MAKING EXCUSES, Police spin can't turn looting debacle around [Louisiana]

Times-Picayune/NOLA ^ | March 26, 2006 | Jarvis DeBerry

[ncountylee]

You saw what you saw. I saw what you saw. Anybody in the world who was paying attention to New Orleans in the days after Hurricane Katrina likely saw what you saw: New Orleans police officers in the Tchoupitoulas Street Wal-Mart, their arms full of merchandise they couldn't possibly have needed and obviously had not bought.

nly the ridiculously rigid would criticize anybody -- police officer or otherwise -- for taking items that the person genuinely believed were necessary to survive a life-threatening crisis. But only the ridiculously partisan would argue that police officers carrying out fishing rods and reels and DVDs were doing anything to sustain their own lives, let alone the lives of other people in need.

Nevertheless, the top brass of the New Orleans Police Department recently informed us that our eyes deceived us, and that what we all perceived to be the sight of officers looting was, in fact, the sight of officers following their superiors' orders.

Earlier this month, the Police Department cleared four officers of looting the Wal-Mart, even as it punished them for letting others loot.

"It was determined that all four officers had received permission from their commanders to get clothing for their officers who were soaking wet," Police Superintendent Warren Riley said. "They did not steal anything."

Really? Did a little old lady at the door run a yellow highlighter across their receipts?

No? Well, chief, that probably means theft.

[abb]

"You gonna believe what I tell ya, or you gonna believe your lyin' eyes?"

[Recovering Hermit]

But only the ridiculously partisan would argue that police officers carrying out fishing rods and reels...

Come on now...they were going to catch fish for food.

...and DVDs were doing anything to sustain their own lives...

Come on now...these were probably training videos on how to fish.

[Safetgiver]

And we're rebuilding this town because why?

[coconutt2000]

"It's okay ma'am, I'm a cop. Now scoot out your purse and hand over your money. I need the money to help me pay my bills, so I can continue saving lives."

I don't suppose the article made any mention of the cops who commandeered a hotel room and filled it with loot, and later drove off with as much of the stuff as they could take with them. The eye witness was extremely credible.

[Mr_Peter]

Not sure I could find much of anything to steal in a WalMart. Wouldn't be worth the effort. Then again, I'm not their target consumer (single mom on welfare).

Somewhat tongue in cheek, so don't blister me with abuse.

[stevem]

Fishing rods? Well...

I fairness and charity we need to recall that these police were trained by the Big Easy. Katrina must be looked on as proof that there is a God, and not a God of retribution...if you are a cop.

[L98Fiero]

"Not sure I could find much of anything to steal in a WalMart."

Quote I read from the Wal-Mart security guard: "They took everything but the country and western CDs."

[GOP_Proud]

I guess the dress shoes that were being "lifted" by the 2 policewomen that the reporter caught red handed were for a formal dinner to be held while they waited for rescue.

[OldFriend]

One thing that is not being publicized is that one of the first things looted from the WalMart was the gun inventory.

Ultimately, WalMart was looted to the walls.

[backhoe]

Not sure if the links within the links still are live, but look here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1477692/posts
Police Join Looting of New Orleans
msnbc channel 4 locla news video ^

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1473980/posts
Looters Strip Stores in Front of Cops
Fox News ^ | Aug 30, 2005 | Associated Press

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1476221/posts
Police, residents loot New Orleans stores after storm
Columbia Daily Tribune ^ | Aug 31

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1474029/posts
Looters around the city freely cleaning out stores (Amazingly Honest Account)
Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | Natalie Pompilio

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1476209/posts
Demoralised officers give up the fight
The Australian ^ | 09/03.05 | Jacqui Goddard, New Orleans

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1476644/posts
Bob Parks interview in San Francisco Chronicle on "Looting"
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 9/3/05 | Jonathan Curiel

http://www.freedominion.ca/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=44714&highlight=
An opinion piece on looters

Sources:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1475443/posts
HURRICANE KATRINA- archive of links
various FR links & stories | 09-02-05 | the heavy equipment guy

[On the Road to Serfdom]

Your kind of a picky shopper for a single mom on welfare.

[Mr_Peter]

Who you calling a mom :-)