gulf coast region's forgotten

as much as everyone likes to forget that florida is part of the gulf coast region- along with alabama and mississippi- it is. my friend has lived there for most of her life and my in-laws recently moved there. indeed, i did a stretch there for about 10 years when i was a kid. i think it must be easier to live there when you are a kid because then you don't mind the heat and humidity. nevertheless, i think most people want to block florida out of their mind because of the 2000 voting debacle starring katherine harris and jeb 'i'll be president next' bush. putting that all aside, you have to feel sorry for the residents. my husband's aunt is only now getting her home rebuilt after 4 or 5 hurricanes ago. you know the big one that ripped through and left a big swath across the lower part of the state? charley and frances were big names as they ripped through port charlotte. well, it seems that unless you have your own money- you can just move. no one hears that the hurricane money in florida is as dry as the desert in texas. hey, self sufficiency folks- if you are poor and homeless- well hey- tough luck. the folks in palm springs need the money worse.