I would loot to survive. However the images coming out of new orleans don't look like that's what is happening. Most of the video I see is people with stereos, guns, etc.

Saying that, there is no reason for people to be in new orleans right now. There is no reason why people died. And what really eats me up are teams of rescue personel have to put their life on the line to rescue idiots. People are dead because of stupidity. It truely pisses me off that there are children trapped on rooftops because there parents are ****ing ****ups.

When we found out it was a category 5 we were on the road within an hour (on friday). There is really no reason to board up your house when the storm is that severe. I'd much rather live with no house than die in it. That's why I think of all natural disasters a hurricane, with our current technology, is the "best". We had two days notice and were long gone before it even started drizzling.

I disagree that not everyone could get to shelter, the metro buses ran until sunday afternoon (for free) getting people to shelters. The louisiana transit vans were bringing those that couldn't make it to the bus stations. And the ems system was bringing people who need medical attention. People stayed because they thought it wouldn't happen to them.

 

historically, world-wide, looting has been a death-on-sight offense.

The presence of dead bodies has nothing to do with the degree of offense - would it be worse or better if there was no dead body to step over? Should they have moved the body before the theft? Should we be thankful they at least didn't step on the body?

 

The superdome is a mess and they lack food & water and have to evacuate within 48 hours. And alot of people probably didn't have money for a hotel even if they did have a ride out of the city. Now there is no choice. The whole city has been ordered evacuated.

On top of that, people probably figured the media was over-hyping the intensity of the oncoming weather since that has been the case recently.

 

If you see the badges in my sig you'll know why I take this so seriously.

If it's food or water or things that are needed to remain alive I can't blame anyone. The people who are robbing, car jacking, shooting at cops and others, and who remained in the area so they could steal need to be removed from the gene pool.

In the case of the people breaking into homes to steal belongings, they need to be shot to death on the spot. The area would be better for it.

How many know that New Orleans is already well over 1000 murders for the year? There's an entire subculture in the area that lives for violent crime. Being poor is no excuse for the rampant murder in the area.

After Andrew in South FL. people armed themselves and it was widely known that they would shoot to kill. Looting was not a big problem.

 

I couldn't agree with you more. This storm was forecasted DAYS in advance. People knew (generally) where it was going and that it was going to be severe. It's not like a tornado that pops up out of nowhere. Everybody should've made an effort to pack up and head on out - even if that meant going to a city sponsored shelter.

Had that storm (at that intensity) been predicted to make landfall anywhere near Florida, you can bet your bottom dollar that we would've boarded up the house as best we could, packed up some belongings and gotten out of dodge!

 

Jason, that is true now. However, it did serve it's purpose (keeping people safe during the storm) and the people there will be taken out & moved to a safer place. If you're there, you're more than likely going to survive. Compare that to the person who chose to ride out the storm in his/her house that got flooded and then the person has to wait for help on the roof or, worse yet, drowns in the home. Being rescued from that situation is not as certain as being rescued from the Superdome w/ 20,000+ other people.

 

The media does hype things, I agree. However, government officials and the hurricane center do not.

May I also add that a police officer has been shot in the head by a looter.

 

I just talked to a friend of mine on the rescue teams, he said the looting is so bad they had people actually trying on shoes to make sure they stole the right size. There is constant gun fire through out the city and a lot of the looters are carrying guns. He is truely scared for his life and is volunteering to put himself in the middle of shear chaos to save those that wouldn't save themselves. He has much more courage than I could possible dream of. The rescuers have been ordered shoot to kill looters if they are in danger.

He brought me to tears telling me a story of a man they tried to rescue. He was cut from head to toe b/c he had to kick his way out of the attic. When they pulled up to rescue him, he would not get in the boat. He would not leave his 10 yr old daughter who was dead, drowned, in the house.

 

Are all of the rescuers armed????

 

No, not many. He said many of the police don't even have guns right now.