Katrina
I must admit, The Yellow Llama hasn’t had any comments or posts regarding Katrina. I’ve been out of the news loop for the most part and at the risk of sounding perhaps even a bit apathetic, I’m kinda glad. In many cases, events like these leave in its aftermath a a plethy of heart warming stories that are likely spread to increase morale and highlight that there are still good people around.
It bothers me though, the amount of terrible stories that are oozing out. I’ve heard some vague reports about how people are looting something chronic; grabbing whatever they can during the panic. I guess thats the ‘each man for himself’ attitude that is always seen during events like these. Its this kind of thing that makes me glad not to know that much about the events surrounding Katrina and such catastrophes. I saw, for example, a video this afternoon from a New Orleans News show that shows how citizens and even POLICE where walking nonchelantly around a department store, with trolleys and baskets, merrily taking stuff from the shelves. Actually no, let me rephrase, merrily stealing, theiving stuff from the stores. I was shocked. Truly and deeply shocked at the audacity of these COPS no less…to have such a lack of conscience, that they’re able to steal stuff like this, during a time when people should be pulling together.
What kind of example does that set for the citizens of New Orleans? When the Law Enforcement are taking the lead in looting shops and stores, what are the citizens supposed to think.
To all those Police and citizens, I say shame on you. As your neighbour mourns the loss of his family, you have busied yourself in selfishly making the most of another’s misfortune.
Disgusting.
For what its worth, spare a thought for the lives lost, the businesses, the schools and colleges and the livelihoods of those caught in this tragedy.
The problem with being out of the Katrina news loop is that when you do catch something, you hear it out of the context of everything else going on.
Yes, there has been looting, but there has been both superficial looting (those stealing non-essential goods) and those taking the water and food they need to survive. It’s a moral dilemma that I’m sure many an ethics class has discussed — is it okay to steal food and water that you need to survive? It’s wrong ostensibly, but not being in the situation, it’s hard to judge. I can’t say positively that if stealing water meant the survival of me or a family member that I wouldn’t steal it.
As for the actions of NOPD officers — though I haven’t heard of any instances of the officers themselves looting, I do know what a hit they have taken. Many have resigned. A couple officers have committed suicide. They don’t know how to deal with the incomprehensibleness of the tragedy.
I could go on and on, but the stories I like the most are the positive ones. The ones about students finding new homes at colleges and universities around the nation (many for reduced or free tuition) and the great amount of support available at websites like hurricanehousing.org. People from around the nation (from Belgrade, Montana to Honolulu, Hawaii) have offered housing, transportation (even airplane tickets to get to the housing), necessities, and jobs to people who need to relocate.
I have to focus on the positive because too much of the negative is more than I can process.
I know the feeling Nicole… Events like these bring people from both sides of the moral scale: Those who see no wrong in benefiting themselves from the misfortune of another, and then those who jump at the opportunity to show a selfless attitude, roll up their sleeves and get involved in regaining a level of normalcy and helping out those in need…
Maybe you should check out the video yourself and decide the motives of those cops.. I find it shocking..
Can’t see the video, just get the zippy home page