Looting in New Orleans

The worst case scenario is happening. So I just wish to send a hearty "fuck you" to everybody in the media who would begrudge the survivors food and supplies. Yes, yes, looting is the worst sort of greed, it's wrong to steal, blah blah blah. I can just imagine, my house flooded, everything I own destroyed, and hesitating in front of the local Wynn-Dixie. "Well, I suppose I could get some flashlights, beans, and water...it's all right there, but that's wrong. If we get caught, we could go to looter's prison!" And even ifthey're looting televisions and computers--so? New Orleans looks like it might be falling into the Atlantic. I wish certain people would get some perspective.

Meanwhile, it's estimated that 87,000 people are trapped in the city, the Superdome looks like a horrible disaster waiting to happen (one person has already committed suicide there, the water is getting higher and higher, and they're using the Superdome for special needs and injured victims of the hurricane. Somebody I read mentioned a Lord of the Flies scenario).

Also, martial law has been declared in some parts and all reporters have been ordered out.

But damn those looters!

Meanwhile, I really wanted to punch Wolf Blitzer in the face yesterday. Somebody sent an email that he read on air that amounted to, "Do you think the rest of the world will send us little care packages like we sent to the Tsunami victims? Probably not." And Wolf chuckled smugly and said, "Yeah, thatprobably won't happen." So fuck you Wolf Blitzer.

ETA: Nero fiddled while Rome burned. What was Bush doing while New Orleans flooded--though flooded seems too weak of a word? But don't worry! He cut his vacation short this morning to oversea the disaster! Too bad most of the National Guard is in Iraq with their amphibious vehicles, huh?

ETA 2: Apparently an officer has been shot responding to a looting call, as reported by WWLTV. So, you know, I take back my outrage. When they were showing footage of people with pampers and water, I couldn't be shocked or angry. But shooting cops? Yeah, well, fuck the perp too.

More about looting--Pictures with actual captions.

Two residents wade through chest-deep water after finding bread and soda from a local grocery store after Hurricane Katrina came through the area in New Orleans, Louisiana




A young man walks through chest deep flood water after looting a grocery store in New Orleans on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005.

Is it only looting if you're not white? I'm confused.

angry? tired? sad?

1) I had lots of rants about the stupid things I've read today, including "God hates people in the red states" and "I won't be sending money because they're all Republicans." I won't rant about it here, but I did inform the "people" that they're fucking idiots.

2) I nearly got killed tonight. Twice. I was going to rant about that too.

3) Growing up, I knew a girl named Amber. she was one of my best friends all the way up to high school, when she dropped out of school and...well...I know she had a baby when I was 15. She was a troubled girl to say the least, but I remember I loved her. Her mom went to school with my parents--her mom was a troubled person to say the least. Lindy emailed me to let me know that her and her husband, Keff, (the father of the first baby--though he didn't admit it for a long time--and somebody else I knew all my life) died in a motorcycle accident last night. Not even sure what I think or what I want to say or what to do. I also don't know if she has more kids, but I suspect Keff's mom Tammy will be taking the kid (who should be about 6 or 7 now). Lindy? Do you know?