Excessive Looting

[In A Perfect World]

I think most of us agree that when people are starving it is ok to steal whatever food is needed for basic survival.

But what happens when people are stealing expensive clothes and TVs? I thought it was wrong until a friend suggested that stealing those is OK too, because you could use them to barter food from people and trade.

What do you think?

 

[Cerberus~]

I hope anyone who would trade you a tv for food in New Orleans starves to death, for being so stupid.

 

[Garnet2727]

First, I think you may be surprised. There are a couple of posters on CF who have stated that looting is wrong, no matter what. Kind of rare, but I've seen it.

Second, I seriously doubt that those stealing non-essential items are doing so for future potential trade. Take the TV example. Trade for what, with whom? The city is underwater, no power and is being evacuated. How would anyone even use a TV? Could they take a TV with them when being evacuated? Nah.

I think the unfortunate fact is that some people are stealing because they can.

 

[In A Perfect World]

Another thing is:

Can you really blame the gangs for being up in arms? You're in a situation where some idiots have taken guns and their posts.

You happen to have some friends who are still there and all of whom have guns. The gang one street over is looting houses and are making their way to your house. Are you jsut going to let them loot you at gun point? No, you're going to form your own rival faction.

It's amazing how primitive survival becomes in situations like this.

 

[Cerberus~]

First, I think you may be surprised. There are a couple of posters on CF who have stated that looting is wrong, no matter what. Kind of rare, but I've seen it.

They may think it's wrong, but I'll bet you cold hard cash they'ld be front and center in the looting for food department. If not, they can starve like the ppl who would trade food for tvs.

 

[In A Perfect World]

They may think it's wrong, but I'll bet you cold hard cash they'ld be front and center in the looting for food department. If not, they can starve like the ppl who would trade food for tvs.

I think stealing is wrong, however, in this case it is the lesser of two evils when it involves food. How are you going to let you or your family starve when there is food that's going to go bad anyway?

 

[Cerberus~]

Can you really blame the gangs for being up in arms? You're in a situation where some idiots have taken guns and their posts.

In all honesty, if I were down there, the gun shop is the next thing I'ld visit after taking raiding the Walmart McDonalds.

I even heard a story on the radio about a cop stopping a family trying to get out of the city, and asked them if they were armed. They said no, afraid why the cop was asking them that, and the cop told them they should find some.

It's a warzone down there, and without a gun, you're like a child with a lollipop.

 

[In A Perfect World]

In all honesty, if I were down there, the gun shop is the next thing I'ld visit after taking raiding the Walmart McDonalds.

I even heard a story on the radio about a cop stopping a family trying to get out of the city, and asked them if they were armed. They said no, afraid why the cop was asking them that, and the cop told them they should find some.

It's a warzone down there, and without a gun, you're like a child with a lollipop.

I can honestly say that if someone tried to march into my house I'd blast them with my 12ga. I'd like to think I have the morals not to break into houses to steal items. I'd try to get food from a supermarket, hopefully it wouldn't be gang turf inside the building.

Humans have a tendency to split up in survivalist situations, not stick together.

If everyone still there stuck together, they'd all survive and be better off than if they had acted selfishly. However, individually, the selfish people make out better than if they had acted altruistically.

A true "Prisoner's paradox"

 

[Garnet2727]

They may think it's wrong, but I'll bet you cold hard cash they'ld be front and center in the looting for food department. If not, they can starve like the ppl who would trade food for tvs.

I agree so no bet.

 

[Fuzzy]

It's a warzone down there, and without a gun, you're like a child with a lollipop.

ArmyTimes.com is reporting the Nat'l Guard is being deployed on an armed combat mission to establish security. The Brigadier General in charge used the phrase “This place is going to look like Little Somalia.”

That's what I'd call a bad sign.