I really hated to resurrect this, but it's not that old, and I actually have updates on both items (and I'm feeling a little more rational today then when originally posted).
Red Cross: The Slidell location is actually closing today (I think it's today) because the need has been served! They've opened up others with the same approach, and they're getting people helped. They've even got a center opened up in Orleans Parish that will 'move' around to serve those who don't have access to transportation. It really was a case where the Red Cross just hadn't had to deal with this large of a number of people in the past, and didn't have procedures set up to deal with it. It did not help, at all, that there were those that weren't eligible trying to get money, so I think that really slows down assistance when you have to have huge checks and balances in the system.
Worker Situation: Well, Jesse Jackson showed up yesterday with about 200 workers, and a large number of them were NOT displaced residents. He had to scale back his numbers because of the housing situation, but it doesn't appear that HE tried to do ANYTHING to actually find New Orleans residents to bring back! Yes, it's a logistical headache, but at least for the first sweep, PLEASE don't be a hypocrite.
Here's a link to an article about his work.