I hope that this administration will have a change of heart to see the importance of protecting south Louisiana, not just for oil-and-gas production and seafood, but for people.

Great joy, especially after a sudden change of circumstances, is apt to be silent, and dwells rather in the heart than on the tongue

[Agent Larry Kelly , who has been optimistic a deal will get done, has all but given up hope now.] It's difficult for me to speculate because of what's happening, but I would say it's going to be difficult to get a deal done after the proposal the NHL put on the table (Wednesday), ... There were things in that offer that were just not necessary. I'm really disappointed with what happened. I really believe that there's a deal there to be done and I've been the eternal optimist through all of this. That offer left me disappointed and I really don't think there's much in the way of hope.

The last thing I wrote to a friend was that I hope all the things we've done will change the laws in Virginia so we can go home again. This just isn't home. I'm not sure it ever will be.

We hope that everyone involved will understand that this change is being made in response to the critical situation in the Middle East and will help us make these changes work.

We hope that this week there will be a major change in commitments and contributions.