The best publicity Houston could buy

Ten million dollars couldn't buy the kind of publicity Houston is getting by taking care of Hurricane Katrina's evacuees.

I throw the $10 million figure out because that's what I heard a Houston City Councilman say it might end up costing the city.

Maybe he's right, but just based on the reportage offered tonight on the Fox News Channel from Greta Van Susterern, you can't help but conclude Houston will be repaid 10 times over, if you believe in karma, like I do.

Really. I'm not kidding.

When the Super Bowl was held in Houston, the rah-rah Chamber of Commerce types kept harping on all the free, positive publicity it would yield the country's fourth largest city. While that indeed may have been true, I don't think it can compare to what's going on now, and what hopefully will continue going on.

Tonight, for instance, Van Susteren is reporting to the world that people taking refuge in the Astrodome are saying things like, "I want to live in Houston."

She's interviewing New Orleans people who are saying things like "Houston is on the map."

"We love Houston."

"They are taking care of business."

Said Van Susteren: "Texas should indeed take a bow."

She's absolutely gushing about Houston and Texas and the people who are helping.

Keep your eyes on the prize, everybody. Keep doing what you can.