Why are there looters?

[Galahad]

Has anyone heard any word on whether the military is going to enter to try to get the city under control?

But surely your in depth study of our history should shed light on why that isn't as simple as it might appear to the much more completely informed.

 

[RickinNYC]

Actually, this was a discussion about looting and why it happens so please, Totalia, tell us where we misinterpreted your post.

I'd also appreciate your insight into the looting that occurred in Canada during the blackouts. You were the one that answered the original poster and basically stated that looting is due to American's natural aggression. And you also inferred that this wouldn't happen in Canada. Clearly, you're wrong.

As for making this a debate, it wouldn't have become one if you hadn't posted such inflammatory comments about the U.S.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I wish the police could actually do something about this. Unfortunately, the NO police are rather legendary. They probably don't really care. As can be seen by the fact that some of them are the ones doing the looting. I'm surprised the military hasn't gone in and forced order in the city.

Has anyone heard any word on whether the military is going to enter to try to get the city under control?

Based on the reports that I've seen, police, military and others have their hands full trying to save people who have been stuck on their roof tops since Monday. I don't think it's because they don't care, their priority right now seems to be in saving lives.

 

[Deb in IA]

*sighs* Whatever you say. Gods, why are you harping at me over something you misinterpreted instead of talking about the actual issue?

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.

 

[totalia]

And the question I asked isn't answered while people still try to continue the flame war.

This will be my last post in this thread.

It doesn't matter how I explain it, your already upset with me and will interpret it any way you want.

I already said there are exceptions in Canada. I just said it was rare.

You bring up Toronto without a thought as to the fact that it has almost as many people as New York City and is a large city close to the American border.

I can't speak for most of the people in the East unfortunately. I don't know why it happened.

However, your sheer reaction to what I said.. getting automatically defensive and upset and starting a flame war where all of you started telling me off, is simply proof of exactly what I said. Better proof than I could ever have given. You started a flame war when we were talking about much more serious things. YOU did. I didn't.

I never once said that Canada is better than the US. The posters here said I did. I said that we are different. Canada has the same problems. We are not pacifists. We just have proportionately far less of it than the US.

Where any of you got the idea that I even once said that Canada is better, I don't know.

Why don't you discuss the things that actually matter instead of trying to find a way to bash me for everything I say because you don't like the way I say it?

 

[Bichon Barb]

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.

Just to refresh our lacking memories:

"Americans are taught to be aggressive. They are taught to take what they can from life.

But the country runs on money. Basically, it runs on greed. The more money, the better."

 

[Galahad]

The new math. 4,500,000 = 18,400,000. Fascinating.

 

[RickinNYC]

Why don't you discuss the things that actually matter instead of trying to find a way to bash me for everything I say because you don't like the way I say it?

Because as Americans, our natural aggression won't allow folks to post passive aggressive comments about us and our country and not say something about it. You made ridiculous generalizations, you get called on it, and you still try to find a way to make it our fault.

As for bashing you for everything you say? When you make sweeping comments as you did, you're bound to offend someone and I just hope that person will call you on it.

 

[jgmklmhem]

Gods, it's like anarchy down there.


Canadians are taught to be polite, and nice. Aggression is rare.

This right here basically says Canadians are taught to be polite and nice and infers Americans are not taught the same values.

 

[MosMom]

Ohhh I don't know...maybe it is the comments you make ALL THE TIME regarding the US. It is such a weak excuse to say you never came right out and said Canada is better. Even uninformed Americans can figure it out. Don't hide behind your words, if you have such a strong opinion...DEFEND IT.

Instead you spew vitriol and then blame us for getting upset.

As far as your explanation of Toronto being too close to the American border and that has something to do with why they looted.

 

[Bichon Barb]

Why don't you discuss the things that actually matter instead of trying to find a way to bash me for everything I say because you don't like the way I say it?

Maybe it's because we are getting sick and tired of our country being bashed, day after day.

To be honest, there are many things I'm not happy about with regard to my country right now. I'm not thrilled that we invaded Iraq. I'm not thrilled with our current administration. I can voice my opposition. Foreigners can voice their oppositions.

But to come in and say this:

Americans are taught to be aggressive. They are taught to take what they can from life.

But the country runs on money. Basically, it runs on greed. The more money, the better.

I just find that so absolutely offensive and uncalled for, that I can't just sit back and let it slide as one person's opinion.

If you are getting bashed, I'm sorry, but you deserve it.

 

[RickinNYC]

I also just had to add another thought in terms of looting. The city of New Orleans is flooded. Buildings are smashed, houses are under water, landmarks are gone and the water keeps rising even after the hurricane has passed. I'm guessing but am fairly confident, that the looting initially started in New Orleans as a means for survival, i.e. food and water. When other less desirable folks saw how "easy" it was to obtain those items, they decided they would help themselves to jewelry, iPods, etc... It was an escalation.

But when those friendly Canadians got stuck in a blackout... no flooding, no smashed buildings, no submerged houses, no families being swept away, no fallen landmarks... it was dark and kinda hot. Let's loot!

Not that I'm generalizing or posting anything that would offend the citizens of an entire country.

 

[lbgraves]

I have no ill will towards anyone who took things like formula, diapers, water, or food. That is the survival instinct. What they have been showing, like others have said, is beyond that and is disgusting. The police officers in WM were going thru the shoe section.

This has gone beyond the point of why you now need to have someone stay at the house of the family when there is a funeral. Yes, people read the obits to find out who has died & when the funeral is so that they can go raid the house when everyone is at the viewing or service. SICK! I remember several large disasters in Europe when the names of the victims were released & their homes were robbed (or looted). That is why they now delay the release of any list of victims. Families were taken advantage of after 9/11. IMO there is nothing lower than taking from those who have nothing left.

 

[Tiggerkeeper]

totalia, be very, very careful when you generalize people because it usually makes "you" look ignorant in the end.

There is looting because there are economically depressed people who see this as an opportunity to get ahead. Doesn't make it right, it is very sad, but it does happen.

 

[sodaseller]

totalia, be very, very careful when you generalize people because it usually makes "you" look ignorant in the end.

There is looting because there are economically depressed people who see this as an opportunity to get ahead. Doesn't make it right, it is very sad, but it does happen.

Well said - this Gator had today made common cause with a Dawg and Bayou Bengal - this catastrophe is really bringing us together

 

[LindaG4458]

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?

There was an article in today's Boston Globe (I will try to find the link) quoting the WalMart manager. She said that the store had a arrangement with the local authorities that they could go into the store and take suppolies to use in emergencies. The store expected them to make a list and pay for them later. The story went on to say that, when the police entered the store, citizens followed them and began looting.


ETA: here is the link: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/a..._stripped_of_merchandise_in_beleaguered_city/

A quote from the article:

People said they'd heard that Wal-Mart had opened its doors to provide supplies for law enforcement agencies sheltering the 10,000-plus people in the Superdome. A Wal-Mart spokeswoman, Sharon Weber, said that law enforcement, emergency management teams, and relief agencies have ''unwritten permission" to help themselves to whatever they need from Wal-Mart stores in times of crisis, but that standard procedure is for the police or aid officials to ''leave us a list of what they take so they can pay us later."

At the Lower Garden District Wal-Mart, among the items seen being loaded into police cars were dozens of T-shirts, DVDs, and dog food.

But when law enforcement officials went to get their goods, others -- people of all ages and races -- followed.

 

[lbgraves]

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.

 

[doxdogy]

As pointed out to you earlier Totalia, the military is already there. It is called the National Guard. Each state has a National Guard. It is the first line of defense, they are the first to respond in times of disaster. However, the majority of the National Guard are citizens of that state. Since they are citizens of the state, I doubt they are worried about nailing looters. They are worried about the well being of themselves and their families. If you are so worried about the arrest of the looters, why don't you carry your happy self down here and arrest them yourself?

 

[grlpwrd]

 

[imsorry]

God Bless America, Land that I Love

Just remember it is America that is always there when another part of the world needs help. Is a certain person here French Canadian - it would explain alot.