why don't they use that DHS multi-colored threat level index for potential natural disasters as well as terrorist threats?

BTW, Mike Brown WAS way over his head, just as the mayor and guv were so lets call for them to step down.

For me, the two issues that have come to light most graphically during this tragedy are just how thin is the veneer of "civilization" in the USA and secondly, just how much contempt the rich have for the poor over there. I think that both of these issues are strongly illustrative of some of the underlying flaws in American (and Western) consumerist culture. What we are seeing is nothing more than the inevitable consequences of a social system founded entirely on the pursuit of material wealth. Those who so joyfully proclaimed the downfall of "socialism" and the victory of market capitalism with the collapse of the USSR (Francis Fukayama, PNAC et al) are now witnessing the catastrophic failure of their own flawed social model. Because ultimately, America is not built on "freedom" or "democracy" or "the rule of law" but on two principles: 1.Self reliance 2.Property rights are sacrosanct Everything else about the American Dream flows from these two concepts. In other words: If I work hard, depend on my own resources and acquire enough property, I can thrive in the USA, maybe I'll even get to be President. Sounds splendid, doesn't it? It evokes a vision of strong, pioneering, independent men and women striving towards a better future. These images are the very essence of the American Dream. No need of Government, no need of outsiders interfering, no need of welfare or aid. Just leave the market to provide and make sure that the state does nothing more than protect those with property from those without. But the dream is flawed. At its best, and for most of the time the dream "works" in that it keeps everyone on the same path, provides a unifying basis for American society, provides a set of shared goals to stop society disintegrating into anarchy. Most of the time, (i.e. when the rich are not in any way threatened by the vast majority of Americans who are not rich), the two ideas serve as a form of "mental pacifier" to keep those with less wealth in their place. Hence the counter-intuitive way in which poor people support tax cuts that overwhelming benefit the rich. After all, if you're poor and don't have much, then surely it makes sense to hang on to what you have by enforcing property rights for all. Surely, if you just work a little harder, a little longer, you should be able to keep the little extra that you earn and not have to give it to "the Government". Self reliance. Property rights. These are the myths that the poor are sold by the rich. But there is a dark side to a society based on these myths. When push comes to shove, when the hurricane hits, when the riots and looting starts, "Self reliance" becomes "Every man for himself" Throw in a liberal approach to private ownerhsip of handguns to the mix and you're in real trouble. When the mask slips, and the poor start exercising a little too much "self reliance" (by helping themselves to that which has been left behind by the rich when they fled town) "Property rights are sacrosanct" becomes "Property Rights trump Human Rights every time. Shoot to kill!" These are the inevitable consequences of a selfish culture. And I'm going to catch a lot of flak here for this, but on the subject of looting, I would like to ask this: Since when did theft of a widescreen TV carry the death penalty? Shoot to kill? Good God. What exactly is wrong with a man who has nothing, who has just seen his house destroyed, who has seen little or no response from those in power, who has been basically left to fend for himself whilst everyoe who had the means has just skipped town, deciding to help himself to some of the things he has been made to believe will make him happy but which he can't obtain through normal means? Those with adequate insurance for their homes and businesses will get all their possessions replaced with brand new ones. Those without will be lucky if they get rehoused. Who is the real victim here? Are those who call for looters to be shot really expecting us to believe that the owners of the stores are likely to come back (in 4 months time according to some), rinse off the mud from the wide screen TVs and put them back on sale? New Orleans is, in insurance terms, a Total Loss. The whole town is under water, for god's sake. So what if someone takes a few pairs of sneakers from Foot Locker. Their own sneakers are probably somewhere a few miles out in the Gulf of Mexico. So what if they steal some cigarettes and a bottle of booze. Do people really begrudge them a bottle of Jack Daniels whilst they wait six days for anyone to come and help them? It's the right wing who constantly claim that those on the left simply don't understand human nature. Well, human nature is not a static thing. If you constantly tell people that it's every man for himself, don't expect restraint when Everyman sees a chance to stick it to "the Man".

CYMRO, I haven't heard anyone say we should shoot looters!? NOBODY.