[GovernmentShrinker]

Food, diapers, and practical clothing aren't luxuries right now, they're necessities. Many people are drenched in foul floodwater and all their clothes at home are drenched and/or inaccessible. The government officials and emergency workers are saying publicly that they have no way to get necessities to people who need them, and some have explicitly sanctioned taking them from stores. I have no trouble giving the benefit of the doubt to people who are non-violently taking this sort of stuff. Armed looting of hospitals is a completely different matter.

[AmericanInTokyo]

If starving, with no hope of rescue for the time being, lack of food or water, yes, I could condone a human being panicked out of his or her wits trying to get just some food for sustenance.

In many of these photos, and videos, though, what is being stolen does not appear to be absolute necessities. Just look at the smiles and laughter on the faces of some of these people, and also the constant scoping left then right then left for the "86" (out of guilt) which shows they damn well know 'right vs. wrong' and that they are willfully commmiting 'wrong'.

Any person of honor would, after taking necessities, make an ammend afterward to the owner of that store.

With armed gangs going after drugs however, taking hostages or taking luxuries, I'd say, terminate on the spot as a message to others.

[MizSterious]

So, what would you have the police do? Inspect all looted goods to make sure only potables and diapers are taken?

Ludicrous. If you allow any looting at all, you're giveing a green light to what we're seeing now. They test, they see how far they can go. Thanks to those who think looting is ok, they're taking over hospitals, and there are probably no limits to the evil they will do until someone stops them.

[calex59]

Oh, yes and the dvds and vcrs and tvs are necessary for their survival also. No looting is acceptable. Yesterday Wal-Mart was trying to hand out necessities to people but they were overrun by looters and had to give it up. Most of these people are not taking food, diapers etc. They are taking electronics and other devices they think they can sell after the disaster is over.

Looting was not necessary because supplies were being handed out to people who needed them. Shooting looters is the only way to restore order, and that means the cops who are looting should also be shot on sight when they are observed looting.

[jb6]

In which case, the military/police should have cased off all the grocery stores, pharmacies, etc, confiscated all necessaties, inventoried them for future payment and began distributing them at official check points. This is irresponsability on the part of the government and heads had better roll by the dozens in NO.