As the shock of Hurricane Katrina's destruction wears off, it seems there are three types of news stories beginning to surface. Stories that focus on the good in people, stories that focus on the not-so-good in people and stories that showcase the magnanimous egomania that seems to run rampant in some people. Actor Sean Penn, apparently unable to tolerate the embarrassment of his failed rescue attempt, is now lashing out at anyone with a pulse.

Oprah Winfrey, not content to orate from her television pulpit, buzzed the skies of New Orleans before taking a boat ride through its flooded streets. These two are just two of the many celebrities rushing to grab their photo-ops before the last remaining citizens are spirited out of the area.

What in the holy hell do these high profile rubber-neckers think they're going to accomplish by roaming these ravaged neighborhoods? If they want to show their support, take a cue from Macy Gray and spend a few hours at a shelter passing out toilet paper and toothpaste. I sincerely believe that Winfrey and Penn care as much about this situation as the rest of the world and that they have been deeply moved by it but could they be a little less, oh...I don't know...in my face about it?

At least most of Hollywood has retained a modicum of dignity by not rushing to the scene just because they have the means to do so. That hasn't stopped most of them, however, from trumpeting about how much money they've donated for relief. I am not interested in hearing, to the penny, just how much some celebrity has given to their charity of choice because such self-aggrandizement smacks of insincerity. At least knowing that huge amounts of money are being poured into needy coffers takes a bit of the sting out of having to listen to such unmitigated boasting.

If such obnoxious behavior stopped at the Hollywood border, it would be easier to tolerate but unfortunately it seems to trickle down to the common folk as well. Over and over again this past week I've listened to or read about people giving generously of their time, money and resources, all the while making sure to tell anyone in a fifty mile radius all about it. Is it really so hard to give without expecting some sort of recognition in return?

I understand the desire to share what you're doing with friends and family but when a complete stranger wants to give me a total accounting of how they've spent their time and money "to help out," it really makes me want to ask: Are you doing it for them? Or are you doing it for yourself?