New Orleans and the myths

After the Katrina hurricane all the rumors hit us over the head. Gangs were shooting at rescue workers, murders were committed in the stadium.
Even a rumor of infants being raped.

Now in the light of Louisiana authorities investigation it all turned out to be untrue, there was no raping, killing or shooting at rescue workers and helicopters, of course all this has been very quiet in the European media, only CNN and here in Australia has there been updates that all these stories that were spread were untrue.
Why did the rumors start? They were flying around in NO as well, rescue workers for many days did not venture in to some areas of the city, and when they finally did they had armed guards escorting them. One can wonder as to the purpose of these amours.
The European press licked it up though, the anti US Sentiment spreading more, quotes to the like of "Americans are animals" people actually rejoicing as to the uncivilized ways of the Americans and scornfully remarked on how the Thai and Indonesian people helped everyone and the Americans shoot. Why were we so ready to believe? Why haven't anyone so far apologized?

I wonder if we will see anyone actually apologize for this in the end, it seems the Americans are not as horrible as people wanted to believe, it turns out they are humans just like us.

Sincerely
Mr Silence Dogood