Keeping the priorities straight...

Representative Roy Blunt of Missouri, the Republican whip, said it would be a mistake to abandon efforts to reduce the estate tax, arguing that was precisely what the economy needed to grow. But he said he thought the White House might reconsider what it wanted this fall.

"I think the administration needs to be thinking about what their agenda is for the fall," he said. "And I'm sure there will be some re-evaluation."

- New York Times, September 4th, 2005.

Given the extent and type of damage inflicted upon the Gulf Coast it is unclear how ensuring the cutting of the estate tax is likely to help the devastated communities.

- Murphy