I know there's a ton of Hurricane storries today, but this one made me completely change my mind about sending aid.
I had a 10:30 meeting with my company's CFO and head of H.R. to discuss the company matching employee's aid contributions. I've cancled it and am sending a link to everyone on my e mail list urging them to think twice.
The MAJORITY (not all, but the majority) of the aid is going to end up in the hands of animals just like those in the story.
The people of New Orleans can have my prayers, but my money will wait for a better cause.
Owl_Eagle(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,
From what I am seeing on TV, it seems the looters are getting back at Wallmart for slavery.
Don't let the actions of a few deter you from helping all the others.
Or so DU told me.
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".
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.
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
Unfortunately we saw the same thing here during the rodney king riots. It permanately changed some of my beliefs about people.
"They're getting chain saws and fishing poles…”
Honestly, I can see these things as necessities in that environment.
The best aid you can send is cash, just make sure it goes to a responsible organization. Many of those looters as scum who will have no claim or life to rebuild anyways. Hold off for a while until things get organized and there is some structure and planning in place.
If and when a manditory evacuation is ordered, evacuees can only take minimal food, clothes and perhaps bedding. If they want to get on the NG truck with a bag of DVDs or Nikes, no joy... If they refuse and stay, they're fair game.
Allowing this to go on unfettered will cost lives in the future, as it will cause even more people to try to stay behind in impending disaster zones either to take part in the looting, or to protect their property from looting.
To allow or defend this is extremely short-sighted.
Gee, I hope those being evacuated to Houston don't think they will get the same kid-glove treatment if they decide to get out of line. If the Houston cops don't kill them, the average armed Houstonian will. I'll bet MS didn't have the same ugly behavior in their minority districts. I think their black population is a cut above the ones we saw on TV yesterday.
You are inevitably going to be paying for them in the long run. The consumer prices across the country are going to be increased to make up for the $$ lost due to the looting.
Lotsa-love-in-this-thread ping.
I felt the same way about sending money to New Orleans after watching the video of the looters. I wish that I could direct the money to Mississippi, where the damage was more from the immediate impact of the storm, rather than slow flooding.
Makes me wonder - How are they planning on getting all of this stolen loot out? There is a 2 day evacuation order which means they will probabaly report to the Superdome and hop on a bus or duece and a half and take the only road out of town. I don't think the National Gaurd loading those trucks are going to allow people to bring on microwaves, DVD players, and HD TV's.
You know, Owl Eagle...kinda hard to disagree with you. Pathetic people...