Looters in New Orleans
 

Anyone else get steamed after seeing pictures of people looting in New Orleans? Taking food is one thing but boxes of Timberlands? Televisions? Stereos?

I think those vultures should be shot on sight. :mad:

I completely agree with you. The food, water, etc I have no problem with anyone taking. Maybe some clothes- maybe, depending on how much you take. But there TVs, 30 football jerseys, beer(come on people, its just gonna dehydrate you more), radios, I have a problem.

I think the scariest looting, however, are the people who took all the guns from the Wal-Mart and other sports stores. Those people are now shooting at officers and others who are trying to help them. The newspapers were reporting of rooving bands of gunmen around the city. Now that is a shame because at some point, its going to get too dangerous for volunteers/rescue workers to get around the city and they'll have to pull out leaving people behind who otherwise could have been helped.

I just posted in the Hurricane Katrina thread... Just read that they are shooting at the military helicopters that are evacuating the sick and elderly from the Superdome so the helicopters had to stop.

This appears to be what starvation, dehydration and desperation do to some people.

Anyone who shoots at gun at those trying to rescue people deserves to be shot on sight themselves.

Why would you shoot at rescuers?

What is the logic behind that even??

-Rudey
--We need to declare martial law

In one news report there was a cop pushing around a shopping cart full of stuff just like every other looter.

When one of the former midshipmen we used to sponsor told me that when he was flying Navy relief missions in Indonesia he carried a gun, I immediately thought "What kind of idiot would try to hurt someone who is providing aid?"

I guess I overestimated people. Remind me not to do THAT again!

Many (not most, but many) of the people who ignored the evacuation order are the poorest of the poor, and of that population, some are of an evil persuasion. We're talking about the bottom rung of N.O. society. A gangbanger is not going to turn into a well-behaved good Samaritan in a time of crisis.


Edited for spelling

It has already been declared, Rudey.

I did a search and found this:
"Contrary to many media reports, martial law has not been declared in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, because no such term exists in Louisiana state law[4]. Rather, a state of emergency has been declared, which does give some powers similar to that of martial law. On the evening of August 31, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin did declare "martial law" (in name at least) in the city and said that "officers don't have to worry about civil rights and Miranda rights in stopping the looters."


The thing is that on Good Morning America this morning they talked about how President Bush was considering declaring martial law. Maybe that's on the federal level or something...

-Rudey

The way I understand it, Louisiana is under the Napoleonic Code system of laws rather than the Common Law system that we have in the other 49 state. There exists no provision withinin their system of law to declare martial law.

I feel sorry for the lawyers that only know that system. They're going to have a hell of a time finding work.

If they can speak French they could always try Quebec....

As for Martial Law - the provision does not exist... but the provision to call in the military to render aid to the civil athourities does... unless Louisiana has modified that provision under the Napoleonic Code.

I am from New Orleans born and raised. Anyway, I pity those poor people who are looting. They honestly have nothing and they are looking for something they can grab on to and have as their own. I don't like to see them looting for TVs and other big things but food, well if I was hungry and desparate I might do the same thing.

I really think this shows just how poor some people are in our own USA. I think from now everyone should ONLY support local USA charities.

Hey does anyone know if any other countries are going to send aid or if the actors who did the Tsunami Relief stuff are going to do the same for Hurricane victims?

I'm just happy my family is alive from all of this...

Well, the Aceh area was filled with rebels and pirates (yes, pirates). The strait of malacca is one of the most dangerous sea way in the world when it come to pirates, even though it's one of the most important route for international trading. Then you have a breakdown of law and order where the police service for the province was completely wiped out.

There was a story where the Indonesian military was escorting NGOs into rebel areas and the rebels started shooting at the convoy. The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian military was nearby and heard the gunshots. The guy picked up a rifle and with his staff, he ran to the area and started to shoot back. Imagine the Chief of Staff for a military being in the frontline shooting back at the enemy.

Venezuela have offered to donate $1 million. Heard the European are considering giving their oil reserve to offset the shortage. I know Canada have offered some help, not really sure what. The rest are waiting to see what kind of help is needed. They're waiting for the US government to officially ask what kind of goods and services are required.

Canada has offer to send both our civilian and military disaster response teams, as well as Search & Rescue teams and equipment - only problem is we are still waiting for the go ahead from Washington.... the pressure on the PM to do something has gotten to the point were the PM will be calling Bush today to ask for permission to send the troops and volunteers in...

Yup, the Bush administration have not asked for help. The American Red Cross hasn't asked for help either.

I know is not much, but the tsunami survivor in Aceh have held prayer services for the Katrina victims.

Harry Connick Jr is organizing a concert

Connick was born and raised in New Orleans, developing his music in jazz bands and at clubs in the French Quarter. His father, Harry Connick Sr., served as district attorney of New Orleans for 29 years before retiring in 2003.

"Everything that I have professionally, and so much of what I have personally, is because of this great, fair city," Connick said. "And to see it being drowned like this is almost unbearable."

He will join a televised fundraiser, A Concert for Hurricane Relief, Friday on NBC, MSNBC and CNBC (8 p.m. ET) that also will include performances by Wynton Marsalis and Tim McGraw.

Just a reminder...
 

That's great what the other countries and people are doing so far to help.

Donating to Red Cross

I'm sure they could use blood donations too...

Red Cross/ charities
 

I saw a show(Dateline or 48 hours) after 9/11 on charities. The jist of the show was to point out how little money actually donated to a charity actually goes to the victims. I think charities are only required to spend 10% of their donations on the victims. They can spend as much as 90% on overhead. The head of the charity can be driving a Bentley and paying himself 7 figures.

Does anyone know what percentage of Red Cross donations actually go to victims?

Snipers at the Charity Hospital in Nola. Saw it on BBC News.

Well, New Orleans cops aren't exactly known for being pinnacles of morality, so this really isn't that surprising . . . .

Everyone is worried at this point. Food and Water are life sustaining.

To have people stand there after the actual first day saying they are not getting Help. What The Hell? You just dont move so much food and medicine and water over night!

It is time that some Countrys Give USA as We give $$$$$ for anything.

No one ever thought this would happen. It Did!

LXA Has a Site that is set up for any GLO to connect to to Donate anything to the needy. Check some other Threads.

Once again, K C is in the fore front doing and giving. But these asswholes in Atlanta gouging on Gas is uncalled for.:mad:

Hell, only 3.06 when I came Home tofday and going Higher from what I hear.:(

So Much For Economy!:rolleyes:

Re: Red Cross/ charities
 

I seem to remember a few charities getting in big trouble for this after 9/11. Particularly the one hosted by all the celebs and by the redcross.

Something like a billion was collected, but next to nothing was actually distributed until it was taken to court or the media let it loose.

My mom works for the Red Cross. After 9/11, the President of the Red Cross was fired/resigned/was asked to leave (whatever you want to call it) specifically for the reasons stated before. If you go to the Red Cross website, you can designate where the money goes (i.e. Hurrican Relief). From what my mom said....the money WILL go to Hurricane Relief.

I am pretty sure there will be some scrutiny over who is giving what (in the way of charities). Especially after 9/11. I am sure there are even some scammers out there raising money for "hurricane relief" only to put it into their pockets. Nowadays, nothing will surprise me....

From an e-mail I received from a fellow Masonic lodge brother. It's prolly already making the rounds of the net, so don't shoot the messenger:

Is race an issue?
 

I'm watching Primetime and they mentioned 2 photos and how they protrayed the looters. One shows and African American male wading through water with a bag and the caption mentions him looting. Another pictures shows a White male and female and says that they "found" food.


Why the difference? Did they both not take items that didn't belong to them? A large number of the people who are left in N.O. are Black/poor and have been protrayed like animals in my opinion. In desperate times who knows what you'd do to stay alive...

Can I agree with messenger??? I am sorry to admit this, but I had noticed this also. I can understand taking food and diapers, but the expensive items (shoes, video games, etc)?!?! It makes me madder than hell that these people almost seem proud of what they are doing, along with seeing younger people participating.

I am not sure what can be done (the police definitely have their hands full there....) about this. Personally, I would go with the shoot on sight policy.

I am sure we are going to hear Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton crying "racism" about this. But the proof is in the video!!


Now...I am not saying that every Black American is participating in this activity. Let me not generalize it that way.

I am now ready for the flaming to begin!

Local news just reported looting in Houston.

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck... will they ever learn?!?!? :mad:

Re: Re: Red Cross/ charities
 

I have two friends who have been affected. Any $ or anything I donate will go directly to them. I have no desire to send $50 to the Red Cross only to have them spend $100 trying to get me to donate again. I wish all charities would cease and desist from putting everyone who gives them a damn penny on their mailing lists. I gave $ to the Salvation Army after 9/11 and they haven't left me alone since.

My advice is to give through your church or another organization, so you won't be continually harassed with more requests for funds.

Re: Is race an issue?
 

In my opinion it should be called looting - even if they are taking food and water... looting is looting, stealing is stealing - and it should be described as such. Now does that mean I think those taking food and water are animals? Nope. People looting food and water stocks from stores (not each other) are acting on survival mode... not greed.

As for the other looters taking merchandise, or people setting fire to businesses, or those shooting at hospitals and rescuers, or those raping and killing - they are all animals regardless of skin colour or social background.

Now I have a question: A number of times the news stations (BBC, CNN, CBC) reported that the members of the National Guard have been fired on while conducting rescue and relief operations... isn't the National Guard armed? and if so why did they not neutralize the threat to the operations either through direct or indirect action?

Re: Is race an issue?
 

Here are photo's that are stirring up all the controversy. Personally i think it probably has to do with the different sources of the photo's more than it has to do with racism. Yahoo says on their site that they take the captions and photos as is from the different wire services and don't edit either, so they are really just the messenger of the photos.
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/20...ersy/story.jpg

Re: Is race an issue?
 

On another message board I frequent, someone said that the black man MUST be looting because he had a garbage bag that seemed to be full of stuff. :eek: :mad: :eek: What the......

So one is still presumed "looting" because he has a garbage bag instead of a nice Jansport backpack? So during a major crisis, it is the type of bag a person has that will make the difference between being labeled a criminal vs a victim? Lord help us all....or me rather because I haven't owned a backpack in years.

I shake my head at people sometimes. :(

Re: Is race an issue?
 

Well I think for the most part, people make a distinction between people breaking into a store for food and water and those going around trying to get televisions (do they even work with the water damage?). I think that was one of the problems the police have had to deal with.

-Rudey

Re: Re: Is race an issue?
 

I honestly disagree. I think this is another case of racial bias in the media. Why is it possible for White folks to "find" yet Black folks "loot" in a situation like this.

Re: Re: Re: Is race an issue?
 

I'm not going to hop on the "obvious example or racism" bandwagon just yet, for three reasons:

One - two different sources, so two different guidelines for reporting on the disaster.

Two - different post times, were again changes in reporting could have been dictated as the scope of the disaster unfolds.

Three - don't know who the reports are, afterall they could be "black" or "white" or something else... and until this is know, or any of these others are know it won't be possible to place these pictures in context.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Is race an issue?
 

The first point you make is true; however, further digging reveals that one of the sources (AFP I think) had other pictures in which the African-American subjects were referred to as "looters" while that one picture of whites said they "found" their supplies. However . . . the photographer came forward and said that in that particular instance, the whites in the photograph had literally found the supplies they were carrying -- they had not looted them. So I don't think we can infer much from that one particular incident.

Still, I think it's pretty obvious that there's been a racial bias in all of this. Somebody in the other Hurricane Katrina thread (lifesaver?) said that he didn't think that it would have taken this long to rescue these people if they had been white. I have to agree. And I think that part of the reason that these people remaining in New Orleans have been portrayed so savagely is so that we can all feel better about the fact that they haven't been rescued yet. I know it's been proven time and time again on GC that I have a rather Marxist view of morality that most of you don't share -- but why aren't more people questioning what kind of poverty you would have to live in that would drive you to the point where you're willing to risk your life to acquire TVs and jewelry when you might not even have a house?

In the defense of some of the actual good cops, they too have family & friends that need the supplies (as long as it's food, water, clothes, & baby supplies). Many of them have quit their jobs simply b/c they chose to take care of their families in this time rather than try to help protect the city. I'm not saying it's right but they had a choice to make so they chose their families. It's when I see these morons looting TV's, stereos, & jewelry that really pisses me off. That shit isn't going to get you anything right now b/c it's not needed. Food, water, & medical supplies are what's needed.