As you've almost certainly heard, today will see a very pared down version of the RNC. It is, as you've almost certainly heard, a somber gesture of respect for those currently displaced by Hurricane Gustav.

Here's what we've just learned: the brunt of Gustav is by-passing New Orleans and causing less damage than expected. Residents might be able to return home as early as Wednesday.

What that means for the convention, of course, remains to be seen—and that, of course, is of far less importance than what it means to the people of the Louisiana area.