have not written in a while but could not resist the e-mail from poor ole Stewart. Do we smell sour grapes? Don't know what happened with the ex wife/wives but it sure has soured him on women. Does he not realize that the two FOX News shows that are on before you are hosted by males? Perhaps he should go to bed before your show goes on or — heaven forbid — use his remote control.
Gloria Dotson
Danville, AL

E-mail No. 7

Charming Stuart Chase sounds like a candidate for Narcotics Anonymous. I know "OTR" is not a dating service, but maybe you could hook Chase up with the author of E-mail No. 10. They sound like an ideal pair!
Freaks abound!
Michelle
Dallas, TX

E-mail No. 8

Greta,
Maybe Stewart should consider getting an education! Have a good evening!
Shelly
Overland Park, KS

E-mail No. 9

Greta,
That was a hysterical email (E-mail No. 7). Seems as though he got up on the wrong side of the bed and is a little crabby! Also a tad groggy, because his spelling needs much improvement.
Thanks,
Robin D.
AK

E-mail No. 10

I have a feeling Stewart's ending of "Take care" is a fib. No wonder he's single. He also needs to learn to spell.
Trudy
OK

E-mail No. 11

"It a female agenda with no world news. I forgot you're a woman with emotions and chemical inbalances. (sic)... I should apologize, but I have no reason too anymore. I'm not married."
Gee, there's a surprise.
Take care,
Kyra
Carrollton, TX

E-mail No. 12

Hi Greta,
In response to E-mail No. 7 from 2/22/06: He should learn how to spell before he starts insulting your intelligence... perhaps he should go back to 1st grade and work on his grammar and maybe an education will follow. It makes me laugh how ignorant some people can be. The e-mails on your blog never cease to crack me up!
Meghann

E-mail No. 13

Re: E-mail No. 7 from 2/22:
Maybe you should ask this guy what he's been smoking. He sounds like a real idiot — all he has to do is change the channel. Your show is on at a perfect time for me (9 p.m. Central). Dinner is over, the dogs are in the laying around mood and my hubby is glued to some sports show. I hit the sofa, relax and enjoy your hour.
Linda

E-mail No. 14

Well, it is quite obvious to me that this guy isn't the brightest bulb in the room. Did he have a grade-school child type the e-mail for him — that would at least offer some explanation on all the errors. Some people just shouldn't be allowed to do anything without some sort of supervision. And this guy isn't married? Boy, what a shocker! Love your show!
Kathy
Chandler, AZ

E-mail No. 15

To the Office of Greta Van Susteren,
I often tune into your show via cable, and I have a question for you and your staff. I am concerned about what appears to be a pandemic of missing women in this country. I am wondering if you could address the causes of such a widespread phenomenon, especially young women.
Recently a work associate of mine, named Nici Pietz, was abducted and murdered near the city of Seattle and there are no clues as to the homicide.
I appreciate the nitty-gritty of your shows, and of course the Holloway case took place outside the U.S. However, it seems statistically much higher in the U.S. than elsewhere that women are randomly abducted.
I would be interested in a show that discussed the inordinate violence towards women and its causes.
Thank you,
Rebecca Conrad
Bellingham, WA

ANSWER: It is stunning how many missing women, men and children there are in this country. Every day I get e-mails from family members asking for help. We try and help many (not just by doing segments on TV, but making calls, etc.). The number of missing is staggering. I think it seems like something new only because attention is being given the topic. I suspect this has been a problem for a long time.

E-mail No. 16

Greta,
After reading what other e-mailers said in response to your computer problems, I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents' worth. When our son comes home, we immediately hit him with all our computer problems; and after he "fixes" them, he always gives us a lecture about being more "computer proficient." My reply? "Boy, don't you ever forget that I taught you how to tie your shoes!"
Good shows lately!
Edith Greer
Roanoke, VA

Finally, some articles that caught my attention:

Article No. 1

Professor's book charts hostile trends in lawyer jokes

Article No. 2

Urine samples taken from Wis. probation office

Article No. 3

Pesci will not be prosecuted in alleged punching case

Article No. 4

Chief Nazi prosecutor firm on Demjanjuk deportation

Article No. 5

Governor, Feinstein warn fast action needed on Sacramento levees

Article No. 6

Can you believe it? He is only 13 years old! Read on:

Diabetic violin prodigy endures painful finger pricks and practice

Send your thoughts and comments to: ontherecord@foxnews.com

Watch "On the Record" weeknights at 10 p.m. ET