[liberallarry]

Penn is finding out how difficult it is to get even simple things done...but at least he's trying.
I like the story about someone commandeering a bus.

As for the looting. I can see it both ways. Many of these people are society's dregs...touching wealth for perhaps the first and only time. But maybe they're stealing from someone who's worked damn hard to get what he has - so shoot them.

A friend reminded me that the Irish of a century and a half ago had the reputation blacks now have - and for the same reason; they'd been treated like dogs for so long that they acted like dogs.

[B Knotts]

The biggest problem with allowing looting to go on is that it will encourage people to stay in the disaster zone in the next impending disaster, either to guard their property or to take part in the looting.

So, ultimately, it is about saving lives.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

Well, Blacks received their freedom 142 years ago.

[blake6900]

A friend reminded me that the Irish of a century and a half ago had the reputation blacks now have - and for the same reason; they'd been treated like dogs for so long that they acted like dogs.

Yeah, well your friend must be very old now to have been around then. Seriously though, the Pavlov's dog analogy doesn't work here. Knowing the difference between right and wrong is not a difficult concept. At least not for humans. Surely you're not saying these people aren't human, are you. (pssst...see, this is the part where you backpedal, ok?)

[little jeremiah]

Exactly who has been treating black people like dogs? That was a crazy statement.

So because some black people alive today had great grandparents or great-great grandparents who were slaves means it's just fine for them to act like vicious animals?

Are you out of your freaking mind?

[oneamericanvoice]

Penn is indeed finding out how difficult getting simple things done can be without his personal assistants. I'm sure it will be a really great column for Berkely or Al Jazzera. He should stay home out of the way, and let the professionals handle it.

[NittanyLion]

A friend reminded me that the Irish of a century and a half ago had the reputation blacks now have - and for the same reason; they'd been treated like dogs for so long that they acted like dogs.

Yep. Too bad the ones treating them like dogs are the Al Sharptons and Jesse Jacksons of the world.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

So what is the purpose of your comments anyway? Trying to start a flame war succinctly? Trying to stir up reasonable doubt? What?