Up against the wall, mofo….
This morning’s Chris Rose article hits a bit closer to home than usual, given that my business has fallen victim to looters twice since The Late Unpleasantness. Though I don’t always agree with what he writes, I think he raises an excellent point these days, as The Recovery finally begins showing signs of actual forward progress.
It’s obvious our police are overwhelmed — even more so than before. Our firefighters can’t even get enough water, fergodsakes — in part because it’s leaking more than a pissed-off White House underling. So what do we do?
I’m not a fan of vigilantism — especially when it comes to me actually putting my 52-year-old white-boy butt potentially in the line of fire. And I’m particularly not a fan of most of these private patrols, which strike me largely as composed of individuals who are too old/fat/dumb/hot-headed/xenophobic/whatever to actually remain in the Real Military or Guard and reserve (I know there are exceptions — most of the Garden District patrol guys seem okay. It’s those alternative black-clad goons I’m talking about) . My belief is that the role of government is to do for the public what the public cannot do for itself (coin money, provide national defense, etc). If this isn’t an example, then what is?
The wheels of this city are finally rolling again, albeit slowly in too many areas. I miss the Humvees and the uniformed presence in areas still too weak to stand on their own.
Governor?
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it is crazy out there– maybe the murder rate is down but it seems all other forms of crime have gone through the roof in the past couple of months. not only do I know several people who have been victims of looting, but I know people who have been mugged and beaten, had guns pointed at them, cars broken into, etc. the criminals know that our courts and jails are not functioning and are using this to their advantage. I’m not a big fan of vigilantism either but it seems as with everything else here, if you want something done you better do it yourself, because nobody else is gonna help you.
Hey Chris,
What’re you gonna’ do when you’re in jail for murder
and they won’t accept self defense.
Laurie
What planet are you living on? People don’t go to jail for murder in New Orleans.
great comment, chris ;)
I’m not even five feet tall I can commit murder
according to the federal government cos’ I’m too short to prosecute!
Laurie
The governor could send help via the state police but she won’t, she could also send the nat’l guard to help.
Without order or fear of getting caught the bad guys will continue to plunder New Orleans. It’s as if Jean Lafitte and his merry band of Pirates control the city.
BTW-A friend’s son in the La Nat’l guard has been called to active duty to prepare for hurricane season.
Let’s sucede.
Laurie