Before hurricane Katrina ravaged the city in 2005, New Orleans had one of the worst performing public school districts in the nation.But then something amazing happened. In the wake of Katrina, education reformers decided to seize the opportunity and start fresh with a system based on choice.

Embattled U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) ended weeks of dodging yesterday, taking to TV to insist he’s in the dark about the gone-missing money from a Hurricane Katrina charity fund he championed.

Crisis makes strange bed fellows. That’s one way to view President Obama’s request for Presidents Clinton and George W, Bush to lead relief efforts.