Posted on 08/31/2005 5:33:35 PM PDT by Syco
Just announced on WWLTV. The Mayor of New Orleans has just declared martial law to deal with the looters. No Miranda Rights, etc.
Whatever one thinks about what should have been done about the levees is irrelevant. Keep in mind that public officials knew the levees would be inadequate for the storm that was predicted. All the more reason that they should have implemented an evacuaction plan.
I have this mental picture of one of them positioned on a wall, looking something like a gingerbread man, all sprawled out.
I like your sign. It would be the crowning touch.
"Loot at your own risk suckaaaa!"
Bet he could probably get a couple platoons of well armed Freepers with experience in eradicating vermin.....
I understand the emotional ties, but completely losing cool and harassing officers trying to establish some order and relief really doesn't help the situation. It isn't as though they aren't helping, it's just this is a massive disaster and it takes time. A couple days without water won't kill anyone either.
What is amazing is that NO is beginning to look like Baghdad. Now the libs have a chance to show us how easy it is. OK, we're waiting.
Never happen!
Don't surprise me none.
That is not acurate. You are confusing the people who actually were too poor to leave with those who chose to stay and loot. Not everyone has a car, a tank full of gas, money for bus fare or someplace to go. Many stayed with people too sick to travel. Not everyone had the resources it to evacuate. They are, in fact, refugees.
I said this to someone else the other day. If 80% of the populace got out, all but the infirmed of the 20% should have gotten out too.
Geez, if my arse was on the line, you'd see it beside one of the roads leaving town. Thumbs up folks. Any takers...
Heck they could have ridden in the back of a pickup if nothing else.
Exactly.
maybe they could have done something to mitigate the damage somewhat years ago to the structures, obviously people should have all been forcefully evacuated and without needing the President's admonition, but the past cannot be changed. They should have focused on the here and now, bringing order to chaos. Instead they've brought more chaos. How ever bad it may be in other states, this state is far and away out of control and I blame it on the lousy leadership of the Governor and Mayor. We were attacked by terrorists on 9-11, and act of war, and Pataki and Rudy didn't have these sort of problems. Jeb handled half a dozen hurricanes in short span last year, we didn't have this type of problem.
The Governor of the state, and the mayor, need to be shoved aside and replaced immediately.
I think it was announced twice, but some of the NO LEO took a break to do some looting of their own.
It is disgusting when some so called humans will prey upon their fellow man at such times.
A platoon of FReepers. Now that's a scary thought.
It would be like herding cats.
Absolutely true!!!
I heard that the Army Corps of Engineers had to shut down their web site cause they were receiving so many suggestions on how to plug the levees. Here is mine. use the bodies of dead looters.
I hear ya. I think it's debatable what power this guy has to do anything at this point. City resources are for the most part destroyed. The governor has more resources at her disposal. I guess it's reasonable to think that together they could do more. I still think they are so far in over their heads, they can't see which way is up.
Take care.
Martial law is not in the Constitution nor is there a specific provision for it in US Code. However, some states have laws for it--maybe Louisiana, I dont know. Plus, even though there is no law, there is precedent at the state and national level. It was used in the Civil War by Lincoln and in varioius states over the years because of strikes, riots and the SF earthquake.
Martial law, btw, does not necessarily mean shoot on sight etc, it normally just means military control of law enforcement, detention, and courts. It can include curfews, suspension of habeas corpus, and restrictions on movement and so on. Use of force rules will be promulgated by the authority declaring martial law--I haven't heard what those rules are yet, if martial law has in fact been declared.
Well... yes.
The old "politician vs. statesman" contrast is pretty visible (or invisible) in NO right now. So just where are these parish pols? Are they out heading citizen patrols they formed to stop criminals from robbing (or doing worse to) their constituents?
You are so right.
Bush should declare a national security emergency, announce the US military will enforce federal martial law and civil rights in those areas have been suspended, with all that implies.
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