New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin shanghaied; Rep. Betty Brown among group

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, his wife, and other members of his group have been detained in China. Nagin had reportedly been on an airline flight with another person who was later found to have the swine flu. Chinese officials are reportedly anxious to release Nagin and his party, as top meteorologists in Beijing continue to watch a violent offshore weather system carefully. The storm has apparently made a 180 degree turn and is now heading straight for the mainland.

Previously unreported, however, is the fact that Texas state representative Betty Brown, who was traveling with Nagin's group, has also been detained.

Crack reporters at Letters From Texas' Investigative Reporting Unit have exclusively been in contact via satellite phone with Representative Brown. She reports that she is being very well-treated by her Chinese hosts "Sam," "Fred," and "Bubba."

Mayor Nagin has reportedly been complimentary of Brown's participation during the economic outreach trip, at one point remarking, "you're doing a heckofa job, Brownie!"