Posted on 09/02/2005 5:23:21 AM PDT by OESY
...Of all the bad news from New Orleans, the most disturbing has been the reports of spreading disorder, with looting, marauding gangs and even sniper fire at helicopters and rescue workers. Americans sometimes expect their government to do far too much....
One reason for the New Orleans breakdown is the size of the calamity, whose growing severity caught nearly everyone by surprise. Louisiana National Guard troops that were deployed initially for rescue and relief efforts weren't available for the more basic duties of public security. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is also geared to providing relief, not order, and only yesterday did the federal government begin to focus on the potential anarchy. Among our political leaders, only Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour seemed to appreciate the genuine risk of disorder, with his early warnings that looters would not be given the benefit of the doubt.
By the way, the allegation that enough National Guard troops aren't available because many are deployed in Iraq doesn't hold up under scrutiny. The Louisiana Guard has something like 3,500 men and women deployed in Iraq, but that leaves another 8,000 or so troops available for post-Katrina duty, and neighboring states undamaged by the hurricane have still others who could be called upon. All told, the Pentagon now estimates that 30,000 National Guard troops will be deployed along the Gulf coast, and another 3,000 regular Army soldiers to pursue the armed gangs on the loose. Our advice is: Do whatever it takes.
One frequent reaction...: New Orleans is typical of Third World countries, something that was thought could never happen in America. This happens to overlook a fair chunk of U.S. history... including riots and violence. But it is also a sign of complacency born of prosperity and the resilience of our legal and civic institutions....
(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...
The inner-cities in every major US city are just like NO - potential powder kegs with third-world conditions. This is not new - what is new is the lack of civil control that allows that element to run amok. It would have been the same here where I am in Atlanta. The responsible people got out of Dodge and left the helpless with the thugs.
If I understand correctly, Martial Law has been imposed on LA. It's time to exterminate these cockroach thugs and gangs out as if they were Taliban or Al Qaeda
"Louisiana National Guard troops that were deployed initially for rescue and relief efforts weren't available for the more basic duties of public security"
All citizens caught shooting at relief helpers or raping or battering other disaster survivors need to be immediately rounded up and put in "PRISON CAMPS".
They are the equivelant of war time enemy combatants and should now be treated and arrested as such for obstructing search, rescue and relief efforts.
"This happens to overlook a fair chunk of U.S. history... including riots and violence."
Riots - and who starts riots? I lived in Miami during the riots and they weren't Cubans out there.
Don't wait so long to shoot somebody...
Yes but Prison Camps Where? What city and state?
Bleeding heart liberals, why doesn't katy and matt offer their HOMES to these people?
If liberals can't portray diversity by the varying ethnic makeup of their criminal masses, they simply reflect it in their stolen loot.
The population of New Orleans is 67.25% black. WSJ and the MSM in general would be the 1st to scream racism if law & order was enforced.
Forget prison camps...summary execution on the spot.....
Tie them high on the nearest streetlight and hang a cardboard sign around their neck that say's "LOOTER"....
15 or 20 of them posted around town and you will think your in church for the rest of the evacuation....
NeverGore :^)
At first, I could understand the chaos due to the hurricane but now it's getting ridiculous. After hearing the Mayor of New Orleans on the radio, he's clearly incompetent. If I were President Bush I'd fly into NO and land at the Superdome along with several Chinooks of armed NG troops. Announce that, "I don't know what's wrong with the government down here but we're going to clean up the mess now" then start establishing secure zones for the decent folks. Obviously, someone needs to take charge of the situation.
Yes, they should be in prison camps. How about Gitmo?
Response: Or perhaps the "element" lacks self control?
That's not fair on the people already there. They would feel degraded to have to mix with people who loot their fellow citizens in hospital beds.
YES!
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