There is a reason why the media focuses on looters during times of upheaval.

The message to YOU the viewer is "this could be YOU" so you better fall in line. The MSM in situations like this portrays itself to you the viewer as critical infrastructure. They want you to think they are essential, that they keep you safe and sound, that they keep you away from all the horrible things going on in the world. They want you to think that their line to you is one of the most important relationship in all the world. And without it, you could end up like some poor soul scrounging for food in the rubble of a destroyed city. The media wants you to think that blue glow emanating from your living room is the only thing staving off the chaos and the darkness of the abyss. They want you hooked into the disaster, you can watch all the death and destruction from a good safe distance while enjoying the nice Ritz crackers you just saw a commercial for. Mostly they want you to buy the products advertised by their sponsors which they flash at you during commercial segments in between the death and carnage.

Particularly your last two lines...

and Haiti. In fact, the government should simply take over all the food stores and then compensate the owners out of public money after the fact. I'm not suggesting that the owners of the food stores should lose their businesses because of the looting. I'm suggesting that the use of available food be accepted as a good idea and that then the public should make sure the owners of the food arae made whole.

How can anyone refuse their food stores to starving people? They wouldn't if they knew they would later be compensated and able to buy new. So, in addition to sanctioning looting, people who have large quantities of stored, necessary commodities should be encouraged to share what they have (and then compensated later).

If you think you might one day face a choice between starvation or stealing, do some research on the legal defense of "necessity." That goes for people who live in areas in which natural disasters are more or less predicted. Of course the best defense is to keep lots of water and other supplies in your car and home.

You can also take courses with the American Red Cross and other organizations on disaster response. It is so important for us to be prepared for potential disasters in our own communities -- to be able to help ourselves and our friends and neighbors.

your previous attempt
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7487511#7488290

THINK!! THINK!! what you are advocating -

Posted by JDPriestly
"the government should simply take over all the food stores and then compensate the owners out of public money after the fact."

- lets look at that, it could be a workable idea, however there is NO government on the ground -- the key point you are missing. Before you say let the shopowners do it remember a couple of things -

(1)you have no controls over who/where/how the supplies are distributed - so the shop owner just opens the doors and the stronger/less injured/ more mobile people clean it out. The Weaker/Injured/less mobile ones are the most critical and your plan screws them - nice job, general armchair

(2) what makes you think all of the shop-owners, who have families also would give up the supplies needed for their/their families/ their friends survival?

Posted by JDPriestly
"You can also take courses with the American Red Cross and other organizations on disaster response. It is so important for us to be prepared for potential disasters in our own communities -- to be able to help ourselves and our friends and neighbors."

- THIS is the smartest thing you have said so far, something i will agree whole heatedly, having been in Haiti and having worked Disaster Relief, and Response - THIS IS THE MOST USEFUL INFORMATION

I'm thinking about holding a Crime Watch meeting and talking about the idea of organizing our neighborhood just in case of a disaster. We live in an earthquake area.

I realize that there is not functioning government. Even poor people care about each other and can organize at a community level so that everyone knows to take care of everyone else. As I said in one post, the first impulse in crisis is to group together and try to take care of each other. We see that in Haiti as young men lift heavy building materials to find a child or an elderly person or someone else. It is moving.

It is always best to prepare for the worst and then enjoy the best. But I do think that people should not be punished for looting but rather for hoarding and profiteering during disasters. The government should reimburse the shops who lose their goods to looting.

I think you will find your concerns were addressed by (it's true) GWB via executive order.

"the first impulse in crisis is to group together and try to take care of each other."

Sometimes not, you happen to have a more optimistic opinion of your fellow human beings that I do.

I won't argue that sometimes people help each other out, but I don't think it is something you can or should depend on.

Ideally food, water and any other survival needs should be secured at the earliest possible opportunity and then passed out fairly by whatever legal entity that is handling security/law enforcement.

paul farmers workers had a different story.

nt

ain't that the truth!

:applause:

"If it bleeds, it leads!"

Scenes of looting & carnage make for great ratings!