New York Goes New Orleans

Political chatter was kept to a minimum at both events, with performers mostly sticking to the program: championing aid for New Orleans. But a few artists angrily denounced government officials for their slow response to Katrina's devastation. "I Wish New Orleans was dry and Washington was underwater," said Tom Waits. Bette Midler had even stronger words: "I got a letter from the Republican Party the other day. I wrote back, 'Go f**k yourself.'" She then added, "George Bush is a fan of mine -- he came to see me in the Seventies. His coke dealer brought him."

There was nothing but love for one former Oval Office resident, however: Bill Clinton's surprise appearances at both concerts were greeted with long standing ovations. He spoke of the urgent need to get money to the hurricane victims, and reminisced that "the first time I saw a building over two stories tall was in New Orleans, when I was three years old." He then introduced John Fogerty, who Clinton said "captured the soul of New Orleans," despite being born in Northern California.

What a way to raise money... Ha! Another question: Does anybody really believe that Clinton can remember seeing his first two story tall building in New Orleans when he was 3 years old??? It seems like with every crisis, somehow Clinton places himself there at one time...