Looting or Salvaging?

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I didn't mean to sound snappish. I had a 2YO looting my pantry so I had to go in and commandeer some supplies for the greater good of the family. And while I didn't shoot him, I did give him a strong talking to. Maybe next time he'll eat his lunch and be better prepared for the afternoon munchies

 

[safetymom]

As someone who went through 3 hurricanes last year the last thing I would have done would be loot a store. We had no electricity and the food had spoiled. Everyone else was in the same boat. Wal Mart, Publix, etc. had no perishables. Did that entitle me to take what else I wanted because I needed it?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

As someone who went through 3 hurricanes last year the last thing I would have done would be loot a store. We had no electricity and the food had spoiled. Everyone else was in the same boat. Wal Mart, Publix, etc. had no perishables. Did that entitle me to take what else I wanted because I needed it?

Same deal for me---2 hurricanes here and Hugo in 1989.

Guess I didn't know I could go "pick up" Dorito's.

the pity party is b/c NOLA is low income and impoverished--that is who stayed behind.

Evidently none of us understand b/c we aren't there. (which is hogwash btw!).

 

[skiwee1]

Sorry but looters should be shot where they stand. It made me sick to see to what looked like an entire family going into a store and grabbing everything their trashy hands could carry. Sickening.

 

[Free4Life11]

Thet TP guy doesnt bother me. Everybody will need to use it sometime or another. Hopefully he shared.

Except you can't do much with WET toilet paper. 80% of the city is underwater, the water is not safe to drink, and you've got someone (the TP snatcher) worrying about toilet paper. I'm sorry, but the elevator is cleary not reaching the top floor (again, not you, the TP snatcher.)

 

[MinnieM3]

exactly.

given that these storms can be prepared for--they were told to prepare, they were told to get out. Those who couldn't get out were given refuge of last resort. EVERYONE for the most part who is in their home is there by choice.

They didn't crash a plane and find a place to salvage supplies--they allowed themselves to be open to a very dangerous situation.

In most cases---it isn't "Oh crap, what are we going to do now". It is "boo-ya---let's go get us some stuff".

yes these are poor people.....but if they did this same action the day before--it would have been stealing. It is ONE day later....it is taking advantage of the situation.

We are feeling sorry due to their poverty--but if you saw someone carrying groceries back to their mansion on St. Charles right now---it wouldn't be seen the same way.

If their was truly a need at this point---officials would be commandeering the stores and taking needed supplies.

The need we are speaking of--if there is one, is of their own making.

I agree! They should have gone to the store honestly and bought the stuff they needed before hand, like everyone was told to do. If you can get to the store to steal, you can get to it to buy. They knew what was coming! Things for infants might be my only exception, although you can stock up diapers, too. Be smart, not criminal.

 

[Eric95403]

I was watching one of the major network news shows and they had some bigwig from the Mississippi?? National Guard. They were discussing the looting. He said that looting for items of need in emergency situations, while frowned upon, is fine (police and national guard would turn their heads). But the other type of looters would be prosecuted to the fullest (15yr max prison term). In all honesty, that won't happen due to the circumstances. If you arrested someone...what would you actually do with him at that moment.

I am with some of the other posters in regards to the scum that was seen looting other goods....I'd shoot them on sight. Sorry, but extreme circumstances call for extreme measures. Peoples lives are in danger and emergency personel is stuck watching for looters instead of being able to help those in real need.

 

[MinnieM3]

Personally, I would do whatever I had to do to take care of my family. If I had to resort to taking necessities, I would. I would also find a way to repay the store.

Why wouldn't you have prepared for your familly beforehand? I've been there and we were prepared and didn't resort to looting or know anyone who did. It's not like Katrina was a surprise!

 

[Pongo69]

Sorry but looters should be shot where they stand. It made me sick to see to what looked like an entire family going into a store and grabbing everything their trashy hands could carry. Sickening.

I never thought I would agree with you, but God knows I do.

As I said before, they're low down individuals who are only thinking of themselves.

That said, just because I call it like I see it does not mean I'm RACIST!!!!

Being impoverished does not give you the right to steal from others. I can see if it were toiletries, or items to help you survive where you would at least pay the owner back when all is said and done, but to steal electronics when you have no electricity...give me a break....they are taking advantage of this tragedy imho.

 

[tekmom]

I'm disgusted, too. Food, I can understand....but tv's, jewelry??? Please...I certainly wouldn't cry if they were shot on sight.

 

[skiwee1]

I never thought I would agree with you, but God knows I do.

As I said before, they're low down individuals who are only thinking of themselves.

That said, just because I call it like I see it does not mean I'm RACIST!!!!

Being impoverished does not give you the right to steal from others. I can see if it were toiletries, or items to help you survive where you would at least pay the owner back when all is said and done, but to steal electronics when you have no electricity...give me a break....they are taking advantage of this tragedy imho.

ITA. I saw who was looting and you called it right whether some don't want to hear it or not. I didn't see one person carrying diapers or other needy goods. For some reason cheap malt liquor doesn't count as a necessity.

 

[arminnie]

But on the other hand...if I owned say, a grocery store in New Orleans, and I had evacuated and couldn't come back for weeks, and some of the unfortunate people stuck there were able to get into my store and get bottled water or diapers...I wouldn't mind.

I have someone from New Orleans who owns a small neighborhood grocery store staying with us right now. She had to leave in a big hurry and neither she nor her business partner were able to even go by the store.

One of her concerns is the food rotting in the store. So maybe she would be happy if the perishables were gone. But a real concern of business owners and residents is the looters that break windows, etc to get in - letting in the elements even more and just ransacking the place - just plain old vandalism.

 

[Sparx]

The way I see it, If you REALLY need what you are taking, it is surviving. (Medication, food, water, clothes) but if you are taking it to HAVE it, it is stealing.

 

[CharlesTD]

I don't care if you are destitute ewhen you break the windo of a store and take things from within it that is theft regardless if you are in the situation they are in New Orleans.

 

[eclectics]

The more reports I am hearing and seeing on TV are very disturbing. I must say that I now believe this not just "survival mentality" stealing anymore. It might even be approaching anarchy. I just heard a policeman was shot in the head by a looter and the police are now traveling in groups of 10 cars because they fear for their lives. Even if New Orleans is able to somehow recover from this, I don't think it will ever be the same city. Very sad indeed.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

On TV--they had the sheriff of some parish--saying they don't care if it is a tv or a loaf of bread..looters would be arrested.

(obviously depending on the needs of each parish....how this manifests will vary).

 

[Free4Life11]

If you saw the images on Rita Cosby, it is clear. These people are NOT, ABSOLUTELY NOT stealing for survival. They are taking advantage of a terrible situation.

 

[Free4Life11]

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9131493/

There's an article on looting.

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

Are you people serious? Shoot people who steal from grocery stores or Wal Mart?

People steal millions of dollars through schemes and only get a year or two in prisons and you want to possibly give death to people who may take a couple of hundred dollars or maybe even thousand of merchandise.

I do not want to live in the same country as you guys.

I'd hate to think of what you'd do to people who commit a more harmful crime.

I'd hate to be your kid and get caught stealing CDs or clothes.

 

[Free4Life11]

I'll give you that. If anyone should be shot it's the Enron and Worldcom Exec's. I don't think the looters should be shot, but I do think it's wrong.