340 killed in inferno (Customers locked into burning supermarket)

Evening Standard ^ | 2 August 2004 | Chris Millar

[GVnana]

Unfortunately, trial lawyers are more likely to happen than something that actually benefits people. The state of our current health care system is an obvious example. Good doctors are being driven out of the profession because trial lawyers have learned to milk the system.

Ugh. You're probably right. You got me thinking. A 100 years ago, in this country, it wasn't the lawyers, but churches and civic minded women reformers who watchdogged public safety. That role has all but vanished. Too bad, really. We're political, and secular and very un-"civic".

[brianl703]

Even if Paraguay had these building codes, all it would take is a pay-off to get someone to look the other way.

[GVnana]

See mine #41.

[Physicist]

Yes, and all this stems from respect for human life. Which is why religion, especially Christianity as it is more numerous, should be protected from attacks by the atheists.

Is Paraguay not a devoutly Christian nation?

[GVnana]

Even if Paraguay had these building codes, all it would take is a pay-off to get someone to look the other way.

I'm afraid you're probably right. You have to wonder sometimes. The French allow themselves to be ruled by legal elites. Latin America is rife with corruption and abuse of the lower classes. What allows their public to tolerate these abuses, when we have such a history working in another way?

[GVnana]

Not locking the doors after the fire broke out would've helped, too.

That's just murder.

[foreshadowed at waco]

It must come from the same low down mentality that the Saudi police used several years ago when they locked dozens of young female students in a burning school because they were trying to escape without their headscarves. Almost demonic in its reckless disregard.

[VeritatisSplendor]

Is it true? The owner could not have locked all the doors himself without an electronic system; would the security guards be that far in the "ve vere only following orders" mode?

Mrs VS

[Truthsayer20]

I wonder what the libertarian anarchists, who oppose any public regulations including those related to fire safety, think about this incident.

[AnAmericanMother]

I think the best thing of all will be to pray.

[Chemist_Geek]

Yes, it'll be interesting to hear from the so-called "property rights" crowd...

[jackibutterfly]

"It must come from the same low down mentality that the Saudi police used several years ago when they locked dozens of young female students in a burning school because they were trying to escape without their headscarves. Almost demonic in its reckless disregard."


Not "almost", but "definitely' demonic.

[steveo]

For a second I thought it was Mel that did it.

[I still care]

I saw a truck with a big handlettered sign on the back today:

THANK GOD

I live in the USA

[Salvation]

Cal; Senator Edwards. He will sue their socks off. (Sorry, Sandy Bergler.)

[Salvation]

Prayers for all these people and their families.

[Freebird Forever]

after security staff locked doors to prevent customers from running out

How islamic of them.

[sphinx]

We should send a bunch of our trial lawyers to Uraguay.

Too late. The fire's over.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Too late. The fire's over.

Maybe we could find an empty wooden warehouse somewhere.

[TopQuark]

I did not claim that the spiritual foundation was a sufficient condition: I only suggested that it was necessary.