Now "Oppression" is an excuse for Looting

[Darakash]

:rolleyes: From New Orleans:


One man, who had about 10 pairs of jeans draped over his left arm, was asked if he was salvaging things from his store.

"No," the man shouted, "that's EVERYBODY'S store."

Looters filled industrial-sized garbage cans with clothing and jewelry and floated them down the street on bits of plywood and insulation as National Guard lumbered by.

Mike Franklin stood on the trolley tracks and watched the spectacle unfold.

"To be honest with you, people who are oppressed all their lives, man, it's an opportunity to get back at society," he said.
from Yahoo News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/katrina_looting;_ylt=AhpvRip.QOPK7YBC10UvMD2s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--)

Egad! I agree with the Mississippi Gov (I think it was he) who said that looting in these disasters is equivalent to grave robbing....just disgusting!

[Valnorran]

This was the same "justification" for the Rodney King riots.

[stephy-sama]

THat's sad. Do they realize that they are stealing from someone, not just a store? I mean, people are about to return to damaged and destroyed homes, and now their shops are going to be looted as well? Think about it, you jerks. :(

[Darakash]

Yep and Yep!

The King riots took money right out of the pockets of people just as "oppressed" as the rioters....

And, you are right, I think people forget these stores are owned by other PEOPLE...not some oppressive regime! Urgh, makes me want to vomit!

I lost EVERYTHING in Hurrican Frances last year, and I would NEVER have stolen from someone else to make myself feel better or whatever....It took me almost two weeks to even consider contacting FEMA, cuz it felt too much like getting something for nothing....how on earth does one justify this kind of behavior in one's own mind?

[Doctor Jeep]

Get back at society...by stealing chips and soda? :rolleyes:

[Trithemius]

Oppression always seems to be the convenient justification used by these types of thieving scum.

[WokeUpDead]

There's never a bad excuse for looting.

[Valnorran]

....how on earth does one justify this kind of behavior in one's own mind?
By spending one's life thinking one is entitled to something.

[DragonsChest]

There's never a bad excuse for looting.


:confused:

[Windigo]

There's never a bad excuse for looting.

We've all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true.

[Jenne]

WUD always says something hyperbolic borderlining the surreal. He's sort of artistic that way. He's a post-modernist without the angst, lol.

This looting business just makes me ill. If Pacific Beach were to have some disaster and mob mentality led to the looting and subsequent destruction of the shop my brother owns and where I work, I think I'd be beside myself with grief (and this coming from someone who's grieving all the time anyway).

[pawnman]

Time to start shooting the looters, if you ask me. It has all kinds of benefits:

1. It stops the immediate looting (because the people doing the looting are dead).
2. It discourages future looting.
3. It conserves emergency supplies that would be expended in caring for the looters.
4. It conserves time and energy on the part of the police, since they won't have to rescue the looters.

[DragonsChest]

Vetteman and I were discussing this tonight - we are of the opinion that the looters should be shot on sight. Jackels.

[stephy-sama]

Now I'm hearing on the news that the majority of looters are getting food and water. Now I'm not sure where I stand. Stealing is aweful, but the idea that some could be doing it becaues they are starving the death saddens me. Maybe the ones stealing TVs should be shot, but the ones stealing food and water should be rescued? I don't know. I feel bad for the store owners AND the starving looters now... :( Such a difficult situation.

[pawnman]

Now I'm hearing on the news that the majority of looters are getting food and water. Now I'm not sure where I stand. Stealing is aweful, but the idea that some could be doing it becaues they are starving the death saddens me. Maybe the ones stealing TVs should be shot, but the ones stealing food and water should be rescued? I don't know. I feel bad for the store owners AND the starving looters now... :( Such a difficult situation.

Maybe the starving ones can get in line with everyone else at the Superdome.

[Darkdale]

Vetteman and I were discussing this tonight - we are of the opinion that the looters should be shot on sight. Jackels.

especially the ones shooting at police and FEMA workers.

[LostInControl]

Food and clean water are running out in the city... people have children and babies that they have to be concerned about.. and if there isn't anyone there to sell the items, and the objects are just there.. I can understand why people are taking those object. Food, water, and any items for babies are necessities. They shouldn't be penalized. Beside, alot of the food is just going to go bad anyways. What I don't have tolerance for are the people that are robbing Wal-Mart and electronic stores for items that aren't a necessity. These people need to stop and think for a second, because they obviously are going to be evacuated anyways, where to they plan on putting all these TV's and DVD players that they decided to steal.

[stephy-sama]

Maybe the starving ones can get in line with everyone else at the Superdome.

You mean the superdome that is surrounded by 8 feet of water, has no plumbing, over flowing trashcans, no food, medicine, and water, and had 6 people die in it in one night? That doesn't seem like a viable option.

Besides, the superdome is currently being evactuated. It'll take more than a few days (a week maybe?) to evacuate them alone, not even including the starving people in the city. That's more than enough time for many to dehydrate. I'm sure we haven't seen the end of the deaths at the superdome either.

[stephy-sama]

Food and clean water are running out in the city... people have children and babies that they have to be concerned about.. and if there isn't anyone there to sell the items, and the objects are just there.. I can understand why people are taking those object. Food, water, and any items for babies are necessities. They shouldn't be penalized. Beside, alot of the food is just going to go bad anyways. What I don't have tolerance for are the people that are robbing Wal-Mart and electronic stores for items that aren't a necessity. These people need to stop and think for a second, because they obviously are going to be evacuated anyways, where to they plan on putting all these TV's and DVD players that they decided to steal.

Yes, exactly. I mean, stealing is horribly wrong, but for food in water in a disaster area it doesn't seem like there is much of an alternative. Steal or die? I'd probably steal too.

Hopefully aid will get there in a few days and this can stop. But it's not quick enough.

[Chibi-Fallon]

Vetteman and I were discussing this tonight - we are of the opinion that the looters should be shot on sight. Jackels.

What if you need diapers or baby formula or something? If your house is gone what are you going to do? I mean taking stuff you don't need shouldn't be done, but food and blankets are things people need and it's not like someone is there that you can give your cash to.

[DragonsChest]

What if you need diapers or baby formula or something? If your house is gone what are you going to do? I mean taking stuff you don't need shouldn't be done, but food and blankets are things people need and it's not like someone is there that you can give your cash to.


Yes, I've already posted in other threads that I have adjusted my thinking on this matter, and that life essentials, such as water, food, meds, etc., do not fall into the category of stealing, because of the catastrophe situation. TVs, jewelry, DVDs, those are not essentials, and people seen carrying those away from stores should be shot at looters.

*shrugs* Sorry I missed this thread to post that change in attitude. I try to be everywhere, but sometimes I miss things.

[Chibi-Fallon]

Yes, I've already posted in other threads that I have adjusted my thinking on this matter, and that life essentials, such as water, food, meds, etc., do not fall into the category of stealing, because of the catastrophe situation. TVs, jewelry, DVDs, those are not essentials, and people seen carrying those away from stores should be shot at looters.

*shrugs* Sorry I missed this thread to post that change in attitude. I try to be everywhere, but sometimes I miss things.

Never mind then. :D

[DragonsChest]

Never mind then. :D


Not a problem, hun. My original posts sounded very snooty, and it was when I saw a man on the tv say that he and his family were walking out of N.O. but needed food and water to help them, that I realized my stance was wrong.

[atropa]

By spending one's life thinking one is entitled to something.

Resounding yes!! Also, I would most definately steal diapers or food to sustain my family. TV's and stuff, that's wrong. Parade them through the streets and publicly humiliate them.

[pawnman]

Resounding yes!! Also, I would most definately steal diapers or food to sustain my family. TV's and stuff, that's wrong. Parade them through the streets and publicly humiliate them.

That takes too much time and manpower. Shoot them and be done with it. One less person for the Guard to rescue, one less mouth for FEMA to feed.

[pawnman]

What if you need diapers or baby formula or something? If your house is gone what are you going to do? I mean taking stuff you don't need shouldn't be done, but food and blankets are things people need and it's not like someone is there that you can give your cash to.

Gee, maybe try the aid organizations like the Red Cross and FEMA before wandering into downtown New Orleans to break into jewelry and electronics stores.

[Flar's Freyja]

:rolleyes: From New Orleans:


from Yahoo News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/katrina_looting;_ylt=AhpvRip.QOPK7YBC10UvMD2s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--)

Egad! I agree with the Mississippi Gov (I think it was he) who said that looting in these disasters is equivalent to grave robbing....just disgusting!

I could get tons of red karma if I voiced what I thought when I noticed the race of the majority of people who were complaining about not enough help on CNN this evening. I was wondering if they were the true majority of the population, just the ones who refused to evacuate or if it was deliberately shot that way.

And I never would have believed that I could even think this way until I worked in a place that practices reverse discrimination - the State of Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

[pawnman]

I could get tons of red karma if I voiced what I thought when I noticed the race of the majority of people who were complaining about not enough help on CNN this evening. I was wondering if they were the true majority of the population, just the ones who refused to evacuate or if it was deliberately shot that way.

And I never would have believed that I could even think this way until I worked in a place that practices reverse discrimination - the State of Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

Just wait until Al Sharpton flies in and proclaims looting is the "God-given right of his people" and a form of "social justice".

[Devi]

I could get tons of red karma if I voiced what I thought when I noticed the race of the majority of people who were complaining about not enough help on CNN this evening. I was wondering if they were the true majority of the population, just the ones who refused to evacuate or if it was deliberately shot that way.

And I never would have believed that I could even think this way until I worked in a place that practices reverse discrimination - the State of Oklahoma Department of Human Services.



What is reverse discrimination?

[Incendia]

Reverse Discrimination IMO- Automatic discrimination towards whites (especially white men) by minorities which is often justified as "an entitlement".

[Devi]

okay I still don't exactly get it
I mean why do some white people discriminate against minorities..... probably prejudices and feelings of entitlement

if someone is being discriminated against then its discrimination I don't understand why the reverse is added :whatmewor

[Incendia]

No, the comment about affirmative action wasn't a joke, but I took it out because I realized that it might sound offensive. You are right...discrimination is discrimination period. Generally, people will say "reverse discrimination" when a minority descriminates towards the majority, because it's usually the other way around.

edited to add- Some people feel that affirmative action is a form of reverse discrimination, but then again...that's just opening a whole new can of worms...

[Devi]

Sorry about that..... I'm kind of zipping back and forth between forums and didn't notice the change ! :tongueout

[Incendia]

No problem! :)

[Garnet]

I could get tons of red karma if I voiced what I thought when I noticed the race of the majority of people who were complaining about not enough help on CNN this evening. I was wondering if they were the true majority of the population, just the ones who refused to evacuate or if it was deliberately shot that way.


I have heard several times on different news programs & channels that N.O. is a very poor city, that many of the people who didn't evacuate had no means to do so...they don't own cars & have no money for travel. Many of those people were apparently forced to stay because of their financial staus.
I have also heard that emergency response agencies have been slow to respond, simply because they were unprepared for the magnitude of the disaster. (I have CNN on now).

Honestly, if I had kids that were hungry, thirsty, & possibly sick in that situation, I'd be bashing in a store window if it meant that I could feed my kids.

[pawnman]

I have heard several times on different news programs & channels that N.O. is a very poor city, that many of the people who didn't evacuate had no means to do so...they don't own cars & have no money for travel. Many of those people were apparently forced to stay because of their financial staus.
I have also heard that emergency response agencies have been slow to respond, simply because they were unprepared for the magnitude of the disaster. (I have CNN on now).

Honestly, if I had kids that were hungry, thirsty, & possibly sick in that situation, I'd be bashing in a store window if it meant that I could feed my kids.

Can't eat a TV. Or jewelry.

[Flar's Freyja]

Reverse Discrimination IMO- Automatic discrimination towards whites (especially white men) by minorities which is often justified as "an entitlement".

Perfectly worded.

When you work your @$$ off next to people who feel they're "entitled" to get all dressed up to come to work and do absolutley nothing but take up space while the rest have to work 3x as hard to cover for them - and the agency is too afraid to fire them or take disciplinary action for fear of claims of discrimination, it changes your views and attitudes in ways you never thought possible.

Oops, I think I opened the can of worms.

[Darakash]

I was wondering if they were the true majority of the population, just the ones who refused to evacuate or if it was deliberately shot that way.


I was wondering that too...and, I actually heard on the Shannon Burke show yesterday (Talk Radio) about a few slanted photo captions...like, there were people of color with bags of stuff and the caption read "Looters ransack stores" (or some such) and then, a picture showing two white women with bags of stuff read "Residents FIND food and soda at local stores."

It does seem that the majority of "refugees" from the storm in NO are people of color; I wonder if this is merely a function of population, or of economics (as in these were the folks with no cars, etc?) or what....it was kind of funny...in the "pre-storm" news footage I watched, one of the reporters approached an african american man on the streets of NO, and asked what he was still doing there...the man replied--On LIVE TV, mind you, "None of your F*cking Business!" LOL....he, at least certainly seemed to have an attitude of "this evacuation stuff is B.S" but that of course, was just one man....

[Valnorran]

I agree that if the only way I could get the absolute essentials for survival was to steal them, I'd do it, but I don't think of those people as looters, just as I don't think someone who justifiably uses deadly force in self defense is a murderer. I also think that those who are looting luxury items should be shot. I heard some are even firing on the helicopters. Guess rescue helicopters are going to need gunship escorts just so they can rescue people.

Looters getting strafed by gunships... *chuckles* there's a thought to warm the heart.

[pawnman]

I agree that if the only way I could get the absolute essentials for survival was to steal them, I'd do it, but I don't think of those people as looters, just as I don't think someone who justifiably uses deadly force in self defense is a murderer. I also think that those who are looting luxury items should be shot. I heard some are even firing on the helicopters. Guess rescue helicopters are going to need gunship escorts just so they can rescue people.

Looters getting strafed by gunships... *chuckles* there's a thought to warm the heart.

I'd volunteer to go along. I'm not fully trained yet, but how hard can pressing the firing stud in an F-15 be?

[BlueMoon13]

Oops, I think I opened the can of worms.
Don't worry about the can of worms. I ACTUALLY heard co-workers who are people of colour saying yesterday the only reason "they" (the government) are WITHOLDING aid :jawdrop: is becasue most of the people affected are black, and that corporations have only given ONE million dollars, whereas when "the rich white people" in NY on 9-11 got aid right away :twitch: :twitch: The two can't be compared! I almost puked from choking on my words as they all nodded and uhummed like they were in church at what this jerk was saying.....How many bottles of water are Revs Jackson and Sharpton bringing? Can the NAACP do a better job getting materials and volunteers there than the government? Preposterous! I know these people need help, and Gods, I'd go myself to help if I could, but in the mix are those people who had the "Give me becasue you OWE me something" attitude before Katrina ever existed.......... :aburst:

[DragonsChest]

Oh, my great giddy aunt. I knew it would come to that. "Oh poor me! They won't airlift me off my rooftop with my three looted TVs and backpack full of jewelry and DVDs because I'm black, weigh 300 pounds, and the rich white people want us to die!"

When will people begin to take responsibility for themselves and stop blaming everything on the color of their skin? ARGH!!! I'm about to self combust here. :bangyourh

[Darakash]

Oh, my great giddy aunt. I knew it would come to that. "Oh poor me! They won't airlift me off my rooftop with my three looted TVs and backpack full of jewelry and DVDs because I'm black, weigh 300 pounds, and the rich white people want us to die!"

When will people begin to take responsibility for themselves and stop blaming everything on the color of their skin? ARGH!!! I'm about to self combust here. :bangyourh

Agreed. (as usual!) But the other end of this is that there truly ARE people who believe that the reason there is looting, and violence is because these people are mostly black, as well as those black folks who say that aid is slow because most of the victims are black....ugly on either end if you ask me. These people are american citizens who, for whatever reason, made a very poor decision (whether out of necessity or ignorance, whichever) and need rescue and supplies....At this point, I am just hoping they can save those who are still alive and that the stupid freaks who are attacking each other, and rescue workers, and shooting and looting, just STOP and let the rescues happen!

[BlueMoon13]

...At this point, I am just hoping they can save those who are still alive and that the stupid freaks who are attacking each other, and rescue workers, and shooting and looting, just STOP and let the rescues happen!
**sighs** So Mote it Be.........

[Darkdale]

I'm really impressed with all the good that this disaster has brought out in people. People from all over America have mobilized and are ready to help. Yet, I'm disgusted and embarrassed by the looters, the price gauging and violence. I'm even a little angry at the people who stayed, that could have left. Anyway, we'll see the very best and worst America has to offer and I am certain that in the end, it will be the very best that stands out and is remembered.

[Valnorran]

I'd volunteer to go along. I'm not fully trained yet, but how hard can pressing the firing stud in an F-15 be?
I was thinking even simpler, something like a Jolly Green Giant with door mounted miniguns. Just hover there and hose the living s**t out of 'em.

[Flar's Freyja]

Don't worry about the can of worms. I ACTUALLY heard co-workers who are people of colour saying yesterday the only reason "they" (the government) are WITHOLDING aid :jawdrop: is becasue most of the people affected are black, and that corporations have only given ONE million dollars, whereas when "the rich white people" in NY on 9-11 got aid right away :twitch: :twitch: The two can't be compared! I almost puked from choking on my words as they all nodded and uhummed like they were in church at what this jerk was saying.....How many bottles of water are Revs Jackson and Sharpton bringing? Can the NAACP do a better job getting materials and volunteers there than the government? Preposterous! I know these people need help, and Gods, I'd go myself to help if I could, but in the mix are those people who had the "Give me becasue you OWE me something" attitude before Katrina ever existed.......... :aburst:

One thing that I should have added: This can of worms, as usual, represents the handful who taint the image of the entire inventory........

My supervisor at the job I was referring to is a wonderful woman of color with an impeccable work ethic and is more than competent at what she does. She put her son through college and bought herself a nice home through hard work. She taught me everthing I know and is a goddess among supervisors. She could be absolutely furious with you, but she'd let you know how to do it right next time and never make you feel stupid. Not many people have that skill.

I've always found it very sad that those who insist on hanging on to the oppression excuse _violin_ actually perpetuate oppression for people like her, who deserve the utmost respect yet may have to continue to face discriminatory attitudes related to the oppression cop-out.

Editing to add this article:

NY Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/02/national/nationalspecial/02discrim.html?th&emc=th)

"No one would have checked on a lot of the black people in these parishes while the sun shined," said Mayor Milton D. Tutwiler of Winstonville, Miss. "So am I surprised that no one has come to help us now? No."

My mother in law and I had a discussion last night about how many probably were too poor and had no transportation to evacuate, or no place to go. Many may not have actually believed that it could possibly be that bad. I guess I can identify with that, having seen neighbors sit leisurely on their front porches when tornado sirens were blowing.

But I still don't agree with the atttitude that these people are being neglected because of race and social status.

[Garnet]

Can't eat a TV. Or jewelry.

True, but maybe they could be traded for a ride to somewhere that has drinkable water, food, toilets that work, & a safe, dry place to sleep.

[pawnman]

True, but maybe they could be traded for a ride to somewhere that has drinkable water, food, toilets that work, & a safe, dry place to sleep.

Of course, if those are the things you really want, you won't shoot the police who come to help you.

[Darkdale]

Of course, if those are the things you really want, you won't shoot the police who come to help you.

Right now there are over a hundred firemen and police trapped in a building in Mississippi being fired at by gunmen, who are protecting the looting efforts of their peers. I'm not sure where this is happening, I just caught the end of the report on the news, does anyone have anymore information? They quit talking about it.

[pawnman]

Right now there are over a hundred firemen and police trapped in a building in Mississippi being fired at by gunmen, who are protecting the looting efforts of their peers. I'm not sure where this is happening, I just caught the end of the report on the news, does anyone have anymore information? They quit talking about it.

I'm sure their peers are just trying to survive. :rolleyes:

[Darkdale]

I'm sure their peers are just trying to survive. :rolleyes:

well, what are they going to do, they're oppressed.

[pawnman]

well, what are they going to do, they're oppressed.

Maybe they want to trade the bodies of police and firemen for a ride out of the city, food, and water.

[Flar's Freyja]

I heard this afternoon that a number of cops just quit. It was said that they didn't want to put their lives in danger any more.

[Darkdale]

I heard this afternoon that a number of cops just quit. It was said that they didn't want to put their lives in danger any more.

I heard the same thing. Must be awful being shot at by people you are trying to save. Just a bunch of jackels.

[pawnman]

I heard the same thing. Must be awful being shot at by people you are trying to save. Just a bunch of jackels.

Were they under orders not to shoot back? Because that baffles me everytime I hear it.

[Darkdale]

Were they under orders not to shoot back? Because that baffles me everytime I hear it.

I don't know. I think it's going to be weeks of horror stories pouring out of the city. With everyone displaced, all those women that were raped, what are they going to do? Who do they tell? The people who've been shot... who investigates that?