“To a degree. We as Americans have very short memories. All these issues and events, like al-Zarqawi's death, that are coming up right now are taking up a lot of media.”

— Denise Stone, associate professor, Lawrence

“I don't think they've forgotten. I just don't think they are considering how serious it still is. I think they have gone back to worrying about their own problems because it doesn't really affect them the way it does the people in New Orleans.”

— Bryan May, Missouri Western State University freshman, St. Joseph, Mo.

“I think they have, but not everyone. I think Americans can be quick to forget. It's a choice each individual can make; to listen to the information that is available or ignore it.”

— Jessica Schickler, teacher, Lenexa

“I don't think so because of all the big hurricanes that we've been having lately and because of global warming we'll be having even bigger ones. If people are forgetting, they shouldn't be.”

— Katie Roach, Kansas University graduate student, Lawrence