The111 1 #1 September 1, 2005 Ok, not sure if this is safe for the Bonfire, but I'll try my luck. Sure, the current situation in New Orleans, because of the hurricane, sucks. But you know what sucks several times more? All the people looting and panicking, and getting violent. According to media reports I've read (and as skydivers, we all know about the media, but I'll ignore that for now), there have been rescue aircraft that had to abort landing (at medical facilities!) because they were confronted by large mobs, with guns, in their landing area. Seriously, wtf is wrong with people? I realize that (1) complaining doesn't do a damn thing and (2) I probably can't criticize someone in a situation I've never been in. But I can't help myself from being bothered by the fact that people exist who would pick up guns, in a situation like this, and take advantage of others. www.WingsuitPhotos.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #2 September 1, 2005 My friend put it really well last night. "We live in an illusion of civilization." Makes me wanna go back and read Lord of the Flies again. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tcnelson 1 #3 September 1, 2005 Quote(2) I probably can't criticize someone in a situation I've never been in. yes you can; you can be critical all day long of those retards as long as you're certain that your own behavior would be more well thought. anyway, i say mount mini guns on the rescue choppers and gun down anybody that fits the aforementioned profile. "Don't talk to me like that assface...I don't work for you yet." - Fletch NBFT, Deseoso Rodriguez RB#1329 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hexadecimal 0 #4 September 1, 2005 Human nature without a doubt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The111 1 #5 September 1, 2005 Quoteanyway, i say mount mini guns on the rescue choppers and gun down anybody that fits the aforementioned profile. I thought about that. But what if you only picked up a gun to protect yourself? www.WingsuitPhotos.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davedlg 0 #6 September 1, 2005 New Orleans had one of the highest murder rates in the entire country. Take away everyone smart enough to leave and the law enforcement and look at what you have left.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tumbler 0 #7 September 1, 2005 It is these times, when we think no one is watching, no police to "police" us, that our true nature comes out. We can see on TV the looting, the beatings and the fires... but we also see a thread on this website with people offering to help all they can... It is here and now that we will see the very best and the very worst in our people. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tcnelson 1 #8 September 1, 2005 QuoteQuoteanyway, i say mount mini guns on the rescue choppers and gun down anybody that fits the aforementioned profile. I thought about that. But what if you only picked up a gun to protect yourself? there would have to be hostile intent towards the rescue crews, of course. i'm sure one could tell the difference between a person defending him/herself against the mob vs. a person being threatening towards the emergency management personnel."Don't talk to me like that assface...I don't work for you yet." - Fletch NBFT, Deseoso Rodriguez RB#1329 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #9 September 1, 2005 QuoteBut I can't help myself from being bothered by the fact that people exist who would pick up guns, in a situation like this, and take advantage of others. Ask any lifeguard what te greatest danger to their safety is when making a save. It isn't sharks or jellyfish or the action of the waves or riptides. It is the person being saved who risks killing the lifeguard by panicking and bringing the lifeguard down. There's something about the survival urge in people that lead them to seek to get things for themselves. For example, a mob of people breakign into a supply truck to get the supplies of food and water located inside. For these people I do not blame them. If my son is starving, there's no telling what I would do. This side of human nature ain't pretty, but I wouldn't call it ugly. On the other hand, there is the reality that a black market is developing. Some of these thugs will take these supplies by hijacking trucks only to barter these goods with others. Looters may also have an advantage in that the guy with the truck full of water may be able to charge a Playstation for a gallon of water. This is the ugly side of human nature - that which utilizes tragedy for personal benefit. See my other thread about benefit from tragedy, which indicates that there are fine lines that divide the good versus the bad. One way or another, there are thousands of people in stifling heat that are hungry and dehydrated. Add to that the stress of dealign with their children, who are hungry and thirsty. The thought of that is the worst ever for me. People are literally dying every hours of dehydration and other illnesses from lack of basic necessities. People are seing their children - babies and infants who are totally defenseless - DIE from dehydration, starvation and exposure. A scene to start mobs? Absolutely. For those thugs that are robbing and looting non-essentials, I despise them. For those stuck by the thousands who waterless and foodless in the heat, humidity and filth, what can you expect? Especially with screaming children who are screaming for a damned good reason. edited to add: apologies for the numerous typos, as it was typed out quickly. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #10 September 1, 2005 The power of nature is awesome and pure. Humans are capable of all that is good.........but also ALL that is evil. I think evil wins out more often. Good thing too.........it keeps me in paychecks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
caress 0 #11 September 1, 2005 I certainly agree with alot you all are saying as far as this whole event in history is tradgic, appauling, and traumatic for many folks there. However I am of the belief that instead of busting looters and throwing them out of the shops, shouldn't the police all work together and start getting those people there on some kind of transport to the superdome so they can be transported out of the area all together? There is going to be an outbreak of disease pretty soon if it ain't happening already. Alot of the people on t.v. are kids. That is the part that is hard for me. Kids do not need to see dead people, nor crimes and violence either. Geez I wish I could do more. Already sent some money, but things aren't looking any better so far. I guess I will just keep praying and sending what I can. Peace Love and Prayers to all whom have loved ones and or are there. -Suzanne I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinker 0 #12 September 1, 2005 things like what happened in N.O. are one of the many litmus tests for what is in the human heart. if your heart is evil, if you've lived a life w/o morals, w/o a conscience, then you will be even more of a monster when things like Katrina come. One the other hand, when Katrina comes, if you have good in your heart, it also has the potential to bring out the best in people. I just cried last night as my 6 year old boy and I watched the TV as we saw total strangers helping each other, giving gas to each other, food, fix-a-flat, hugs, books, stuffed animals, to kids, anything they could to help. There are some truly beautiful, caring people in this world. I hope that if this kind of disaster ever comes to my part of the world, me and mine can be counted as the latter and not the former. -the artist formerly known as sinker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elisha 1 #13 September 1, 2005 QuoteQuoteBut I can't help myself from being bothered by the fact that people exist who would pick up guns, in a situation like this, and take advantage of others. Ask any lifeguard what te greatest danger to their safety is when making a save. It isn't sharks or jellyfish or the action of the waves or riptides. It is the person being saved who risks killing the lifeguard by panicking and bringing the lifeguard down. ...and isn't this likewise with Tandem Instructors? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NtheSeaOrSky 0 #14 September 1, 2005 There is no humanity in nature. Guess what you get when you take away civilization....nature.Life is not fair and there are no guarantees... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #15 September 1, 2005 >Seriously, wtf is wrong with people? 80% of the people in the world are pretty normal. They just live their lives, trying to fend for themselves and their families, not wanting to cause any trouble. They'd never think of looting unless they or their family really needed it. They help when they can, and accept help when they need it. When they are out of ideas, or food, or will, or money, you see them huddled on the sides of the Superdome waiting to be rescued. 10% are the heroes. They are the ones diving into the culvert to save the kid and not coming out. They are the ones that give up their space on the bus to get the family of four out. They are the ones flying their helicopters under the bridge to drag people out of the icy waters. They're often not even recognized, but look closely at any tragedy, you'll see them. Then there are the 10% that are the criminals. As the water was rising, there were people already plotting who they could kill and get away with it (what's one more body?) what they could steal and where they could hide it. They, unfortunately, make the papers a lot more readily than the other 10% (or even the 80% majority.) Currently they seem to be busily killing each other, which makes it sort of a self-solving problem. I just hope they don't take too many other people with them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nate_1979 9 #16 September 1, 2005 Agree.... If I was there, your damn right you'd see me in those stores trying to find anything to drink or eat.... When you need something, and there is nobody there to sell it or give it to you, you gotta do what you gotta do. As for the assholes just taking stuff they dont need.... FGF #??? I miss the sky... There are 10 types of people in the world... those who understand binary and those who don't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #17 September 1, 2005 There is all that looting and ugliness going on. There are also a whole lot of school children cleaning out their closets of clothes and toys and delivering their treasures to churches in the area that are housing people who have lost everything. There are people who are dropping everything to go and help. Disaster can bring out the best and the worst. There's ugliness, but there's also compassion. I think there's a lot more of the latter. The forces of nature? They're strong, and sometimes they really do put us in our place. But they're not ugly. It's just nature. There are some forces more powerful than we are. linz-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tumbler 0 #18 September 1, 2005 Well said billvon. It seems the only 10% that are newsworthy are the 10% that are killing, maiming and looting. Of course one must question the brain of someone taking a television out of a store while talking to the news person with the news camera on them... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #19 September 1, 2005 QuoteHuman nature without a doubt. What he said. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
swedishcelt 0 #20 September 1, 2005 QuoteMy friend put it really well last night. "We live in an illusion of civilization." Makes me wanna go back and read Lord of the Flies again. Human nature. Ever watch the movie "Instinct" with Anthony Hopkins? Same thing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #21 September 2, 2005 Forces of Nature have a beauty about them. They are to be feared, respected, and sometimes harnessed, but I wouldn't say they are ugly. Humanity and human nature is very frequently ugly to me.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #22 September 2, 2005 The forces of nature, be it a sunset from Kaumalapau Harbor, a light morning snowfall from the top of Loveland Pass, a tornado south of Wichta, A sunrise over Bar Harbor, or the approach of a wind wall south of Key West, are utterly beautiful. Power, total power, whether it be in the form of total destruction of total serenity, simply cannot be matched. That said, human nature is just as prone to varying changes. Be it a mugging in Central Park, a lost child finding the perfect help from Mickey at Disneyworld, kneecaps getting broken in Las Vegas, or or the ski patrol taking a mom that broke both wrists while trying to learn to snow board with her son and daughter on Snoqualmie Pass (since the ski resorts in the south are much too dangerous) back for treatment.... well, it's what makes us what we are be it good, bad or other....It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #23 September 2, 2005 Quotea light morning snowfall from the top of Loveland Pass, It doesn't get much better then thatI might be one of those lucky people, but in my life time I have experienced more good human acts of kindness then ugly. It's just that small % of ugly people that makes the others look bad.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #24 September 2, 2005 QuoteQuotea light morning snowfall from the top of Loveland Pass, It doesn't get much better then thatI might be one of those lucky people, but in my life time I have experienced more good human acts of kindness then ugly. It's just that small % of ugly people that makes the others look bad. Very true, Mar. Some of us can overlook the ugly, and see mostly the good. We do not turn a blind eye to the ugliness though, for that is when you become it...It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #25 September 2, 2005 Human Nature.. we created the conditions for this to be a disaster in the first place.... 'Mother' Nature is beautiful even, in 'full rage'____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
