In this time of disaster, when thousands are still without homes, electrical power or the financial means to rebuild their lives, the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book is landing on the doorsteps of wealthy families everywhere.

The Christmas Book is full of gadgets and gizmos, ranging from a $15 paperweight to a $3.5 million “skycar” that can drive or fly. Among the approximately 700 gifts are also a special edition Neiman Marcus Lexus and a child-sized railroad.

In an article in The Dallas Morning News, the manager of the Dallas Neiman Marcus said the catalog was about light-heartedness and holiday spirit.

Now, Ed Board is all about jolly old St. Nick, roasting chestnuts and getting into the Christmas spirit. Considering the circumstances, however, we would like to point out that there are more important things than whimsy at the moment. Though September might be a bit early to think of the holiday season, shouldn’t this Christmas be a time of giving?

Though the aftermath of the hurricane’s devastation will fade into the background as other events and catastrophes arrive, the evacuees who are scattered across the country will still be struggling to survive.

The victims of Hurricane Katrina have now been joined by the victims of Hurricane Rita, and they still need our help. Their children aren’t expecting a $200,000 railroad – many of them still don’t have a secure roof over their heads. The men and women who have been displaced by the hurricanes continue to need clothing, food, and other necessities of life. Some of them are still wondering if they will be reunited with missing family members. They won’t be driving a special Lexus around the streets of New Orleans or Port Arthur.

Ed Board doesn’t mean to denigrate anyone’s contribution to the hurricane relief effort. One of the “gifts” in the Neiman Marcus catalog is an expensive private concert by Sir Elton John, and the money from the purchase goes to an AIDS foundation.

Ed Board also recognizes that the Neiman Marcus chain recently donated hundreds of items for a discount sale that benefited Katrina victims.

However, Ed Board finds the extravagant gifts in the catalog absurd and insensitive in light of the national crisis caused by the hurricanes.

Ed Board would like to encourage people to put aside their own wants (and the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book) and aid those who will continue to need help well into the future.