Warm Beer and a Show
I left uptown yesterday morning when they hadn�t stopped the flooding, slow as it was, and I could no longer get tap water. Up to that point, things weren�t really that bad to be honest. I had plenty of food and a gas stove and tap water to boil. In truth though, I didn�t leave because of the water. I was alone in a nice, dry, second floor apartment with two cats. But it started to become clear to me Tuesday afternoon that the police did not have control of the city. People who�d been locked in the superdome were out roaming the streets with nowhere to go. People who�d been left on highway overpasses after spending days on their roofs� were displaced and desperate. As the water continued to rise, the island of dry land was getting smaller and smaller while the number of inhabitants of the area was growing rapidly. People were noticeably frustrated, hungry, thirsty, and scared. This is all understandable in my mind and a little looting for necessity � for survival � is to be expected. I believe this can be done with some dignity and in an organized fashion that minimizes unnecessary destruction of property and ensures that some measure of control and distribution is maintained.
I sat at the Avenue Pub on St. Charles for a while Tuesday afternoon. The looting I saw at the Walgreen�s a block away was not out of necessity and lacked all dignity. People were trying to profit from the fact that the police were out in devastated areas saving lives. It was a callous, blas� looting. There was pride in the faces of those, not running, but walking casually, even proudly that they�d stolen a tv, or a microwave, or some equally useless thing given the situation. People were making repeated trips. The police would drive by and slow down, but what were they to do? There�s nowhere to take them if arrested. I�m certain there were communications breakdowns that made it difficult for the officers to even know what to do. Let�s face it, if you�re going to arrest hundreds of people, there has to be some coordination. All you have to do is think about how the police function during Mardi Gras.
Am I disappointed? Yes, but not for the reasons you might think. And here�s my point: the people that were looting the stores and shops uptown were the people from uptown that had been least effected by the storm. That�s where my disappointment comes from. Instead of trying to help clear the streets so emergency vehicles can get through or trying to help in some way, hell, even just staying home, grateful, and out of the way, which is sometimes the best you can do by not being someone in need; instead of any of this, there is a group of uptown residents that chose to capitalize on the situation. They were not directly impacted by the storm. I watched them proudly ride their new bicycles, absconded from Wal-Mart, up and down my street using the bikes to speed up the further looting of said Wal-Mart. Some had the look of Christmas joy on their faces and it turned my stomach to look at them knowing so many lost their lives and were dying at that very moment, and so many more lost everything and would take years to earn back what they lost. Others, losing nothing, find no more productive thing to do than steal stuff they don�t need and force the police to stop rescuing people in need to deal with the greed. Someone will die because an officer was telling you to put the DVD player down instead of cutting through a roof to let someone out before the water takes them from this world.
I hope you all enjoy those bicycles. Just because they were free to you does not mean they didn�t come at a price. It may be more expensive than you know.
Related posts:
Just a few weeks before the hurricane, I was reading an account of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and the aftermath. Back then, they knew how to deal with looters.
While taking food and water is a matter of survival, there should be far more troops in place, and anyone who loots either non-essential goods (jewelry, TVs, etc), or who loots the dead of their possessions should be shot on the spot without hesitation.
Their bodies should then be hung from the streetlamps as a warning to others.
how come no white people looting
I just hope you are safe… and I hope you took your cats too… I feel so bad for your loss,and I had been trying to get help before the storm hit on Sat.. for you.. for the government to get planes in and the military and ships up the Mississippi to aid in the evacuation… on Sat..I was told by NBC. to “mind my own business”,and your Gov.Blanco was on Larry King on Tuesday night wondering too;as to where was the help before the storm hit when they clearly saw that Katrina was heading deadon for the city. She said she was waiting for the planes to come and evacuate on Sat and Sun morning… they never came… I emailed the Gov.Tuesday night and told her what I also asked…the military is in Iraq!We need them here… and yet those very citizens who send their sons and daughters to fight for our freedoms are dying because they cannot get out of their homes… or are being robbed in New Orleans.. or as of this morning,being burned out with fires raging in the projects… I think have been deliberately set.. I think there is a mindset that people want to loot and wreak havoc.. they don’t care about anyone… and the news journalist’s don’t help… they just report the news in all it’s gruesomeness,and don’t get the directions or the communications out…. to people… there were 6 National Guardsman in the Superdome to protect all those people? Not one of those people taking shelter in the Superdome could or did assume any leadership…. no battery operated tv’s could have gotten in there to show the people what is going on? Etc, Etc? I hope and pray for recovery of the once glorious and elegant city of New Orleans.. all of this looting and violence is only tarnishing… a cherished history… let us remember we are Americans… and that we must have hope and faith… and trust in ourselves,and that our government will come to the aid of all those who still are in need.. let us hope it isn’t too late. Peace.
I am a television producer from Chile (South America) and we need some help from you or somebody in New Orleans. Please if you can send me a mail with your telephone number or some way of comunications.
Thanks a lot
Me mail is paulaserra@canal13.cl
David:
Please do a Google search on the population statistics of New Orleans. Okay? There are just more black citizens than white. This looting is a “value system” problem, not a race problem.
Jack:
I am glad that you are okay. I am so, so sorry that you are beginning to feel unsafe. I too, share your diappointment that those “less effected” haven’t turned their energies to helping those in need. I wish with all my heart that they could have risen above the dire circumstances and proceeded in a dignified manner. I guess it will take outside forces to clean up the moral decay. How sad.
Thankfully, we will hear later some great examples of heroism and alturism… unfortunately, right now it is the ugliest part of human nature that is on display before the world.
Stay safe and keep the hope.
Of course looting is a crime unless you do it for survival. But shooting people is a crime too. And hanging people from streetlamps and trees in the alley is what the fucking nazis did in the end of ww 2. You shall not kill does apply to everybody!
Who really cares about the looting and stealing from the stores! These people are all in need of food, water, shelter and medical attention. If I were there, under those conditions, I would steal whatever I needed in order to survive. And so would you! The businesses that are being burlarized are all covered by insurance anyway. The government does not care about these people the way they are portraying on tv. As far as the government is concerned, these poor people have no value to society and they don’t really care if they die. The people (those that are physically able)should form their own band and march with fists in the air down the streets and let the media film them shouting “we want help”. The only thing the national guard seems to be doing is trying to keep the masses from breaking the law (stealing) but they don’t care that they are sick or starving and dieing. Pres. Bush is a phoney, Rick Perry is a phoney. They are not answering the questions they are asked. They are just playing out their political roles with their smirky smiles and their lies. Now Pres Bush says there will be “zero tolerance” for looting. That means that the government has cart blanch to kill people who are stealing to survive. And really, since when is more value placed on material items than the life of a child or any human being under these circumstances? They are desperate. People who are desperate will do desperate things. So what if some jewelry store or walmart gets robbed. Their insurance will cover it. We will help the Iraqi people because they are our means to oil (so they have value) but these poor people (our very own americans) in New Orleans and elsewhere who were hurt by Katrina - they have no value to our government. they are just poor people. Do you really think the government cares about them? Rick Perry lied, Bush has lied. Where are the churches and missionaries? Why has the military not dropped government soldier food rationing packs from helicopters? one helicopter can drop thousands of rations to these people. I think it is deplorable. I wish I was there. If I were there I would form a group of people and I would march and shout and I would make sure that the media audience knew exactly what was going on. I would make them hear the voice of the people. We are are not getting the full story out here. Pres. Bush won’t even answer a question directly. He beats around the bush and does not address what people are asking him and he wears that canary bird smirky smile on his face that just makes me sick. These people should have been out of there by now-at least the ones who want to go. Has anyone noticed how the voice of the media has changed in the past 24 hours? suddenly they are not reporting the true horrors of the situation. they are just reporting what they are being told to report in order to entertain us. The whole thing is a disgrace. Our government is a disgrace. Our media is a sham. I am ashamed of our country and the lack of support these people are receiving. We have the ability to do much more. But the bottom line is painfully true - these folks don’t have value and that’s not how I see it but that is how the government sees it. So to hell with all the material items and the stores and the businesses. People will be shot now for stealing a can of peas…does that make logical sense to anyone out there reading this??? Because, I see that it is a crime to be killed for stealing in this situation. Why hasn’t the rich catholic church stepped in and brought busses of food and clothing? This country is moving too slow. These people are all going to get very sick and die. Is that the plan?
Sincerely,
Puking my guts out in Florida
John: Though it’s against my nature, I’m forced to say that isn’t a horrible idea. It would certainly put a huge burden of judgement on the officers having to make the call on what a necessity is. With any judgement call there’s a chance for abuse or misunderstanding.
David: clearly from the name you chose you aren’t thinking it through but for the sake of clarity let me say that I’m sure there were whites looting. But just sheer demographic percentages and the poor factor that would keep people from getting out of town there would be more non whites looting. This isn’t a racial issue at all - it’s a human nature/human behavior issue. Trying to make it a race issue devalues the point and over simplifies the the situation while allowing whites to claim it wasn’t them. That is bullshit. New Orleans is home to everyone who lives there and we’re all in it together. There’s no room for that kind of thinking in this situation - it’s just as negligent as the looting. If you don’t have anything more useful to add than that there are forums for it but this isn’t it.
hello jack,
do you know if there was wind damage, flooding or looting on 4th street between magazine and constance?
are waters receding?
is there anything i can do to help?
mike hood
“For every action, there is opposite and equal reaction”…”One reaps what one sows”…”It is better to give than receive”…”Do to others as you would have them do to you”
As of Tuesday afternoon everything on the river side of St. Charles from Canal to Napoleon was dry as a bone with no water immediatelly in sight. I would have gone further, up past Napoleon, but my bike got a flat from debris. Even the wind damage in that area wasn’t as devastating as you would think.
I’m in florida and went through 3 of the storms last year. I know what it’s like to not have power, water, food, and to be scared in such darkness after the sun falls. I know that compaired to what you are going through we were very lucky. No one looted here. The police were able to function, and everyone obeyed the curfew. But I hope you and other good people in your area know that you are in our thougths and prayers all the time. This has consumed our minds and our hearts are breaking for you. I don’t understand why someone would steal from someone else esp. their neighbor and heaven forbid a person who is dead. I know that the store owners would be fine with people taking food and water but I can’t understand why someone would want a TV. I do hope you and everyone else is ok and keep up your spirits. It seems along way off but you will rebuild and you will go on. We did. Everyday when you would see another house with power, or another roof go up, you were so happy for them and it gave you hope that it would happen to you soon too. I hope to one day visit New Orleans. God bless you.
I sit in Omaha, NE read this site numerous times a day. After all that has been on the news I can’t take my eyes off of this horrific ordeal. My father lives near Ft. Lauderdale, so I was already focused on Katrina. I hope you are safe. I read of your cats…are they safe? There are so many stories and such saddnes. It will be nice to see something good rise out of this. I still think that the only thing you’d need bad enough to loot is clothing, food, and beer. Warm or not, I’m guessing a lot of people could use a little dose of what life used to be like one week ago.
To Chris Holt:
You said: “I would steal whatever I needed in order to survive. And so would you!”
Thank you for explaining to me what you would do, but please DO NOT SPEAK FOR ME. I would not be looting, just as many other survivors ARE NOT looting at this time.
When it is all said and done - EACH PERSON is responsible for their OWN behavior. It is easy to blame and blame but ultimately it comes down to a matter of personal intergrity.
Okay, no prob. with looting food, water, clothing. But what about the TVs? the jewelry? the liquor? the guns from Walmart? And if you’re looting clothes, why do you need tens upon tens of Nike Shoes? Wouldn’t you liberate high water boots or something? Look, if it makes you sleep better at night to believe that people are looting survival items, so be it.
The cats are actually my roommate’s and he was stuck out of town and could not get back. I left them as much food and water as I could scrounge up and gave them the best chance to survive I could. Roommate is contacting the animal rescue organizations and trying to get someone over there to get them out in the next week or so (we believe they should be fine until then). But if anyone has additional contact information for people to have their pets rescued, please post it as I’m sure there is a need.
please! drop supplies from airplanes! tents, bug spay ,food and water.
I am just appalled at the citizens who do not want to help themselves or others.. rise above the situation.. and am disappointed in the Government for not doing more before Katrina hit,and not being ready with help immediately after the storm subsided.The Red Cross and The Salvation Army said they were prepared in advance.. that is what FEMA keeps broadcasting[or brainwashing]us to believe… but as we see from the news reports.. they are all falling short of the mark.. why not use a military base that they are slating to close,or a cruise ship,or a fairgrounds…with a new city..like they have built in Iraq for the troops with KFC’s and Burger King’s.. and schools… they come in and build everything… and on dry land near devastated areas… where are the tents… and mobile kitchens that were promised for Wednesday? Not having the services…water…will lead you to break into a store to get water… or steal a car… to drive out somewhere… people are dying in place… and no one can hear/see them fall. Charles.
Hey Chris from Florida:
Look man, Gore lost. It’s over. And when you had a chance to do it again for Kerry, you lost again. Stop hating on Bush. YOU LOST! YOU LOST! YOU LOST! Bush won and there is nothing you can ever do about that. It’s over. We’re not pulling out of Iraq! We’re not appointing liberals to the Court! To the victor goes the spoils.
What do you mean it’s covered by insurance? You think insurance is going to make these business owners whole again? Besides, most insurances do not cover flood. That’s why there is such a thing as flood insurance. And there’s a good chance that a catastrophic event like this won’t be covered b/c of some tricky “act of God” clause in the insurance. And while big corporations may be well covered, chances are small business people are not.
Looting for life saving necessities is one thing but stealing anything and everything is another. Sure the stores are insured for theft but in the long run this leads to higher insurance premiums and higher priced goods. We pay for it in the long run. I don’t think that they should shoot looters on sight. There need to be more National Guardsmen posted throughout the city to deter looting. The police should concentrate on rescues only. People are dying while the police are trying to handle looters
Rick Perry says that Texas is taking an additional 25,000 people to San Antonio. Where they are going to put them is beyond me. I think that they should use housing on closed military bases for the evacuees but there would probably be all sorts of red tape involved. Another solution is for individuals to take evacuees into their own homes. This is what was done 60 years ago when people truly cared enough to get involved instead of merely making a donation. I am sure that there are plenty of people who could take some evacuees in to their homes but would rather give money and not have to deal with the individuals themselves. Perhaps this is especially true for the New Orleans evacuees since the majority of them are African American. We say we aren’t predjudiced but we still don’t want them in our house. How far have we really come since the 1960’s?
Someone can come and live with me if they can get to Dallas and I will accept pets also. Linda
I find the looting deplorable. Anything beyond water or food or medical supplies?
But I understand it. There is no order in the city, and people are just not getting any information. They have no idea when their next meal will be or how they will obtain it. It is human instinct to fight for your survival. Perhaps the thinking is… I’ll take a TV that I can then sell to get myself and my family out of here.
The city has some explaining to do. Why was the call for an evacuation of the city so late? Bush has some explaining to do. It is clear that the country cannot fight an immoral war and at the same time adequately provide for its citizens. Further, the federal response was not substantially stepped up for some 36 hours after the storm. The city’s contingency plan, if you can call it that, for having people at the Superdome was clearly not prepared. While much of this disaster could not have been prepared for, it seems that more could have been done. There was plenty of advance notice of how bad this could be, and yet the city of New Orleans and the state seemed to be caught unprepared.
And I am sick of the National coverage. The looters are the easy story. Full of drama and intrigue, but they are taking the focus away from those who still need to be rescued (have you seen the posts of those needing rescued on nola.com, scary). The human tragedy aspect is difficult to tell, and the American people may not be able to stomach it, but they must. I wish that everyone would shut up about gas prices. People are dying. Stop driving your SUV or actually walk somewhere. Give the money you would have spent on gas to the Red Cross.
Chris Holt is being silly! No one would blame someone for taking food and water that is just going to rot anyway! It’s the animals that are taking tv’s and dvd’s and any other kinds of things that deserve to be brought back to a moral center! I don’t care how they (police, national guard,etc) go about doing it as long as it keeps decent honorable people safe! You have the dregs of society who walk around on a good day with their hands out never thinking about getting a job, who are now taking even more advantage of people, stealing entire gun sections out of stores instead of taking canned goods to help their family and neighbors, with their smirks and smiles like they are proud of what they have accomplished! THAT is something to puke your guts out over! I hope that the good decent people get out of there and to those mongrels that have no shred of decency looks like you are welcome in Chris’ neighborhood! FILTHY ANIMALS! How could anyone defend that behavior? People have watched their family members drown or float away…people have opened up their homes what is left of them to strangers,…people who have one bottle of water are sharing it with someone they have never met. This is the best of our society and they are the ones that make me proud.
Charles:
Man, how long do you think it would take to establish provisions for a city the size of New Orleans? 24 hours? 36 hours? one week? Do you think the military establishes bases for tens of thousands of troops over night? It takes a long time to move supplies to where they are needed and set it up.
They didn’t have to shoot too many looters in 1906 for the rest to get the hint.
The military at the time also rounded up every able-bodied person to help with rescue, distributing aid, and other necessary work.
The military needs to get in there and run the show.
They need to restore order by shooting some of the looters.
They need to distribute aid and rescue who they can.
They need to organize the able-bodied who are present to help - and shoot those who resist just like they did in 1906.
This is a real emergency - not some human rights discussion. Every person down there who does not help is actually harming people - in some cases, if they are causing authorities to divert resources, they are actually causing someone else somewhere to die.
Yes, it’s a hard judgment call to make. But survival in those situations depends on your ability to do the hard things. Martial law should have been declared immediately instead of delaying - the leaders in the area obviously had no idea that people would be looting flat screen TVs, computer software, and DVDs.
I am sure people who are “looting” are doing so out of desperation. Food, diapers, etc is hopefully a no-brainer. In regards to jewlery and electronics, who cares? I am sure that people who have just lost their homes, jobs and belongings are trying to figure out a way to survive after this and if they can use these items to sell or trade for necessities that is part of survival. This country is rich and selfish. People are not going to give as much as they *truly* can to help people get back on their feet after the immediate crisis ends. People do what they have to do to help themselves and their families alive.
Also, I would suspect that all of this stuff will be a loss for these businesses anyway. Do you really think that stores will be able to salvage their inventory if people weren’t “looting”?
This is a really great and smart entry written addressing the racist and classist media converage and reaction by a lot of the public:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/wicked_wish/582898.html
nothing excuses the lack of reaction of the federal government. My house survived the flooding only to be looted during the vacuum created by delay.
I blame the looters for looting, I blame the gov’t for allowing it.
I don’t normally use words like this but when I see all that looting crap on the TV the only word that comes to me is n*#$@#s!
Chris Holt -
You ask why people are putting value on material things above people??? Are you listening to yourself?! That’s exactly what the looters are doing when they grab a handful of jewelery or a big-screen tv! They’re obviously in decent physical condition, yet do they turn to help their neighbors who are sick, elderly, et?? No, they rush out to pilfer meaningless material things.
OH, and for your information, the government you so quickly rush to talk smack about has been very busy in putting together resources to help down there. I live in Washington State, work for a federal agency, and have 50+ co-workers mobilized to head down to that region. They go not knowing where they will sleep, if they’ll be shot at, if they’ll be slammed by another hurricane that could come along. But they’re going. May God be with them.
Get the full story before you start talking trash about a situation that is WAY bigger than you and your silly brain can seem to comprehend.
Start shooting the looters. I will even donate money for bullets.
We could collect the dead looters and determine their ethnic backgrounds and the objects they are stealing. That way we can know if they were stealing to feed themselves or to take advantage of the situation by stealing. We would also know if one race is doing most of the looting. There would be no question, we would have the numbers.
BTW, the pictures of the people in the SuperDome show them not doing anything, just sitting on mattresses and chairs waiting for handouts. If they would get off their lazy butts they could clean up the trash that they are piling up.
As for rescue, if someone ignored the evacuation order and decided to “ride it out”, let them stay on the roof for a week or two. Next time they might be more inclined to following instructions and not be a burden on the authorities.
i agree with all of you that looting to survive is ok but i think it should stop now that help is there i mean look how much things cost already its only making things worse i say stop the looting now
and by the way, our emergency response folks were mobilized Monday morning! Do you really think that thousands of people can just jet right down into the city?
There’s got to be a plan, otherwise they only add to the chaos.
Why do people not understand this??
Chloe says that this country is rich and selfish-by all means there’s the door! Go to another country if it’s so much better there. I would DEFINATELY give to that cause! And I have to say you silly little girl-are you giving EVERYTHING you possibly can to aid?!? Are you going to take your entire pay check and give it some stupid fool that is taking a tv? If so good go and do it. But don’t you dare discredit someone who does donate even one dollar or one can of soup. Don’t you dare! Because that attitude and the one shared by your looting-computer software-buddies is the true definition of selfish! The good people of this society gave to 911 victims,tunami relief, florida last year, and will give to this! How dare you point your finger at them. You are what is wrong with this country-blaming good people, defending the trash! Shame on you. So, where can I send my donation to the “GET CHLOE OUT OF OUR SELFISH,RICH, COUNTRY”????????
this whole incident is upauling…the looting by the non-white population is sickening. i never thought that Americans would act in such a manner. i have been a member of the armed forces for over 15 years and for what? i have defended this country in foreign lands and watched innocent people be tortured and killed and now we r doing it to ourselves. when we r shooting at our own national guardsmen and police officers something has to give, this is very depressing. all i know is i hope u r all right with GOD…
I forgot to mention on my earlier post that my mother used to serve on a board with Michael Brown who is the director of FEMA now. She doesn’t understand how he got this job in the first place. I think a lot of blame will rest upon his shoulders because there is sure to be an investigation into the delays. FEMA is supposed to coordinate with all other responders whether they are the federal government or charitable organizations. It appears that they didn’t do a good job of it. I could have left my home in Dallas with a car packed full of food and water and reached survivors before any official responder did. I wish I had a bigger vehicle and the money to do something like that but instead I am going to apply to be on the National Pharmacist Relief Team. Many people are running out of medications or didn’t bring their medications with them when they left. The media could have played a role in preventing this problem by advising people to take their meds with them and to get refills if necessary. It bothers me greatly to see a diabetic with no medication but then I wonder why they didn’t get it refilled before the storm hit since they had plenty of notice. I’m used to dealing with tornados where there are only minutes of warning before it hits. I wish I could help people now with meds but I’m not licensed in the states affected. Linda
i agree with bruce, if they decided to ride it out than it’s on them. lets pray their kids r safe. as for the looters, it matters not their color but that they need to stop or be stopped. the military needs to be more aggressive in keeping order.i also agree that the people in the footage appear to mostly african americans looking for hadouts and sitting on their “asses” if they would stop bitching and get up and do something about their situation rather than complain about it they may feel a little better. this makes our country look so bad, like we r nothing but a bunch a thugs who act like barbarians….God Bless all the Good People affected..
chloe, u need to get a grip. looting the essentials is ok, but taking guns and ammo, come on now, they r being greedy ass niggers if u ask me. and y r all the looters black? it just looks bad for the black folk of this region and the usa. i thought we had come along way but obviously not. i guess thats what we expect from uneducated folk…i pray that some good will come from this whole mess….proudly serving…..
Linda:
Local residents in Houston are taking evacuees into their homes. One woman has donated an entire house for as long as needed. I live less than a mile from the Astrodome and can see local efforts being made to ease the suffering that are not being shown on TV. Your giving this situation tones of racial discrimination is neither helpful nor factual. If you see a car with Louisiana or Mississippi license plates at a gas station in your area, stop and pay for their tank of gas. If there are kids in the car, buy them some cookies or chips or something. Talk to the people for a few moments & let them tell you their stories of what has happened to them during this devastation. That simple act will provide someone with emotional support that is so desperately needed right now.
RH:
I hope “our” state is better prepared than Louisianna was. We were pretty fortunate on 2-28-2001, weren’t we?
I agree with your comments - organizing a relief effort takes more time than one would think. My thoughts are with the 50 that have left for NOLA. I hope that as many folks as possible can be saved.
Jack:
Thanks so much for keeping us posted. Please continue to do so. I hope that someone can make it in to save the cats. Hopefully, the flooding is as bad as it’s going to get and they will not be in any further danger. I know that the organization “NOAH” and “The Humane Society of American” are accepting calls about stranded animals.
Know that our thoughts are with you.
It is so hard to watch the news reports and see all the ‘refugees’ most of whom are black. If I didn’t know better, I would think I was watching news footage of a catastrophe in Africa or some third world country. NOT AMERICA.
What happened to all the emergency preparedness that we heard so much about after 9/11. How is it possible that the government, both federal and local, was so unprepared to help these people? No one is in control and the police and other officials are running around like chickens with their heads cut off.
What if this were a terrorist attack?
GOD HELP US ALL.
does anyone remember the story of soddam and gommorah? do you think we will give God the credit he deserves?
Charles:
Man, how long do you think it would take to establish provisions for a city the size of New Orleans? 24 hours? 36 hours? one week? Do you think the military establishes bases for tens of thousands of troops over night? It takes a long time to move supplies to where they are needed and set it up.
Jamie:
PLEASE don’t make sweeping generalizations about African Americans, and especially don’t resort to using ugly racial slang.
Trust me, plenty of dignified black americans are just as horrified to see the faces of blacks looting - because YES, it adds to an erroneous stereotype. If the population of New Orleans had been predominately white, you can bet your britches you would be seeing white looters hauling off TVs and DVDs.
Judy:
I love your suggestions of help. I saw a piece on television last night of just that, a family at a gas station where other kind folks bought their gas and helped them with food. It warmed my heart.
Martial law cannot, as of right now, be enforced in New Orleans - the state of Louisiana has no provision for it to be declared.
Just an hour ago, the Secretary of Defense stated that the military is NOT in control of the situation in New Orleans; they are there only to assist in rescue efforts.
As for the looting: it is not a racial issue. However, racial minorities constitute the majority of poverty in most large urban centers. It is to be expected that these individuals are looting.
In any case, how can you justify, EVEN IN DESPERATION, stealing a 50-inch flat screen HD television? Yesterday, I heard a radio show interviewing an racial activist. He claimed that any looting going on right now can be justified.
As for the televisions, DVDs, and computer software, it all lends to one’s survival just like water and shelter. The activist explained that these desperate looters, in the future (when they will inevitably face hard times), will NEED to sell the stolen items to survive.
God damn ridiculous.
Dear Puking Your Guts Out,
I don’t believe that any police officer or national guardsmen would shoot a parent for stealing necessary items such as formula, water, diapers, etc. I believe our President is trying to stop mindless acts such as stealing jewelry, televisions, fire arms, etc. This type of behavior should never be accepted, much less at this point in time! I do wish that we had more military involvement in the efforts to provide food, shelter, etc for all of the poor victims…..but there are so many reasons why we cannot even get into the city to do so. If you feel like you would be better suited during a disaster in another country….then leave. Oh and don’t get too dehydrated from “puking your guts out in Florida”.
Dan:
If God was out to destroy every city that had an immoral element, then he would pretty much wipe out the entire US.
True Christians know that God doesn’t work that way. Unforeseen circumstances befall all humans. When bad things happen, it is actually an opportunity for a True Christian to show love and compassion.
God actually hates self-righteous, bogus Christians - those type of fanatics need to spend more time reading their Bible and less time listening to hateful religious leaders.
I am in CA watching all of this go on through reports on CNN. I’m taking 10 days off to volenteer out there. I’m a little worried about the violance & looting. How bad is it out there?
That attitude the poster Chloe has is why many people who do have money don’t help others as much as they could. Little girl indeed.
In Europe, we just had floods and no looting. In Ukraine, most are very poor and there are frequent floods in Trans-Carpatia. We die frequently. Also, many, many fat people at Sooper Dome, I notice. Why?
There is nothing about black skin that makes people into criminals. There are plenty of white meth-heads in middle america whose behavior during a similar crisis would be as bad as that of these blacks in New Orleans. The issue is one of morality and the lack thereof. There is and always has been a divide in the United States between the civilized middle and upper classes and the unruly and unsocialized poor. In New Orleans, this divide is closely related to the racial divide. That is, white people in New Orleans are 99% middle class or above and civilized, while perhaps 50% of the blacks are nothing but trash. (The white trash long ago left New Orleans.) The only way to deal with trash is by force. This looting is sending a terrible message to America about New Orleans. Can New Orleans really expect the rest of the country to help it reconstruct when all people remember is pictures of looting by black people wearing gangsta clothes?
Once the crisis is over, I think the government should abandon these poor people to a harsh fate. Let them learn self-discipline the hard way. If they can’t earn a living by providing services that other people want, like the various immigrant groups, then they can eat from garbage cans. If they rebel against this fate, then give them a job in prison.
SJL: A nigger isn’t nessicarily a black person. There’s a bunch of white, hispanic, and asian niggers running around. It happens to be that this time the black niggers are splashed across the tv with their ignorant smiles. It’s the behavior not the color. Truth be told though, their behavior down there in New Orleans isn’t helping break any stereotypes! I say get all the good people out, then any dogs/cats, and leave the scum in there to rot!They seem happy enough there.They have all they need-TV (no power good job guys),guns, and liquor!
Judy, as I stated before I would be happy to take someone into my home. I didn’t say that they had to have a certain color of skin before I would take them in. You mention that you can see local efforts being made to ease the suffering at the Astrodome. If you live less than a mile from there what are you doing to help? I will be making a donation to the red cross or another charitable organization despite the fact that I have little discretionary money because I am disabled and unable to work. I wish that I could volunteer as a pharmacist but it is too late for this disaster. In my second post I noted that I am going to apply to be on a Federal Disaster relief team even though the work would take a heavy toll on my body. You failed to mention the most important thing that we can be doing right now-the simple act of praying for others. BTW, before paying for someones gas it would be prudent to make sure that they are evacuees from the hurricane first. Linda
After reading this thread, all I can say is I am incredibly saddened. I am ashamed… for many of you. I am embarassed… for you too. And I am appalled that human beings can be so judgemental, so cruel, and yes, still so incredibly prejudiced against people who are different, be it race or economic standards. What has happened to compassion?
I prefer to believe that we all do the best we can with what we have. And that at times, in overwhelming and traumatic circumstances, we crumble. Many didn’t have vehicles, or money, or other resources to leave with. Some were frightened into imobilization. And yes, even governments, can be blindsided by the gruesome realities life presents.
What are each of you doing? Where is your positive action?
God isn’t responsible for this. It’s Darwin. (read some Malthus, too).
Mark:
Honestly and sincerely, I have never heard the term “nigger” used to describe anyone but a black, african american. Even if it is, we the dignified do not need to lapse into racist slang, do we? Maybe it would be wiser to just substitute your definition of a “nigger” for “criminal”, as that would fit the circumstances just fine.
William:
Regarding your comment: “unruly and unsocialized poor” - at this point in time can we really identify those engaged in criminal activity as the poor? I am sure there were a number of middle-class folks that decided to stay, too - and history informs me that even upper-class and middle-class citizens can turn to looting if given half the chance.
ALSO: I have known many a poor person that wouldn’t think of stealing or brandishing a gun against other folks, no matter how dire their circumstances. Just a thought, okay?
This is absolute insanity. This is not survival, this is out-and-out the criminal element of our sick society always waiting for the hand-out. Yes, I would do the same in similar circumstances, but I would limit myself to water and food, especially for my family. It is always the same element in our society that does the looting i.e. Watts, Bedford Styvesant, Canarsie et al. It’s always the same, the “poor down-trodden” blacks stealing to “survive”. Bull! They steal because it is in their blood, because they are so damn lazy to work honestly like most people do. Always gimme-gimme never contributing anything to our society (except gangster rap and ebonics-jive). Blacks have finally created a sub-cultural society where stealing from the rich is viewed with a certain degree of pride. I say SHOOT THEM ALL! except those just looking for the basic necessities.
Also, many, many fat people at Sooper Dome, I notice. Why?
Because they lack the self-discipline to not eat so damn much and/or to exercise more. This lack of self-discipline is the same reason they are poor. They won’t study in school, they won’t work hard, they won’t save when they do have an income, etc, etc. And, of course, it is the reason they are looting now.
I’m with Bruce. “Ask not what your country can do for you…..” The able-bodied people should be DOING something other than bitching about how their not being taken care of. Take care of yourselves and those who can’t and this will go much more smoothly.
Also, someone mentioned that they didn’t warn people in time to get out, yet I know of quite a few people who actually left in time because of the warnings and are out of harms way. Obviously, these people underestimated the severity. How do you expect government agencies to be prepared for something so unimaginable?
Stop with the whining and blaming the government for not helping…they are doing all that they can. Facts:
*The police/rescue/National Guard were trying to do what they were originally sent there to do - conduct search and rescue missions. Now they are being shot at…. there is no excuse for that.
*It takes a great deal of coordination to get resources to the effected areas. The roads are washed out, they can’t drive in. There are only so many military helicopters available, for every helicopter that is pulled out that means one less helicopter to conduct rescue missions. Civilian copters have pulled out because they are being shot at … can’t blame them for that.
*Looting for anything other than survival supplies is absolutely unforgivable. A TV/VCR/etc… is no help when you won’t live much longer in the disaese filled environment. Many of these people will be dealt with when this under control … and the only way to get it under control is for the military to take over and do what they have to do. There are American civilians shooting at people that are trying to help others… they should be given one warning, if not heeded then they should be shot.
*If these animals would just stay out of the way and let the resources do what they have to do this could be under control a great deal quicker. I’ll say it again, there is no excuse whatsoever for this animalistic behavior. When I see these people behaving this way it makes it hard to be proud to be an American
To be poor is not a crime and it is relative. I am 45 years old and now work with Americans. I had outside toilet in village, but good food, family and fun. Two year ago I gave my wife’s parents a indoor plumbing. During the revolution last year, we slept in tents in the cold, but we organized how we did all the “living needs”. None the less, I think your poor would think I am poor bekaus I make less money than them. I make abot $700-800 a month with three childs.
Ivan
Linda:
You implied in your first posting that the reason people weren’t willing to take the evacuees into their homes was related to their race. Read again what you posted. What have I personally done? I spent the morning at Rice Temple Baptist Church (a church I have never even been into before today) helping with logistical arrangements for a food drive that will be done tomorrow starting at 6:00am. I am scheduled to assist 6:00am to 10:00am tomorrow. My donation to Red Cross was made yesterday. Don’t be so sanctimonious. You entirely missed my point in the earlier posting. Apparently I did not word it clearly, but the intent was clear.
what’s going to happen when the drug addicts start jonesing for their meth, crack, methodone, heroin, etc. This isn’t meant to be a racial thing. I’m being serious.
Posted by: Libby at September 1, 2005 01:21 PM: “…the country cannot fight an immoral war…”
The only thing immoral is the denigration of “poor people” to that of senseless, amoral creatures incapable of surviving without reverting to barbarism. I guess the 20,000 plus impoverished folks who chose to wait this out in a civil manner in the Superdome and elsewhere weren’t quite as oppressed as their thug counterparts. You liberals are so damn arrogant - you simply conclude that it is just too damn hard for poor people to have developed character and grown a spine. How dare you judge that these “looters” were never capable of making a moral choice to begin with.
Well, the killers and thugs have chosen sweetie and you and your idiotic blue-brained ideologues have, for decades, supplied them with the vocabulary of discontent and the “reasons” to justify their actions. After all, you “understand it”; they are downtrodden and oppressed and the man owes them. You’ve taught them contempt for the sanctity of life and the law. You’ve seared “entitlement” into their brains. The “looters” are simply acting in accordance with the script you frigging elitists have provided them for the last half century. Look what the politics and prejudice of low expectations has wrought.
And I hate to break it to you, but the men dying in Iraq are actually engaged in a legitimate war. Yes Virginia, there really is an enemy and there really is a war. Do yourself a favor and Google for the Islamic response to this disaster - you’ll be hard pressed to find anything less than glee, but, hell-I’m just a mid-western, red-brained wench and you just can’t teach this old dog to hate her country.
Remember the movie “Escape From New York.” Seems like a good way to making New Orleans useful!
I think we need to shoot Cris Holt and hang him from a street post. How cares about the looting? Are you insane.
I think I need to give up here.
Some of you posters are completely convinced that the current looting problems in New Orleans comes down to the black community. I think that is completely wrong and rude and it’s a easy way out to explain the problem, isn’t it???
In my earlier posts I tried to explain the population distribution of blacks vs. whites in this community - evidently that fell on deaf ears… I guess horrible diasters bring out the UGLY not only among the survivors but also among the observers.
And for the record, I see plenty of very fat white folk walking around my home town… I wondered if they are judged equally as the black ones??? Somehow, I doubt it.
Whatever.
I’ve got an idea for a Hurricane relief activity: Adopt a Meth Addict. C’mon you bleeding heart liberals out there. Open your homes to a meth addict who needs your love.
Hey everyone I think youve lost the big picture! the looting will happen in any large scale disaster as weve seen many times before, but who cares the property is a total loss anyway. its the people, our own, with no food no water no medical service and having to survived in a hot disgusting enviorment, think of the kids the old. I would think that this great country of our would have troops and airdrops and supplies for all by now! damn it only takes 5 hrs at most to fly there from anywhere in the country! the f***ing goverment is really disapointing me.
MY HEART AND HOPE GOES OUT TO ALL IN THE AREA !!
Hey now, everyone…I’m watching everything that is available from Long Island. I am sick to my stomach. When I spent a few weeks in New Orleans last year at this very time, I fell in love with the city and everyone I met. Everyone here is devastated by what you all are going through. We are trying right now at my job to organize and help out in some way…You are all in our prayers..
SJL:
Don’t leave man. Who’s going to tell us right from wrong if you don’t?! Please stay and be our moral compass. You obviously feel qualified for the job.
As you all read the comments, formed opinions, balanced your thoughts, have you concluded we are living in the “last days of this system of things”? The Bible tells of Good News. What is it? We are accountable for our actions and thoughts. Dispite all of the bad going on you will be blessed for your positive efforts.
I’m in FL and my town is out of gas! What gives? How can the gas industry be in such perl? Do they work on a thread all the time and we just don’t know it? God forbid a tanker truck gets a flat tire-no gas for a week! This is so silly. I am proud to live in the richest country on earth but how come we are here in this perdicament?
Here is what is really going on down there:
Well last night I was watching the 6pm news when they announced the
17th street canal pumps failed as well as another break in the levee.
My house is right off St. Charles Ave. and up to 6pm yesterday is was
the only part of the city that was dry. Since the pumps failed and the
new break St. Charles Ave. would be under 9ft of water in the next
12-15hrs. My brother and I felt if we wanted to save anything we had
to leave NOW. We loaded up flashlights, rope, our medical ID’s, both
our .45 Glocks, 2 shotguns and rode out. En-route we listened to the
radio which broad casted all the news about the looters and what not,
in hindsight it was a mistake. My mother didn’t want us to go by dad
who is a Vietnam vet told to be safe and “shoot to kill” if it ever
comes to that.
One the way we had to pass 5-6 checkpoints to allow entry into the
city. We stated we were medical personnel who were activated, showed
our ID and off we went. On the radio reports were coming in about the
officer who was shot in the head, the 2 gunman who opened fired on the
NOPD station, and how looters were carjacking cars to get out of the
city. This started making my brother nervous and giving seconds thoughts.
Anyway we get to the city and it looks like a freaking war zone. The
best visual I can give is the movie “Blackhawk Down” when all the
Somalians are rushing the city. They are people EVERYWHERE, they are
pissed off, and all have weapons, 2X4’s, Axes, and guns. If this
wasn’t bad enough we are 2 white boys in a truck in a sea several
hundred armed pissed off blacks. There wasn’t a white person to be
found. I couldn’t get over the little 8-10yr old kids with weapons, I
ever saw one carry a claw hammer!
These people were absolutely nuts rammed trucks(stolen I’m sure) in to
jewelry stores stealing items, they were tearing apart Wal-Mart
carrying out TV’s, Playstations, DVD players, etc. One lady was
wheeling out an entire rack of merchandise, not sure what it was but
sure wasn’t clothes for food. They were all laughing and carrying on
like it’s freaking Christmas.
We got stuck in traffic when we see the group of guys walking down the
street w/ AK-47’s, at that point the “pucker factor” kicked in, a
couple Glocks and shotguns were no match for that. We haul azz trying
to get to Uptown when we see these people chopping down the front door
w/ an axe of this $4-5 million dollar mansion on ST. Charles Ave. I
was just in total awe because it was so surreal. Making matters worse
it’s 11pm at night there is no electricity and you really can see
anything or anyone until they are right up on you.
Our plan was to be in and out in 30min, this included putting his
Harley on the trailer. It would have taken me 5-10min tops to get my
stuff, all I wanted was my pictures from college, my clothes/shoes,
and my computer tower. Well he got scared saying we are going to get
jumped while putting the bike on the trailer. Keep in mind this is the
only area in the city that is dry. So just like rats who move to
higher ground these people were doing the same. Word must have gotten
out that Uptown was dry so there started to be a large influx of people.
Needless to say he wanted to go home rather than take our chances.
While it was the smart thing to do I was beyond infuriated w/ him
because we made it this far. He just kept saying our lives aren’t
worth it. So we turned around, our next challenge was getting out of
the city while not getting jacked. Reports came out that people were
jumping in the back of truck holding the drivers at gunpoint. Traffic
started to slow so I just nailed it got out as fast as I could.
Even though he was the voice of reason I’m still pissed. All I have is
my life and the clothes on my back. I lost my house(which is now 9ft
underwater) ALL my clothes, TV, computer, furniture, and photo albums
and videos from childhood and college. What makes this worse is my
brother owned the house and I was a tenant and I didn’t have renters
insurance, hindsight is 20/20.
I also hope everyone of the F*(king looters get Tetanus, E-Coli and
F*(KING drown. I’m serious I really hope the all die for what they
were doing to the city, killing people, and destroying homes. Never in
my life have I ever seen people act live savages, it was truly sicking.
nothing like a natural disaster to bring out all the religious nut cases.
SJL: I did not say race of fat people. It is well known here in Ukraine that many in US are very fat. Many of this type man come here to meet Russian and Ukraian girls. I just am sad to see how it seem to play for yor people
Мыр Вам (Peace to you)
great story ct. sorry your brother is such a *ussy.
looting or a mental state?….ok yes there are some that are stealing for no good reason….but only a minority…..do you people really think that at the moment they have the ability to even think straight???….they are hungry,dehydrated and above all desperate…..they are in a mental state that none of us will ever want to live!! A woman HANDED her 2 month old baby to a woman on a bus and said ” save my child”……the woman grabbed that baby and left……my heart didn’t break…it shattered……people are shooting at officers saying” go save my family or i’ll kill you”…….it’s DESPERATION…..after 4 days …..no food, no water…….do you know the rule of the golden 72 hours…..the first 72 hours are critical to saving lives……we’ve gone past that…..all bush says help is COMING….they want it right there and now and even a couple of days ago…….these people are not just fighting for a bus ride…..they are fighting for their lives….scared for their families…..they probably think they will die…..and it is not a question of nationality!!! they can be black, pink, yellow or purple with blue polka dots for all I care cause underneath the color we have humans with the same body parts and organs as you..people are not thinking straight……please give them a break and do not overjudge them. If anyone should be judged at the moment it would be the great almighty cowboy butch who can go and claim to bring a whole country with completely different thoughts than us but can’t control a dire situation in one of his cities…..the shooting, the looting…..talks of rape at the dome…..doesn’t it kind of look like Irak to you?…tell me what would Butch do if several states were attacked at the same time…..he can’t handle new orleans how can he protect your country?….leave the looters alone and start protesting the help that is NOT given to them……
Hey Pieraud:
How long did it take Clinton to help the people in Bosnia?
How long did it take Clinton to help the people of Rwanda?
Oh, that’s right. He never did. Too busy getting his tool shined, I suppose.
I doubt anyone will read all this, but here goes:
It seems the issue of looting is getting increasily over-simplified here. You either shoot the looters, or cuddle with them. Let’s try something a little more pragmatic:
First, the looting was inevitable. The economic disparity between the races in New Orleans has always been tragic and apparent. There has always been a sense of disenfranchisement made doubly sour by the recognition that the root of this disparity is an increasingly distant historical wrong that has never been “righted” (not that one ever can). This was further exacerbated by the fact that the haves were able to evacuate, while the have-nots got the Superdome, at best. If you want to hear something really sickening, listen to Susan Roesgen’s atrocious report the night before the hurricane, where she talks about the buffet breakfast planned in the hotel, admitting that she wasn’t sure whether there was enough food in the Superdome at all.
Now, once the hurricane passes, you have thousands of people who are not only homeless - they can’t even return to their neighborhoods to see what’s left. They’re stuck wandering downtown New Orleans with no shelter apart from a sports stadium, no food apart from rations… And just down the street, stores and homes full of supplies that no one is using.
Well, nothing levels an economic disparity like a blast from mother nature: everyone starts from rock bottom again. As far as the evacuees are concerned, watching their miraculously preserved homes fall victim to looters… well, this adds insult to injury. As far as the looters are concerned, it’s about time.
This doesn’t mean the looting “should” or “should not” have happened. I don’t think morality plays into this at all.
But the problem with looting is that, left unchecked, it escalates. What began as a show of economic freedom has become increasingly violent and deadly. Now the city is in a state of fear, and if the National Guard doesn’t get there soon, it’s only going to get worse. Hell, they were shooting at rescue helicopters.
That being said, Nagan is doing a wonderful job, considering the circumstances. Yes, a more rapid reponse to the looting would have curbed some if its more tragic developments, but when you have limited resources, you have to make tough decisions: and he chose to channel those resources into rescue missions. Whether it was the right decision or not depends on where you stand - those previously stranded on rooftops throughout the city are happier for it; those under siege at Children’s Hospital… much less so.
Now, I am VERY bothered by the simplistic responses to the looting, especially the level of anger that has been thrown around by both sides. I understand that people are tired, frustrated, and angry… but we need to be a bit more clearheaded about things.
To those who feel looters should be shot on sight: What I find so amusing about this situation is, in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, the mantra was “Our stuff is destroyed, but at least our family is safe. Things can be replaced, not people.” Once the looting started, when still in its ‘televisions and tennis shoes’ stage, the mantra was “Shoot them for stealing our stuff.” Why the sudden reversal? I thought people took precedence over things? You’re worried about someone running off with a television - so what? You can buy another television. They don’t have to right to steal yours? Katrina showed us how much the universe cares about “rights.” Having a looter empty your house during a chaotic situation is no more or less “just” than having one kid born into a wealthy family and another into an impoverished one. Life sucks. Do what you can, and move on.
To those who try to empathize with the looters: You keep making the claim that these people are just trying to survive. Sure, I’ll buy that for the mother stealing baby formula, but you have to be really naive to call this a purely survival issue: watch the news. What did anyone need with a medical supply truck? Why did anyone need to terrorize a hospital? Why did anyone need to shoot at rescuers? Furthermore, a lot of these looters are not homeless and not in terribly dire straits - would you be willing to bet that everyone swiping a television is doing it to barter? What will it take for you to recognize the need for a more pragmatic response? Bring in the military and restore order - you don’t shoot people (you never shoot people), but you definitely crack down; it’s the only way to save a lot of innocent lives that may fall victim to the increasing chaos.
Okay, this is long, and I doubt anyone will read it, but I needed to get it off my chest. It’s been a rough couple of days, and emotionally exhausting. I got my first near-full night of sleep last night, but it wasn’t enough to make up for the fact that I haven’t been sleeping, eating, or managing anything coherent. This is one way for me to deal.
How does everyone suppose we get food for tens of thousands of people to the Superdome in a very short period of time?
Air lift? Perhaps. But without the organization on the ground to receive and distribute food, etc. air dropped, what do you think would happen. Would thousands of people stampede the supplies? Would there be deaths and serious injury as a result. Stop being so simple minded. Relief of this scope can’t just be thrown together and thrown at the needy. Sometimes what seems like a solution creates more chaos.
Disjointed thoughts on the socio-economics of disaster
[Water, water, everywhere ... and all the boards did shrink.
Water, water, everywhere ... nor any drop to drink.
~S.T.Coleridge, from "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner"]
Look at the reporters who are “incensed” by the rampant looting. Look at the smugness from those distant from the situation who chastise the dumb southerners for not evacuating when they had the chance. It blows their minds how many idiots stayed to wait it out. It makes them shake their heads and make “tsk-tsk” noises into their shiny microphones.
Well, fuck the lot of them.
New Orleans and Biloxi are not rich cities. They are poor southern cities disproportionately filled with poor southern people — people who may not have reliable transportation, people who live hand-to-mouth, people who have nowhere else to go, even if they had the means to get there.
And the evacuation was little more than a vague order to get the hell out — under your own power and at your own expense. If you have, at your immediate disposal, reliable transportation, money for gas, and either distant family OR money for shelter, then this isn’t a big deal. Of course you leave. You pack up everything you can and you head for higher ground. But it is somewhat less easy to do if you are lacking any one of these things, AND you have been informed that what little earthly lot you may claim is about to be destroyed. Do you hang on and try to save what you can? Do you let it go and return to less than nothing?
What the hell do you do?
* * * * *
In the sequel to Four and Twenty Blackbirds, there is a scene where a character does something (arguably) quite stupid for $300, here in Chattanooga (another poor southern city). I’ve been told by an early reader or two that this amount isn’t enough — that it’s not believable that he would behave this way for such a pittance.
Well I’ve got news for you all — around these here parts, $300 may well be your rent for a month. When you keep a roof over your head and pay all your bills on $10 an hour, $300 will fix your car, maybe — or maybe buy back your car title from the shark you pawned it to in order to get groceries during a tight spot. If you’re careful, it’ll feed you for eight weeks, maybe longer. $300 can be the difference between going to a doctor or checking yourself into the emergency room, because you don’t have any health insurance and at least the ER can’t turn you away. It’s the difference between taking a sick pet to the vet or tearfully dropping it off at the pound — because you don’t even have any money to have it properly put to sleep.
If every single person in New Orleans had a spare $300 and a car, most of them could have run.
Now turn on the TV again and look at how many stayed.
* * * * *
Look at the rescued citizens.
Some of them probably stayed because they figured it couldn’t possibly be that bad. I’ve been through half a dozen hurricanes in Florida and southeast Texas myself, and each time you hear the dire predictions, you shrug a little. You get used to hearing it. You batten down the hatches, you check your batteries, and you wait it out. I have no doubt that there were people who stayed because they didn’t believe the worst would ever happen. It was a nasty gamble, and they lost.
But watch CNN for an hour, if you can stand it. Look at the people being carried to the edge of the levees. Crippled old women being pulled out of attics. Exhausted families with raggedy, scared-looking dogs being lifted off rooftops. Small children being handed out of second story windows to men in boats. Crying old couples holding hands. These are the rest of the people who did not run.
They stayed because they could not run, and now they might die because they cannot swim.
* * * * *
Opportunistic shitheads are looting for profit, for all the fat lot of good it will do them.
But the looting began out of desperation. People who don’t have the funds to drive fifty miles inland almost certainly do not have the money to stock up for a week’s worth of food, diapers, pet kibble, or bottled water. Come Tuesday morning, the kids were getting hungry. The toilets weren’t flushing anymore. The power was gone, and it wouldn’t be back for months, maybe.
Besides, even if you had money and wanted to spend it, the stores were all closed.
There was no one to pay, and the goods were unattended. What the hell would you do?
* * * * *
Look at the money trail. Everyone knew the levees were in trouble. The city had been begging Uncle Sam for money to fix them, but federal money had slowed to a trickle. At least nine articles in the Times-Picayune from 2004 and 2005 specifically cite the cost of Iraq as a reason for the lack of hurricane- and flood-control dollars. There’s cash to be followed, if you’re interested. Go here and read.
* * * * *
Look at the helping hands. Last night I took some pride and hope in the airboats, battered pontoons, canoes and other assorted crafts that are coming into the city by the score. FEMA managers smiled like the cavalry had come in; men in lettered jackets began directing men in hunting fatigues to various quadrants of the city. Beat-to-hell trucks are backing up to the water’s edge to haul away the sick and injured. It isn’t a proper cavalry, I don’t suppose. They have no uniforms, most of them. They’re the fathers and sons and wives and daughters of soldiers overseas; or they’re bayou folk who heard that warm bodies were needed.
They’re Texans with medical and fire department personnel from Austin and Houston.
They’re power crews from New York and California, making long caravans of equipment and vehicles.
Tennessee is sending volunteers too, because that’s what it does. This morning I passed an old Ford Bronco towing a rickety fishing boat with a sign that said, “NOLA OR BUST.” The driver probably had to take off work to make this trip. He may well have borrowed money for gas. It might cost him overtime, or repairs to that boat, or a trip to the doctor later on — but he’ll have a home to return to, and he knows how bad off he’d be if the waters rose here. And in this way, one person at a time, the nation rallies.
Come on down.
The world is watching.
http://www.livejournal.com/users/wicked_wish/582898.html
Poor SLJ–you are a true representative for those people. Why you might ask? Because you give up when it’s hard, or difficult or seems uphill just like all those “people”. So way to go! The only reason blacks make up the majority of the poor is because they refuse to work, become educated, and take responsibility for there actions. And why should they? They have people like you who give them even more excuses then they can come up with on there own. Had a poor guy a shovel or hammer or weed eater and tell them to go out and find a job-heck tons of white people pay for themselves and the poor people that way! But it’s to hot…but it’s to hard…but I don’t wanna…It’s sure easier to hang out in the hood and get the check on the 3rd just handed to you. I make my kids do chores and work for their allowance..if my kids can do it so can any poor guy!
Brad: I read it. We here are sorry for yours there.
Ivan
No need to shoot without giving the looters a chance to surrender. Order them to lie face down, handcuff them, then throw them into a holding tank somewhere–the more uncomfortable the better. If they resist, then shoot them.
Blaming this on the war in Iraq makes about as much sense as blaming this on Whitewater.
IS there nothing that liberals won’t jump on to further press their political agendas?
The looting beyond food/water is basic criminal behavior, period. I’ve got a wife and couple of kids and have been thinking, you know, I’d bust a window to get food/water for my family. I’d feel bad about it, but not as bad as watching them dehydrate and starve.
The rest of the looting is just the lower dregs of society. I don’t give a flying shit what color they are, declare martial law and shoot a few to send a message before sending more rescuers. Anyone who behaves as those criminals are, against a society knocked to its knees by a natural disaster, doesn’t deserve to be rescued by that society. It is difficult for me to believe that economically disadvantaged people have no (read: aren’t held responsible for) dignity or grace.
Thank you, Ivan. The extent to which people have extended their sympathies has been hugely important in boosting morale. My friends and family thank you.
Brad said @ 03:02 PM
“I don’t think morality plays into this at all.”
Gee, it appears that you went to the same school as the looters.
this is real sickning, dont repair the busted dikes, leave the place flooded, and dont import trouble to Houston,we got plenty.
Oh and one more thing — grace under pressure it what truly identifies a civilisation. It’s easier to be polite and law-abiding when the electricity is on and you’re not hungry. What we’re seeing on TV are the thugs who’d normally be engaged in similar behavior, anyway.
For those who want to politicise this or make excuses for the looters, feel free to invite them into your home and bust a neighbor’s window for them.
just you wait there’ll be stories about people outside the affected areas trying to be nice and being robberd or killed by poeple just like the looters. i can’t believe people are going to invite strangers into there homes it’s a nice idea and sounds nice but just you wait.