Reply #14: I have been poor. Very poor. And your assessment is what I feel. [View All]

[progressivebydesign]

the looters are stealing from everyone. It's one thing to get basic supplies to feed yourself... but obviously the looting, which was condoned here over and over, has spilled into violence. that's the problem with lawless behavior, it escalates into utter chaos.

As I think about the extreme looting of things that are not necessities, I think of the people that own the businesses being attacked. Most are not large corporations, they are people who could have very well been in the same financial situation as some who are described here as poor and deserving of the stolen loot. I think what it would be like to work for years to make a living for yourself, be relieved that your business was still standing after the catastrophe, then watch it destroyed by bands of looters. That is what I have a hard time with.

I hope when this is all over that everyone at DU can forgive each other for our vehement disasgreements over looting, because that has really become a hot button here. I do agree with many that it is a sign of the hopelessness of the economy, but I also vehemently maintain that is is wrong. Looting hurts people and causes total chaos in a place where helping victims should be the priority. See how it's escalateed in the past few days? It makes rescues nearly impossible and endangers everyone there.