Pissed off--Looting

[lotsafuzz]

Been home all day (still trying to kick the ick) watching this horrible drama unfold in NO (and the rest of the coast).

The pictures of looting are making me ill.

I have to say, I don't have a problem with people getting food. For some reason, THAT doesn't bother me. Maybe that is wrong headed, but that's just my take.

What is pissing me off is watching people picking through a Walmart picking up 'crap' (arm loads of clothes, cd's, ect). Are these people just stupid?? They are being evacuated for Christ's sake! Do they really think that fan they stole (that there is NO electricity to run and won't be for at least a month) is going to go with them?

Fucking idiots!!!!

Ten bucks these fucking idiots are going to be the ones, as the waters continue to rise, that end up screaming for help. That expect other people to put their lives on the line to save their stupid, worthless hides.

[newslady]

What gets me is how many of them look directly into the lens of the camera and smile. No shame, none whatsoever. No common sense, either. Don't they relaize they can be identified by law enforcement?

In a time of disaster, people whould pull together, not create a chaotic and lawless atmosphere.

[oddish]

Amen to that Fuzzy.

I saw an interview with the President of Winn-Dixie, I think it was. he said pretty much the same thing. The people taking the food items didn't bother him one bit. It's all a total loss anyway by the time they can get back in there and he'd rather have someone use it if they can but the other stuff????

I can't get over the selfishness. You're right they will be the same people whining for help. If you gotta loot why not go steak a boat, use it to help some people. I'm sure right in the heart of it there is something productive and helpful one could do if they put their minds to it.

[oddish]

Not to mention shootings are being reported. Good grief.

[chococake]

I agree. I just watched that on the news. People have died and others need to be rescued. Just where do they think they're going to wear those clothes or the other meaningless stuff they're stealing? Food, yes I could understand.

[lotsafuzz]

[QUOTE=newslady]What gets me is how many of them look directly into the lens of the camera and smile. No shame, none whatsoever. No common sense, either. Don't they relaize they can be identified by law enforcement?

QUOTE]

I know, just fucking stupid.

Saw, what I consider, young kids...started thinking, "where are the parents?!?!" *Stupid, I know....I've been teaching long enough to know better than to ask questions like that* Yep, sure enough, there is MOM two lanes down filling her cart.

Im getting bitter in my old age, but I keep thinking: Shoot the fuckers!! Of course, they are probably better armed than the cops at this point.

[foptiludrop]

I haven't watched any news for several days (been *that* busy) but have kept up (sort of) with everyone in the hard-hit areas and been so happy to read that (as of last night -- please tell me nothing has changed) all of those folks are okay.
Really just popped into this thread cuz my jaw dropped when I saw Lotsa's nic and wanted to say, "How the heck are ya?"
All those of you in the path of Katrina have been in my thoughts and prayers whether I've been 'here' or not. (But you knew that, right?)

[lotsafuzz]

And another thing....yeah, Im being pissy today.

For fuck's sake, GET OUT OF THE WATER!!! This ain't your pool!!

Im talking not about the people who are trying to get out, but the fucking idiots who are strolling down the lane (with thier kids, of course) just having a grand ol' time. Hope they get bit by some pissed off cotton mouth.


GRRRRRR.........

I don't know WHY I still get suprised by stupid people, I really should know better!!

[oddish]

I have this mental picture of Fuzzy hovering over these people in a helicopter lowering something down to them. They take the item and turn it over to see...


Here's your sign! Idiot

[lotsafuzz]

Ok Oddy, that got me! :1chirol_r

Actually, Im thinking of something along the lines of:

"Yep, you're a FUCKTARD...NEXT!"

Hey ya' Foppy!

[saabsister]

"lowering something down to them"

Dropping something on them would be more appropriate. I can understand taking food but it's not like they're gonna eBay the other items for money. Who the hell has working computers?

[Purjal]

Lotza, LTNS! I agree with you 100%, I don't care how down and out you are and I know some of these people are extremely poor, but to take advantage of this situation is just sad. The food thing, yeah, I can go with that, but who really is in need of toys, and games and CDs right now with no electricity or drinking water? Just another display of the worst in some humans. :1wall:

[newslady]

For fuck's sake, GET OUT OF THE WATER!!! This ain't your pool!! . . . Hope they get bit by some pissed off cotton mouth.

I'm sorry but I am LMAO here.

[lotsafuzz]

And now Im reading (haven't heard anything on the TV, but am flipping around) that a police officer was shot in the head (but lived) while trying to stop a looter.

Maybe because of the reaction of 99.9% of people after 9/11 I really expected better of people.

And I agree, I has nothing to do with poverty.....I've got kids (students) who are poorer than dirt, and yet I can't see them or their families pulling this crap.

I even tried to justify the woman who had an armload of pants/shirts. If you are soaked to the skin and no way to get that nasty water off, maybe getting new clothes.......but a whole rack? WHY grab a rack of pants, there will be at least 6 different sizes.

*Sigh*

PS: Was watching Anderson Cooper at 5 (is that CNN?) and they were showing a seal in a parking lot. People were trying to keep it alive and they were going to update, but I missed it. Any one see what happened to the seal?

[socrfan2]

Hi Lotsafuzz.

Yes, people who think any disaster is an excuse to steal things are pretty bad.

Now that you mention Anderson bleeping Cooper, that's another of my pet peeves, this new breed of "X games anchor" who seem to think it's great fun to head off for any big storm. I'm sure the local police are just tickled pink to have all these anchors and their hair stylists and wardrobe consultants and makeup techs hanging around on the beach. I wonder how many thousands of people see Anderson and say "wow, that looks really cool, I think I'll stay too."

[foptiludrop]

I'd follow you anywhere, Socrfan... ;)

[kailin]

Somebody (well, Nancy Grace) was just reporting that martial law has been declared, but I had to leave the TV and didn't catch whether that was in Louisiana or Mississippi?

And was it declared by the federal gov't? She was saying something about 1st time since Hawaii in WW2.

[kim]

socrfan...

state of LA - attorney gen. wants to clarify - no such term - "martial law" - exists in the state of LA - however - the LA governor has declared official state of emergency - which:

...(quote)...

..."gives authorities widespread latitude to suspend civil liberties as they try to restore order and bring victims to safety. Under the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act of 1993, the governor and, in some cases, chief parish officials, have the right to commandeer or utilize any private property if necessary to cope with the emergency.

Authorities may also suspend any statute related to the conduct of official business, or any rule issued by a state agency, if complying would "prevent, hinder or delay necessary action'' to mitigate the emergency.

It also gives authority the right to compel evacuations, suspend alcohol and weapons sales and make provisions for the availability and use of temporary emergency housing"...

link: http://www.nola.com/newslogs/breakingtp/

...(scroll down to third story)...

[kim]

ooops - excuse me - kailin - i see it was you who asked about that...

[Aadani]

I saw where the poliece shot the seal a few times in the head..to put it out of its misery :/

[kim]

oh... :(

[Aadani]

I dont think we are going to be getting any 'fuzzy feel good' stories out of that area of the world for a long time :/

[newslady]

Well, Nawlins enjoyed the dubious distinction of being the murder capital of the U.S. for several years now.

[Heartland]

Food, liquids, medicine, and staples like diapers, toilet paper, etc. I can totally understand.

I hope the rest of the morons find some way to drink their new, expensive electronics to keep from getting cholera.

[Therp]

'Looting' to keep yourself alive is one thing, but those people just seem to be grabbing whatever they can get their hands on. Not only is it a wasted effort on their part, unless they have some way of airlifting out their goodies, but it's taking away valuable effort that could be going into finding and helping the people that really need help.

I say let 'em kill each other off and focus on getting to the people that need help.

[wasabanker]

Any food stuff in any sort of packaging incuding cans that has been touched in any way by flood waters is considered unusable so folks who may have had full pantries could well be without edible food. I just can't seem to recall any third floor grocery stores in the New Orleans area where their foodstuffs may have remained uncontaminated. So it would seem that the looters are merely looting toxic unsafe foods.

Later, in the topsy turvy courts where no one is responsible for their own actions, the folks who get ill from this stolen food will sue the stores they stole from. And win.

[Shadowcat]

Nothing to add but wanted to say hi to Fuzzy...

*waving*

Hiya, Fuzzy!

:D

[krisinluck]

I have this mental picture of Fuzzy hovering over these people in a helicopter lowering something down to them. They take the item and turn it over to see...


Here's your sign! IdiotAbsolutely perfect!

When the bit on looting hit the TV here, I got pissed. Said something about it, and the Boy said "Mom, they gotta eat". I said I know they gotta eat, honey...and the ones taking food? No problem. All of it will have to be tossed anyway. But those people they just showed didn't have *food*. They had crap that is just going to end up in the mucky soup that is rising in their homes!

As for that "toxic gumbo" water...I look at that and wonder if I'd have the guts to wade through it to get out of my house to be evacuated, and here are these idiotsticks walking around to gawk. Eww.

Sorry to hear you are still feeling crappy, Lotsa, but I'm glad to see you posted. :)

[cmhaas]

I saw a piece on the news where a family went back to their home to check out the damage and found they had been looted. It's bad enough going into your home and seeing all the damage from the storm, but to find that someone was there before you and took all your valuables. That is just really sad. And this particular family was not rich. From the looks of it, they were lower middle class. I just felt so sorry for them.

[krisinluck]

Now the looters have targeted a hospital. Not just any hospital, mind you. The Children's Hospital, with a hundred sick children in the building.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/?feed=TopNews&article=UPI-1-20050831-07295700-bc-us-katrina-looters.xml

I feel sick to my stomach.

[zeldas]

One store owner decided to take the matter into his own hands. He sat in front of his store with a sign.
"You loot, I shoot," it said.

[toolkins]

The looting makes no sense to me. I kept thinking what is wrong with those people!! I can understand to a certain degree, the women that had a pack of diapers in their hand, but to be taking just because they think they can get away with it, bah! What will they do with the stuff? I figure most will end up as a garbage heap. I guess that alot of it can be sold amongst the victums that need it.

Are these people really afraid that there will not be any help coming with food, clothing, etc., that they couldn't wait just a few days for it all to be organized. I'm not sure if the looting is driven by fear, need, or just plain ole the thrill of stealing.

Though, I kept wondering about the guy with his pants falling down around his butt, didn't they have any belts left?!? LOL

Tina

[Heartland]

I saw one family picking through their destroyed home. The woman looked to be around 60, and she was packing a BIG gun on her hip. Good for her!

Maybe if so many of our National Guard weren't off fighting in a foreign country, there would be enough of them to protect a few cities in this country while the search and rescue mission is ongoing.

[Toy Ranch]

Only black people loot. White people just find stuff.


http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/ap/20050830/capt.ladm10208301530.hurricane_katrina_ladm102.jpg
http://news.yahoo.com/photo/050830/480/ladm10208301530

A young man walks through chest deep flood water after looting a grocery store in New Orleans on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005. Flood waters continue to rise in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina did extensive damage when it made landfall on Monday. (AP Photo/Dave Martin) Email Photo Print Photo
http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/afp/20050830/capt.sge.cyn78.300805074130.photo01.photo.default-268x384.jpg
http://news.yahoo.com/photo/050830/photos_ts_afp/050830071810_shxwaoma_photo1

Two residents wade through chest-deep water after finding bread and soda from a local grocery store after Hurricane Katrina came through the area in New Orleans, Louisiana.(AFP/Getty Images/Chris Graythen)

[saabsister]

Jeezy peezy, where's yahoo's damn photo editor! What a discriminatory bunch of crapola!

[newslady]

Jim Romenesko is discussing the issue here:


http://poynter.org/forum/view_post.asp?id=10186

[larruone]

Just as perspective on the above photos...

Perhaps the "looter" was observed exiting the store, while the
"finders" did just that... found the bread floating along.

Food for thought... ;)

[rossshow]

http://www.otwa.com/community/showthread.php?t=33216

Spaz is talking about the racial element in the reporting.

All I know is I am starting to get VERY worried about my friend Skip.

[rossshow]

Is there a flood map anywhere?

[rossshow]

http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showthreaded.php/Cat/0/Number/91991/an/0/page/0#91991

Wow! Son of a bitch. Skip may have lucked out by 2 blocks! I do hope he's OK. But, according to this, his house wasn't in the flooded area.

[krisinluck]

I also noticed the blacks being called looters and the whites called survivors. Yes, it's wrong.

That said, the fucktards who hauled off racks of clothing from the Walmart are just fucking stupid assholes, I don't care what color they are. What the hell are they gonna do with that? How 'bout the CDs? Are they going to sell this shit on eBay?

And the video this morning of either cops or security officers in uniform helping themselves to the almost bare shelves at Walmart seriously pissed me off.

The necessities...you gotta have it, you know? Diapers. Bottled water. Food. But a bucket of beer? NO.

grrrr.

[rossshow]

http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showthreaded.php/Cat/0/Number/91854/an/0/page/0#91854

that might be a better overlay

[toke]

I think we have a major failure of imagination happening here. I mean...we all know, sitting here in the comfort of our nice dry homes, in front of our spiffy computers connecting us to the world, that looting is wrong.

But we should really try to imagine, if we actually DO care enough to try and understand, how it would feel to be desperately poor in that place. So poor, you had no chance to get out. So poor, you never, EVER had a chance to own the goodies you see every day on TV. The DVD players, pretty jewelry, fancy NEW clothes, etc. Then imagine the whole city was suddenly deserted and looked like a freaking candy store to a hungry kid. PLUS, you were left behind like the garbage you know they think you are. Why the hell not take what you can? The PTB got out and left you to die there...so to hell with them.

Obviously I'm not talking about garden variety criminals and corrupt cops...just poor folks.

Yeah. Looting is wrong...but I can't seriously blame them. Not from the security of my safe little house. I just can't.

[lotsafuzz]

I've been going over this all day at work. Was away from the TV all day, and really tried to work my mind around the type of thing Toke is saying.

Still can't do it.

I don't think ANYONE would say that getting food/meds/water (hell, even beer since Im guessing the bottled water is long gone).

Still can't wrap my mind around the rest of it. What is the point of having a tv/vcr/whatever when there is NO electricity and there isn't going to be any time soon. The whole flipping city is being evacuated....do people REALLY think they are going to be allowed to haul that TV they just stole with them?

My kids (students) are dirt poor. They and their families have been shit upon by 'the system'. I tell them every day...EVERY DAY....that it is no excuse for not working hard and NOT an excuse for bad behavior.

How do you excuse looting a hospital? How?

[Heartland]

Good point, Toke. Food for thought.

[toke]

Still can't wrap my mind around the rest of it. What is the point of having a tv/vcr/whatever when there is NO electricity and there isn't going to be any time soon. The whole flipping city is being evacuated....do people REALLY think they are going to be allowed to haul that TV they just stole with them?

I think the real point is just to HAVE the goodies in your grasp. Own them...even just for a while. All those things you've only dreamed of possessing. It's maybe like hope, which certainly doesn't have to have any foundation in reality, and usually doesn't. I don't think logic has one damn thing to do with it.

[nobs]

Until I can get it all together in my mind, I won't really add anything except that my heart aches every time I see devastation and human suffering.

I just had to post to say HI Fuzzy , it's good to see you! I hope all is well with you!

As much as I want to keep watching the news, I think I need to take a couple hours of reprieve. It is so overwhelming.

[nobs]

Oopsie ...

HI Toke-sis! :1neko5: