"Looting is the Equivalent of Grave Robbing"

[DFWdem]

So says Haley Barbour, governor of Mississippi.

"To me looting is about the equivalent of grave robbing," Barbour said. "We're not going to stand for it."

http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/12501483.htm

And he had a warning for looters:

Barbour and other officials had a harsh warning for those thinking of looting. "I've urged the highway patrol and national guard to treat looters ruthlessly," Barbour said, "The rules of engagement will be as ruthless as the law allows."

http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/12507279.htm



While I don't agree that looting is the equivalent of grave robbing, having ridden out several hurricanes on the MS Gulf Coast in my life (don't live there now though) I agree that looting should not be tolerated AT ALL. In fact, it was common knowledge on the coast after hurricanes that if you were caught looting you were subject to being shot on sight. Obviously that's a bit harsh. However, who is starving after 12 hours? Nobody. There will be plenty of relief workers going to the coast with food, water, blankets, closthing, etc. There is NO EXCUSE for looting.


Edited to add quote

[DemocratSinceBirth]

1. You're Opening Up A Pandoras Box...

If you're stealing a bag of chips and a six pack you get a pass but if you are loading up someone eles high definition tv in your pick up truck you should not be upset if you get a cap behind your ear...

[rodeodance]

2. "The rules of engagement will be as ruthless as the law allows." seems

like a military command?

[DFWdem]

5. Martial Law is not uncommon

Following a severe hurricane. Curfews, martial law, etc. When there is no power and everything is pitch black at night, unfortunately the worst is brought out in many people.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

4. Which one of those is a "cappable" offense is debatable.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

6. I Wouldn't Dust Anybody Over A TV...

but if somebody was driving off with my car I wouldn't lose any sleep if the authorities put a cap in em....

I would prefer they shoot to wound and not to kill but there needs to be some risk attached to blatantly predatory behavior...

[tk2kewl]

3. one minor point...

who is starving after 12 hours? the same people who were starving 12 hours ago

[DFWdem]

7. So what?

There are many churches-per-capita in the area, and any of them would be happy to open up their food pantry to people who are hungry.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

8. Food Robbers Don't Bother Me....

But folks that will use this as an excuse to steal jewelry, liquor, electronics, furniture, etcetera should be preapred to assume the risks that go with such behavior...

[tjdee]

9. Some people have been starving for a lot more than 12 hours.

People are getting so hung up on this hurricane.

There were poor people before Katrina. I'll use the same example. If Jean Valjean has been living on ramen for a month and along comes providence/hurricane/whatever, I'm thinking he's going to take a chance on some meat and potatoes.

Of course, it's within their rights to defend the Piggly Wiggly if they want. Protect that spoiling food that's going to be thrown out anyway!

(I think food/grocery items are a special case.)

[DemocratSinceBirth]

10. Without Electricity How Much Food Would One Want To Steal

Chips and bread would be nice but without electricity I'd rather have a can of Pringles than a filet mignon...

[tjdee]

11. Well I bet someone's going through that food to see how good it is.

I am absolutely sure someone's checking out the ground meat, milk, cheese, etc. and taking a chance on it. The electricity in some places didn't go down until early this morning.

But of course there is a great deal of food that doesn't need refrigeration, nonperishables like canned fruit/canned meat/vegetables/pastas/etc.

[formernaderite]

12. nothing wrong with ramen and veggies....

they're part of a healthy meat alternative lifestyle. And NO...there is no reason to be starving unless you are homeless, deaf and blind and no one communicated to you where the soup kitchen was...and their are plenty in NO. And don't lecture me, I've worked in enough soup kitchens on the weekend to know the regulars and how they work the system...all fine with me btw.