Loki > wrote:

> On Wed, 31 Aug 2005 08:50:06 -0500, George Shirley
> > wrote:
>
> >Thank you Sarah. We're certainly glad we don't live down there either.
> >Local news stations are carrying reports of looting, people in NO
> >shooting at rescue helicopters, ets. Then our state attorney general
> >said they're not going to arrest people for looting "because they're
> >just taking food." National TV is showing people stealing clothing,
> >television sets, etc and I hope those are all made of chocolate. Mostly
> >only the poorest of the poor staying in the city to ride out the
> >hurricane along with the elderly who had no means of transportation and
> >bunch of young male tourist who continue to drink and party. I'm
> >certainly glad I no longer have to respond with rifle in hand to
> >"protect" people and property as I would be inclined to want to shoot
> >the worse ones on the street.
>
> We have had power outages here. They say they will continue, but we
> have not had one tonight. Last night the power was out, no one knew
> when it would be on again and we had gangs roaming the streets,
> looting. We were not hit by the hurricane at all - mostly rain and
> wind but no damage at all.
>
> I sat with a loaded shotgun and my dogs all night.

I'm really sorry to hear this, although I had sort of assumed it would
happen, given the mix of people in New Orleans (or any big city,
although New Orleans may have had more of one sort than another). I'm
glad to hear your area wasn't badly hit, but it must be difficult to
cope with the refugees. BBC R4 this morning said that the authorities
are likely to expand Baton Rouge to provide permanent housing for some
of those who probably can't go back to NO.

regards
sarah


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Think of it as evolution in action.