Well, I survived, as did most of Hattiesburg. We have water, but power is about two weeks away.

So I left.

And here's why:

Mayor DuPree went on MPB (Mississippi Public Broadcasting) and said: "We need law enforcement in Hattiesburg."

And then there's this story in the Hattiesburg American:

Hattiesburg struggles with looters

By Nikki Maute
Hattiesburg American staff writer

Police continue to deal with looting throughout storm-stricken Hattiesburg, Police Chief David Wynn said today.
Police have made several arrests for looting, Wynn said, and the problem “is increasing as the situation continues on.”

Wynn said he couldn’t say how many looting arrests police have made.

The chief said businesses being looted include party stores, grocery stores and “things of that nature.”

He declined to identify looted stores by name other than to say that the problem is all over the city. He said he was unaware of any houses being looted.

Wynn also said police plan to crack down on people who violate the dusk-to-dawn curfew. He said police likely will begin issuing citations to people caught out after dark.

“What we have been doing is trying to be patient because of lack of means of getting the word out,” Wynn said. “We are trying to be patient with them. That’s wearing thin.”

Gee, why would that be, Chief Wynn? Why would there be looters in Hattiesburg and an ineffectual police force? Could it be that all of the experienced officers left after you arrived and started cutting corners and making corrupt deals with criminals? Why did Major Danny Rigel retire from the Hattiesburg Police Department just in time to run for Sheriff in Lamar County and win?

Why are all of your officers incredibly young? Why are they so poorly paid?

Hattiesburg is coming apart at the seams. Today, I saw a number of economy cars with illegally tinted windows on dubs driving through my largely white, young, professional residential neighborhood. The people in those cars were slowing down by houses that didn't have anyone visible around them.

Could these be potential looters? Where are the police? Why is there only traffic control at one, repeat, one intersection in the entire damn city?

Anyway, I got out, because I'm running low on ammo. Next time, I'm going to be stocked up. And I know about the section of Mississippi law that protects property owners who set up spring guns on their homesteads, Chief Wynn.

That's right, gentle readers, I left my castle because I felt unsafe there. That will never happen again. But we in Hattiesburg have only ourselves to blame. For electing Johnny DuPree. For re-electing him after he hired Chief Wynn. For the deplorable state of the city as a whole.

And since I'm leaving, I'm confident none of it will change.

Anyway, I cut and ran like a coward. I only had five rounds for the .30-30, and electricity is at least a week away. And, of course, I'm insured.

It's been a busy few weeks for me, and it just got busier this weekend.

Last weekend I painted my kitchen. Yesterday I painted my living room. Today, I've been preparing for the hurricane.

Keep praying, folks. We're gonna need it.

And if you have HBO, watch Rome tonight. I will be doing that myself.