When a post-Katrina looter was confronted and asked why, the response, according to Douglas Brinkley, was, "This is our time." Ray Nagin yesterday on reconstructing New Orleans with federal money: ''This is our shot. This is our time."

Probably just a coincidence. Here's more Ray-speak yesterday, from an AP story titled "Nagin aims to mend divisions."

''Business people are predators, and if the economic opportunities are here, they're going to stay. If not, they're going to leave," said Nagin, in his now famous vernacular style. ''I don't worry about that stuff. I think there's enough interest around the country that we're going to attract top businesses. . . . God bless them. I hope they stay, but if they don't, I'll send them a postcard."

Now that's a whole new kind of division mending.