Dancing in the streets, part Deux!

[Az]

exactly. I am amazed at people saying "I won't loot, no way".

I've said it once, and I'd say it again. I'd probably loot.

[MarkG]

Obviously, we were totally unprepared for the speed of the regime's collapse across the whole country.

amen

but watch out. you might be called unpatriotic

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Ned
Robin hood stole from an unjust government that extracted wealth without consent from the people and gave it to the poor.

You could call Robin Hood's actions justice - but not any of those looters in Iraq.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Azazel
exactly. I am amazed at people saying "I won't loot, no way".

I've said it once, and I'd say it again. I'd probably loot.

Yeah, you're a meanie.

But even you won't loot from museums, hospitals, embassies, aid agencies, and the like. Yes?

[Az]

*whistles*

I would have no problem with looting embassies, actually. some amazingly interesting stuff.

I'd also loot electronics shops, and army depots.

I was amazed that they didn't leave any security at any of the embassies. Now, the US has got all the stuff. ( and you can bet they did! )

[Urban Ranger]

I reckon they locked away all the sensitive stuff in safes, with incendiary traps that go off if people try to pick the locks.

[Kropotkin]

On topic (of sorts):
To the degree we can trust reports about the situation in Bagdad seems better but not good enough for a carneval. To quote bbc-website; "Although some calm is returning to parts of Baghdad, in other districts looting and gunfire continue." So the development seems somewhat ambiguous. Hopefully the Iraqi police can do something about that without turning into criminals themselves.

[SlowwHand]

Yes, all the Coalition's fault.
The good news? Civil Servants of Iraq considering going back to work.
Well, you know. Whenever you can work it into your schedule.

[Kropotkin]

Looting is not just all play, it's hard work and long hours too you know.

[Az]

reckon they locked away all the sensitive stuff in safes, with incendiary traps that go off if people try to pick the locks.

Liquid Nitrogen.

[gsmoove23]

Lets see, would you have gone to work in the middle of the Rodney King riots? Not me.

I can't say I would loot unless I was destitute, then only food and stuff or possibly some evil rich dude's house. If I had anything at all I'd be too busy staying at home protecting my stuff.

[Dinner]

Originally posted by MarkG
1) revenge is ok?
2) the problem is not what motivates looting(other than the refusion of US troops to do anything about it). the problem is the results of looting(you know people dieing, properties stolen, other insignifant stuff compared to FREEDOM)

Actually they've had standing orders to prevent looting when they see it, but, there just isn't enough soldiers to police every where at once and still fight Saddam's facists.

Let's face it this sort of stuff happens in every war and it isn't any worse then what happened in Afghanistan when the Taliban fell or Chechnya when the Russians lost the first war or during the Iranian Revolution.

[gsmoove23]

Actually they had standing orders to do nothing of the sort. In many cases troops watched as looting happened.

[Kropotkin]

Actually, starting a post with the word 'actually' actually makes it more true.

[gsmoove23]

Actually its a good way to start a factual response to an untrue statement, however the lack of a link or anything to substantiate the claim makes me suspect, point taken.

With many Baghdad residents demanding U.S. troops restore order, Brig. Gen. Vincent Brooks, Central Command spokesman, said that the military is helping to rebuild the civil administration but expects the Iraqis themselves to assume responsibility for law and order.

"At no time do we really see becoming a police force," Brooks said.

He suggested the lawlessness will ease with the rebuilding of the civil authority.

"We have to be patient over that," Brooks said. "We are not exercising the same kind of grip over the population that the regime did. That's by design."

U.S. commander Gen. Tommy Franks issued new rules of behavior Friday for American forces in Baghdad now that the Iraqi capital is under U.S. control.

Under the rules, troops are forbidden to use deadly force to prevent looting. They should allow government workers to go to their jobs. Hospitals, businesses and mosques should remain open. Schools should reopen and record attendance.

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/breaking/4_11_03looting.html