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Don't people get it? E-mail is dangerous, especially if you dash it off without thinking about where it's going. A few politicos, including former FEMA director Michael Brown, learned their lesson last week when careless office repartee became national must-reads.

Aug. 31, 2005, 12:24 p.m. MICHAEL BROWN, responding to the FEMA official in New Orleans who informed him that evacuees had no food and the city was near chaos: "Thanks for update. Anything specific I need to do or tweak?"

Sept. 4, 2005, 10:17 a.m. FEMA's press secretary to BROWN after he appeared alongside George W. Bush at a post-Katrina press conference: "Please roll up the sleeves of your shirt ... all shirts. Even the President rolled his sleeves to just below the elbow ... you look more hard-working ... ROLL UP THE SLEEVES!"

June 20, 2002, 10:15 a.m. A lobbyist to his co-worker Tony Rudy, former chief of staff for Texas Congressman TOM DELAY, on their boss Jack Abramoff presumably agreeing to funnel corporate donations to DeLay via a charity: "I'm sensing shadiness. I'll stop asking. I'll break it up over the various requests to a total of $25K." Rudy replies: "Your senses are good."

Oct. 26, 2005, 12:04 p.m. Cheryl Long, aide to Kentucky state representative DAVID OSBORNE, mistakenly sending a constituent comments she meant to forward to her boss concerning the voter's push for Osborne to support gay rights: "Seriously, these people really can get out of hand! ... This particular group is much worse than pro-lifers! If you reply to Ms. Amanda, make sure you delete my e-mail! ;-)"

Oct. 26, 2005, 3:09 p.m. After trying to call back the message at 12:06 p.m., Long apologizes: "Recognizing that all [constituents] have a different political agenda, viewpoint, and belief system, [legislators] have to be very careful in their response."