Looters around the city freely cleaning out stores (Amazingly Honest Account)

Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | Natalie Pompilio

[Gardener]

I wouldn't send any money to the Red Cross ever, but there are many other agencies out there trying to help. I will send my money to the ones who have consistently over the years used the money the way it's designated.

[expatguy]

In the aftermath of the tsunami.

Indonesia's system of street justice was in full swing in a refugee camp in Banda Aceh yesterday when this man was caught stealing a mobile phone from a nearby mosque.

He was stripped of his shirt, dumped in the mud and then paraded at the entrance of the camp wearing a sign saying "I'm a thief".

As he shook with fear, camp children who lost everything in the tsunami less than a fortnight ago surrounded him and jeered as their parents and other survivors encouraged them.

The crowd then marched him down the road through the crowd of tents as refugees stepped up to punch him, the children mocking him with chants of "I'm a thief".

[Fierce Allegiance]

A donation to The Red Crosswill help out those with immediate need of food, clothing & shelter. It's not like they are handing cash to looters.

I'm afraid our own federal tax dollars are going to be severley misspent through FEMA to re-house these criminals, along with the truly needy.

Norlins looks like a perfect spot for dredge spoils placement. Fill it in to 30' above sea level, let it consolidate 30 years and start over.

[sharkhawk]

The guy hauling out the fishing rods might have been planning on things in NO being messed up for the duration.

I was thinking the same thing about the guy taking chainsaws. These items are actually useful in the current circumstances. Taking a TV or DVDs, seems pretty insane.

[Dont_Tread_On_Me_888]

I wouldn't send any money to the Red Cross ever . . .

I am in total agreement.

The Red Cross is notorious for begging for money during a crisis but using that same maoney after the crisis is over for everything from drug needles to the addicts, free condoms, and using some money for anti-Red State politics. They will never see a dime from me ever again.

[Hildy]

Of course not, but it's man's nature to blame someone or something right after a disaster like this. I'm just trying to understand people's actions and I'm saying that none of us know exactly how we would react.

On another topic, why can't they take people to relatives or friends in other States. So go around the Superdome and have people call relatives and friends and make arrangements once they get to Houston to get them out of there. Won't the same thing happen in Houston that happened at the Superdome?

[One Proud Dad]

"They should raze the whole place down along with the looters and start anew."

I believe that God just did that. All those years of decadent behavior and loose living instead of building infrastruture...

[stuartcr]

Those people that have insurance and evacuated, are the ones, that will really get hosed. Most of them probably are well off enough to get in their cars and evacuate, but I doubt many of them will be able to afford to live in a motel for 2 or 3 months, without any income. I doubt, that they will be receiving the charity that those that stayed are going to get.

[Hildy]

I too am reluctant to send money to looters and bad people

So you've never donated to a political candidate? :)

[FinallyBackInNH]

Won't the same thing happen in Houston that happened at the Superdome?

The Astrodome has power, air conditioning, running water, toilets, and probably even some reasonable food preparation facilities. And it doesn't have a 5-foot-deep moat around it, so people can actually get in and out.

[soundandvision]

What happens when the welfare state meets a power vaccuum. Scary if you live near a major city of any kind, really.

It is in mine.. not allowed to conceal/carry here in Columbus, Ohio. How the hell would I protect myself and family with savages running in the streets after a disaster. Oh well, screw the law at that point.. protection comes first.

[Hildy]

I hate to even bring this us, but if I were a terrorist, I'd be thinking this would be the perfect time for another attack on our country.

[Ron in Acreage]

They're just being good democrats the way they were groomed to be by liberal democrat politicians force feeding them the ideas that they are entitled to free handouts by the evil majority who have held them down. It's get even time. I'm curious as to how many of the Walmart looters were employees there.

[BookaT]

I would wait to send money. Your Tax $$ will fund the organizations that can give any help there. FEMA will start dishing out some serious cash and of course some of that will be fraudulent payments.

I guess what I am saying is in the USA money is not the problem in this situation. The money is in place. The problem is getting the right things to the right places, which money will not help.

However if you new there was an organization that say would buy boats and put them to good use there now then I would buy that.

I would not just send money to send money, yet.

Sorry if it sounds cold or non caring, it is not meant to be. More money this week will not help. Later on yes but right now I don't think so.

[RexFamilia]

Before the storm hit N.O. I told my wife that many people were staying behind, not to weather the storm, but to wait so they can "clean up" the stores.

She said that I was a cynical SOB.

She has apologized when saw what's happening there

[stuartcr]

Aren't hurricanes, tornados, etc...considered acts of God?

[Hildy]

They should attempt to get people out to family members.

[aimhigh]

Remember how the liberals were screaming about all the looting when Baghdad fell? Where is the condemnation now?

This is the best quote in this post. Thanks.

[One Proud Dad]

I have been writing letters to that effect for 5 years now. It seems our government knows what is good for us better than we do.