Why are there looters?

[RickinNYC]

After reading the rest of this thread I am shocked & saddened by views of America. Yes, this is a disaster but there are already people rallying to help. They are leaving their homes & families all over the country to drive to the area to help for days or even weeks. School children are already collecting donations to help. Stores have already announced programs to match any donations made thru them. Groups all over the country are collecting clothes, canned foods, bottled water, diapers, formula, HBA items, and even toys for the kids to load up on 18 wheelers to take to centers where the people who need this aid will receive it.

These are the things that I think about whenever I remember a disaster...how it brings out the BEST in Americans. This has happened as long as I can remember....as a child we took donations to a big truck in a mall parking lot that was taking things down to Homestead, FL after Andrew hit them, after 9/11, after the Tsunami, after every single hurricane that has hit US soil and left people with nothing. This time last year I was in Target buying lots of extra school supplies at 75% off to box up & send down to FL thru the local newspaper. I wasn't the only one doing this. I will be doing the very same thing this year. I have read several posts on the DIS offering to help out total strangers who are affected by Katrina with a place to sleep or anything else that they may need.

If you look at the big picture you will see that there is much more to America than crime, looting, and killing.

Well said Lisa!

Unfortunately, folks like Totalia only see the negative that occurs in time of crisis. She doesn't see, nor does she recognize, the amazing efforts that we do as a UNITED country when it's necessary. We put aside our differences and work towards a common goal, HELPING each other. Totalia, on the other hand, will only stand back and point and say, "Yeah but...."

Thankfully, like the looters, Totalia is in the minority and is the exception.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Is it possible the police offiicer "looters" were taking things for rescue or for food or drink for the stranded? Let's face it, much of what is in the stores will be bad and unable to be sold anyway after this tragedy. Maybe they were just putting it to use for people that could use them?

In this footage--absolutely not--they were "shopping" if that makes sense..looking at stuff on the shelf like they were spending their afternoon at Walmart. They would not identify themselves on camera and conducted themselves in much the same way as the looters--where they knew it was wrong but knew noone could stop them.


The times that stores were commandeered for supplies---authorities had no shame and they specified that is what they were doing.

While these two ladies were "shopping"--the place was getting robbed.

Someone said they could have been security guards--that is possible. But I thought security guards guard other types of places...not the one lone super walmart. They had a light blue top. I am not familiar with the uniforms down there. And I will be honest that the media was not clear exactly on what their job was.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

There are patients in the hospital on life support systems and they are relying on portable generators to keep these people alive. Is it considered looting when these staff members have to go out to the parking garage and syphon gas from cars to keep the generators going?

No--authorities (med staff included) can commandeer what they need to care for the sick and it is not considered looting.

Someone taking gas to run their generator so they can watch tv (even if is the news)--is looting.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

When is the evacuation supposed to begin?

Man, I never thought I'd see the day when NO would be a virtual ghost town for even a short period of time. Thats disturbing.

It has been ongoing since the hurricane.

Priority has been getting the sick out and when more transportation comes it--they will work there way through everyone else.

 

[TammiMcMan]

No--authorities (med staff included) can commandeer what they need to care for the sick and it is not considered looting.

I completely agree and posted this more in response to what I've seen on the news. Some studio reporters are reading e-mails from folks across the US. I'm paraphrasing here, but basically many are disgusted by the looting in it's entirety and cannot see how anyone can make a distinction between necessity and greed. I just find it sad how judgemental people can be, especially in a situation that God forbid, they ever have to experience first hand. My prayers are with everyone affected.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

I do wonder how people taking offense when their country is bashed repeatedly is "proving a point." It only proves people don't like their country (and by extension themselves) to be bashed. Don't dish it if you can't take it.

Rick, I remember the NYC blackout...we bonded with all our neighbors having pizza and basically hanging out. It was so calm and collected, and people were helping each other out. What could have been a disaster turned into a pleasant little break. In NYC people banded together just the way they did during 9/11...it may be an "aggressive" town under ordinary circumstances but in times of disaster the people of NYC show a toughness and a togetherness that is breathtaking.

Are there bad apples taking advantage of the situation? Of course. A human trait and one that is thankfully not pervasive. Most people want to help.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I completely agree and posted this more in response to what I've seen on the news. Some studio reporters are reading e-mails from folks across the US. I'm paraphrasing here, but basically many are disgusted by the looting in it's entirety and cannot see how anyone can make a distinction between necessity and greed. I just find it sad how judgemental people can be, especially in a situation that God forbid, they ever have to experience first hand. My prayers are with everyone affected.

I guess that e-mailer...should read their laws .

At anytime the government can commander in the name of safety just about anything. Usually they do pay for it later.

 

[SillyMe]

Gods, it's like anarchy down there.

Even if my fiance's apartment building survived, it would be almost worthless to go back because of the looting.

And yes, I meant it as a defense.

Canada has its problems too. I think that we aren't aggressive ENOUGH. Its one of our problems.

I understand why that is with my country too though. Yours was born out of blood, pain and suffering. Ours was a much more peaceful creation.

Its mostly about understanding the country's past and culture to understand the way they think.

Canadians are taught to be polite, and nice. Aggression is rare. Thats not to say that we wouldn't. We still have murder, rape, theft, and all the nasty little things humans can do to each other.

We are just different..

To understand Americans (as confusing as it can seem to us) its best to understand their history. I understood a whole heck of alot better after my American History classes in college.

You're contradicting yourself. I have an Aunt and Uncle who have lived in Canada most of their lives. Their children were born and raised there. My cousin was brutally tortured and murdered and no justice was served. Does that define the country? No. Why should the crime in the US be blamed on the country being "aggressive" as a whole? We're not talking about country vs. country. These are people...individuals. You have them in your country, we have them in ours. They should not define what our country is about. Some people just choose to base their opinions on the negative things, which is what you seem to do.

 

[damo]

Man oh man oh man, Totalia. I hope people don't think that all Canadians think the way you do.

 

[maddiel]

Man oh man oh man, Totalia. I hope people don't think that all Canadians think the way you do.

Ditto!

M.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Totalia,

I am glad all Canadians are not like you.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Sorry, wrong looting thread!!

 

[HOGFAN]

3 guys on news explaining the reason they were stealing shoes out of a store:

The police stole the shoes they had on their feet

Pleeeese, give me a break!!

 

[arminnie]

Well, Rick, not only are we Americans too aggressive, but we are too STUPID to correctly interpret what a smart Canadian like totalia is telling us -- about us. You see, totalia is never wrong; we Americans are just never right.

And she can't figure out why she can't get a permit to come to the U.S. More than one INS employee on this board, and it's not too difficult to figure out her identity.

 

[ThAnswr]

Sorry, wrong looting thread!!

ROTFLMAO!

This reminds me of the time I confused the endoscopy thread with the colonoscopy thread. It took me a few seconds reading a comment about a "muppet" when I realized I was on the wrong thread.

Think about it.

 

[Microcell]

Weren't the race riots in Kansas City 35 to 40 years ago? Anyway, I think the vast majority of people didn't loot. It seem like they show the same footage over and over again. I saw several police officers trying to stop the looters. You wonder if people stayed behind purposely so they could loot and why didn't the city officials anticipate this problem? I guess it's one of those live and learn situations.

Is it possible the the people wearing police uniforms weren't really police officers??

Yes, my Stepmother was a teacher at Southwest HS or was it Westport? You don't know, I am sure. Dosen't matter, it was in the 60's and a young man who was a student, saw her trying to get to her car to get out because it was so bad, and he died being a human shield for her to get to her car. There is good in the world, I swear it!

Totalia,
I think you really need to stay in that wonderful country of yous and just let us continue to protect you.

 

[Microcell]

Upon further reading, I feel compelled to really explain Americans, from an American perspective thank you.

Our GREAT country was founded on these very basic principals- freedom of religion and the ability to own property through hard work.

Our founding fathers wanted not to be persecuted and just wanted something of thier own. Security it is called.

Today, the vast majority of Americans still want those things. We work hard for what we have, and we don't apologize for it. That is what makes all of you so mad, that so many want to live here for the same reason, a corner of the world where we can say we own something and can take pride in it.

We are also very generous, and kind though you wouldn't know it by asking people who live in Canada. We are the first to give aid in other areas, and at home. We are helping the people in Louisiana, all over the country. I will now be spending about $5.00 in gas and hopefully another thirty to help fill a truck with water and other supplies to go to LA and MS. I don't have much, like many others here in the US, but we do take care of our own and I am proud of us.

The childrens hospital here flew 28 sick kids here to Kansas City, some of whom may or may not have family still alive in New Orleans. They also brought over any family that could come. They are feeding them at the Ronald McDonald house in the hospital and putting them up in hotels. The kids on the news were handed a blanket and teddy bear as they arrived.

That is America. I am proud and I don't apologize.

 

[S. C.]

Gods, it's like anarchy down there.

Even if my fiance's apartment building survived, it would be almost worthless to go back because of the looting.

And yes, I meant it as a defense.

Canada has its problems too. I think that we aren't aggressive ENOUGH. Its one of our problems.

I understand why that is with my country too though. Yours was born out of blood, pain and suffering. Ours was a much more peaceful creation.

Its mostly about understanding the country's past and culture to understand the way they think.

Canadians are taught to be polite, and nice. Aggression is rare. Thats not to say that we wouldn't. We still have murder, rape, theft, and all the nasty little things humans can do to each other.

We are just different..

To understand Americans (as confusing as it can seem to us) its best to understand their history. I understood a whole heck of alot better after my American History classes in college.

WHY did you choose an american to be engaged to? Why not choose a non aggressive polite, and nice canadian.