Now to the continuing scandal over the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The New York Times reports that the federal government has moved hundreds of thousands of evacuees from Hurricane Katrina into hotel rooms at a cost of about $11 million a night. This, the paper says, is part of the effort to meet President Bush’s mid-October deadline to clear out shelters, The plan has drawn fire from local officials and some members of Congress. As we have reported on Democracy Now!, there are tens of thousands of livable, vacant apartments in New Orleans that remain empty. To date, more than 22,000 people remain in shelters in 14 states. Hotel costs are expected to grow to as much as $425 million by Oct. 24. On average, the hotel rooms cost taxpayers $59 a night. Atlanta’s mayor, Shirley Franklin said the plan is “Deplorable. Disappointing. Outrageous. The federal response has just been unacceptable. It is like talking to a brick wall.” Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts said, “The administration’s policy is incoherent and socially seriously flawed.”