Sincere question

[steve2470]

This question may strike more than a few of you as actually stupid. I'm asking this with sincere intent. I'm trying to understand.

I understand why a person would "take" food, water, drink, clothing and medication. No problem. I do not understand anything beyond that. Please help me understand. Thank you.

[Kenroy]

1. Why does it matter?

The city will be submerged by tomorrow. Does it matter?

[Lex]

5. No, but apparently we needed another looting thread! nt

[steve2470]

6. This question actually applies worldwide nt

[Catherine Vincent]

2. They may use the other items for bartering.

[shraby]

3. A lifetime of doing without the things a lot of

other people have.

[uppityperson]

4. What do you mean by "take"?

Do you mean steal, or take with them when they go somewhere or what? This is a sincere question back.

[steve2470]

8. I will have to get legalistic here

take = to transport a physical item from a retail store to your abode, without paying for it first and having no intent to pay for the physical item.

[uppityperson]

13. Got it, didn't want to assume a definition as the answer would differ

It depends on the person. Barter, need, desire for something they coveted or just wanted. Society is breaking down fast there. There is chaos, uncertainty, fear. Some people just don't care and are glad to do whatever they want. Others are afraid and are acting out to ease their fear. They are isolated and some use this as an excuse, others "take" stuff to make themselves feel more in control and less fearful.

You sound like you believe people are mostly good, mostly try to do the right thing and are troubled when situations like these arise and show differently.

This is good. You are a kind caring humane person. Stay that way. Most people (in my opinion) are good decent people, but you never know how someone will react out of fear or indifference.

[The Traveler]

7. Face the hard facts

Some of these people are simply scum.

Some of them are decent people who are freaking out and not thinking clearly.

Some of them are decent people wandering around in a dissociative haze capable only of playing follow the leader. They happen to be in the company of the more ruthless sort.

Some of them are hoping that TV will stay dry in what is left of their living room.

Civilization, for the time being, is suspended in those places ... don't judge these people too harshly unless you are willing to be in their place and are convinced you would "do better".

[Mr_Spock]

9. Growing up in the inner city as a kid...

I knew it as the anger, frustration and humiliation some people felt just because they had the misfortune of being born into poverty. It doesn't make sense logically though so it can't be explained in words. It's an emotional thing - and you see if pop up when opportunity arrises (Rodney King being the last good example). Is that what you were asking about or did I miss the point entirely?

[steve2470]

11. Yes that was my intent.

I am avoiding any hint of moralism here.

[shanti]

10. bartering purposes?

for someone who has nothing, what's there to lose? just saying...

[lpbk2713]

12. Some have been "have nots" all their lives.

And for one brief point in time saw a free ticket to elevate their status in their own minds. Given the time to reflect on it they might admit what they did was wrong but the temptation was there and they could not resist.

[KBlagburn]

14. They are just exercising there Freedom

thats what rummy said of the looting in Iraq. So why wouldnt it apply here as well.

[fujiyama]

15. This may be cliched and you've probably heard it before but

disasters usually bring out the best and worst in people.

Some do their best to help others. Many are doing what they can to help their communities.

Others are opportunistic and greedy and they usually try to find a way to steal or profit off a situation like this.

The looters are small time versions of war profieteers in my opinion. Rather than first looking to their community, they are both trying to find a way to profit off a bad situation.

It's human nature and frankly in a situation like this at the moment, I would rather not have police resources going toward petty criminals. The search and rescue operation is what is important now. Later, the video footage that has been shot may be used to arrest these people.

[punpirate]

16. I once knew a fellow who'd...

... spent about a year in a prison camp in WWII. He said that, periodically, the frustration would build and there would be big fights, with people often taking sides for no reason. He was a rather small guy, and in the midst of one of these brawls, he found himself at the bottom of the pile with someone pummelling him, so he bit down on what was nearest him--in this case, he took a chunk out of someone's ankle--he didn't even know whose it was.

His explanation? The veneer of civilization is quite thin, and in times of crisis, it's easily stripped away.

Cheers.

[On the Road]

17. If You Operate in "Survival Mode" Long Enough

and feel like the political and business establishments have screwed you, your primary guide will be "I saw my chances and I took 'em."

[magellan]

18. You understand fine.

It's the people defending those who go beyond necessity that don't understand.

There was a report this morning of a family who showed up at the Superdome because looters were on a tear in their neighborhood and they were too afraid to stay at their home any longer. Barely surviving nature's fury is bad enough; being forced out and losing what's left to criminals taking advantage of the situation is indefensible.

[Tace]

19. Pardon Me, But Why Does A Dog Lick His Balls?

Answer: because he can.

I don't think it's any more complicated than that.

This "ownership" stuff is purely arbitrary -- we invented it.

[Qibing Zero]

21. Ha! I almost didn't think I was going to agree with that, but well said.

nt wouldn't fit amagad!

[yurbud]

20. like war, it's removal of social restraint

Some people will be good no matter what, some will be bad no matter what, and the rest do a pragmatic calculation of what they can get away with. When there's a good chance of getting caught, they behave. When there isn't, they don't.