"Looterin"

[robivi3]

A friend of mine was New Orleans several years ago to buy property. The Real Estate agent refused to sell him property south of the lake ( he was telling me today) claiming that it was a disaster waiting to happen. At least someone was honest.

What amazes me is the lawlessness. We had problems in Homestead too. This looks worse, yet the element is in general the same that was making trouble during Andrew. One young individual when questioned by the News said "Ain't no PD so I be's looterin' ". Shooting at Choppers, setting fires, my gosh, we need someone with guts in authority to give a shoot to kill order. It won't happen but the death of afew and the willingness of the Government to use force might stop the violence. But of course the unwillingness to use force in other places means other cities would see riots as a result so I guess true force is out of the question.

Getting water and food can be seperated from TV's and Nikes. Need is need. In truth alot of the local heros aren't being shown precisely because they ain't "looterin" and "looterin" sadly is what gets the ratings. A lot of those residents are doing more than we think.

In truth I haven't been through New Orleans in years but the City aside from tourism must be a basic rathole.

Sorry if anyone's offended but I never looted and we had need, my neighbors didn't loot either, no one in my family has ever looted that I know of and I don't know that even in Andrew that I personally new any looters.

[WhenThePawn]

First, let me say there is no excuse for violence. Shooting at planes and one another and setting fires...absolutely awful.

As for looting, I think at a time like this people are desperate, have lost everything, and will take what they can get. Maybe they take the TV or Nikes in the hopes of selling it in order to buy necessities. I've never stolen anything in my life, but I honestly don't know what I would do if I were faced with such a tragic, seemingly hopeless situation.

One young individual when questioned by the News said "Ain't no PD so I be's looterin' ".

This reminded me of something. While it's wonderful to have all this technology to keep up-to-date, I will always keep in mind that the media is completely biased. I'm sick of the way they slant things sometimes. A photo of a black man who took groceries was identifed by the AP is a "looter," while a white couple who also took groceries were identified as "finding supplies." http://www.snopes.com/photos/katrina/looters.asp

Whatever. Just my two cents.

[robivi3]

I think that is a good point. Having been through this once, cash at this point isn't terribly useful, it wiil be but not now. The bottom line is looting is looting and if I owned a small store and people were securing supplies while i watched it is still looting.

trucks of people riding around Homestead during Andrew were looters and store owners fought back. Homeowners were held up for generators by people "securing supplies". Many owners of food stores willingly handed out food but many who did not own food stores were looted and some never recovered.

The bottom line is if it ain't yours it is looting. That being said a man seeking food and stealing it is remarkably different than a man seeking Nikes or TV's that aren't his. I disagree with the morals fitting the moment. Morality is morality. What if it is your TV they are securing or thats your store they are securing it for. I lived in the heart of a Katrina in 92' and I can say that when push came to shove i did not do it. And we weren't loaded with dough. My wife stayed home in our rented fourplex with three kids and i worked. we were not prepared but we survived. If morality is up for grabs then i can easily justify killing, stealing or anything i desire. Right is right and wrong is wrong and it is times like Katrina's or Andrew's or 9/11's that reveal the character of a person. At least that's what I learned from St. Augustine's writings but then again who is that guy to tell me what to do! (LOL).

I was in downtown Miami in 1980 when the famous May Riots broke out and my soon to be wife had to escorted by Police in her Chevette through a hail of bottles because when you left Flagler to get on 95 you had to pass Overtown. I got out by just racing past the Miami Police Dept. and through the outskirts of Overtown. I saw the columns of smoke over the next few days. Had friends who killed people to defend their businesses and knew some who knew some who were dragged from vehicles and killed. As a Service Truck driver in Transit years ago I had to go out and rescue vehicles in the 84' riots (Alverez). My best friend, was a Metro Dade Police Officer and father of two who on April 27, 1991 was shot in the carotid artery and died several blocks from my home by a car thief, a white guy, but cut from the same cloth as those who are firing on rescuers and looting businesses. I'm sorry for ranting, but I've seen the damage moral relativism has done to innocent people and i don't give a darn anymore, right is right, wrong is flat out wrong.

[babycakes]

I do believe stealing is stealing, but if it came down to me not having any food to feed my hungry babies, then I'm sorry I'd steal a loaf of bread and some milk. No, I wouldn't take tvs, or DVD players or anything like that. I can't eat that, but the basics of survival I would take. If the owner of the store was there, I would pay him, but if not I would take now and pay him back later. My kids are more important.

[brokemama]

I'm with you babycakes. I do not agree with the actions of a few, but we do have to remember, we are not there currently. My kids and husband are the most important things in my life. I do not need a TV, DVD player but I would need food for them and if need be, I would probably take it if It would be necessary. However, I wouldn't be the stupid one firing a gun at my only way out, now that is insane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I mean if they are attempting to save people why on earth would you be shooting at them. My husband is on his way down there now and it terrifies me to death knowing he will be in the middle of all that. he is part of an elite search and rescue team. I just pray he will be safe.

[robivi3]

The sad thing is the eight year old girl who was raped and had her throat slit in the Dome, also a ten year old was raped and who knows what else. Now I know that no one here condones that, in fact I'm sure most of us would likely give our lives protecting an innocent victim from that. Just a horrible thing, a total break down of law and order. Two Police Officers committed suicide.

I will be much better armed at the next disaster here. You have to take some responsibility to protect yourself and we have always had hurricane supplies, we buy and use little by little before the season.

Two of my cousins are in South Miss. and Mandeville Louisiana. They got away and one is in Dallas with his brother, the other in Corinth, Miss. with my aunt. They assume that their homes are gone but don't know. They are the types who will be ok and given my large family will find jobs quickly.

[babycakes]

Rape is a horrible crime. There is NO excuse for that, ever. And Robivi, I'm glad your family all got out safe and I'm sorry for them possibly losing their homes. This all shows me how lucky and blessed I am and how much I need to quit whining when I have a bad day.

[WhenThePawn]

The sad thing is the eight year old girl who was raped and had her throat slit in the Dome, also a ten year old was raped and who knows what else. Now I know that no one here condones that, in fact I'm sure most of us would likely give our lives protecting an innocent victim from that. Just a horrible thing, a total break down of law and order. Two Police Officers committed suicide.

I will be much better armed at the next disaster here. You have to take some responsibility to protect yourself and we have always had hurricane supplies, we buy and use little by little before the season.

Two of my cousins are in South Miss. and Mandeville Louisiana. They got away and one is in Dallas with his brother, the other in Corinth, Miss. with my aunt. They assume that their homes are gone but don't know. They are the types who will be ok and given my large family will find jobs quickly.

Absolutely awful. The entire situation is so tragic and I feel utterly helpless, as I'm sure a lot of us do.

I'm glad to hear your family is okay!

[robivi3]

I just bought a Mossberg. Waiting for everything to go through. Staying armed for the next big event.

[tinroofrusted]

I am with Babycakes on this one.

Stealing food is one thing.... sneakers another. And the stupid comments coming from Hollywood's "elite" and "educated" are driving me insane.

[robivi3]

I don't want to belabor this point anymore beyond this. I think we are all in agreement and if we aren't it's all conjecture anyway until it happens. I can assure myself that busting the window of a foodstore or even a Petsmart in times like NO is having is not looting. IT IS SURVIVAL, even for my dog. Having run out of clothes in Andrew I don't believe that clothing is always looting. Personally if I had to do it, I would probably work it off later. No joke, it's just me.

Food is necessity, clean clothing at this point is not looting and MOST assuredly, Pampers ain't lootin'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not at this point!

[sunshine08]

Not to be offensive ot to make fun of a bad situation but I got a joke today and just wanted to pass it on.
It is about the non looting in Texas
There are 4 guys standing around with various sizes and types of firearms holding a signs that says: "Drunks with guns"
"You loot - We shoot"
(you can tell I have a little redneck in me can't you???)

[Minnymouth]

cUTE JOKE - SUNSHINE08 - would get my attention for sure!!

Yes, Looting is Looting - but Survival is a whole new ballgame....
Would I steal to survive? Nope, but I'd sure borrow and pay back later!!! I would leave my calling card as I left with my survival necessities.... expecially if I had kids.

Minny

[sunshine08]

Sorry - it was too cute not to share.
I wouldn't call it looting or stealing if it were food, that type thing. I too would make a list and leave a IOU, would sign name, but not put address on it and would contact the company when I could and make arrangements to pay for the items as I could.
We are veryyyyyyyy prone to hurricanes here. Trust me, our walmarts, etc. would have any basic goods to steal(Except clothes, maybe) Because, you don't have to hear a weather report go by the walmart or foodlion parking lot and watch all the bread, milk, water and batteries leave the stores.
I truly don't understand why they didn't take the storm more seriously (i know Texas did) and try to leave sooner or have supplies that were needed.

[babycakes]

That joke was too funny. Got some redneck in me too. I even know some guys who would fit the bill for them....lol.