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finboy · May 7, 2007, 12:02 PM

So to add insult to injury, govt. is keeping homeowners away from their property after the tornadoes in Kansas. They were allowed back in this morning to take "what they could carry" with them, no trailers or vehicles allowed according to news reports.

Evidently, though, if you dress up right, you can get in without actually being a homeowner:

Looting suspects arrested in storm-ravaged Kansas town - CNN.com

How about taking a few hours to secure downed power lines, clear some roads and then start taking people into their homes? I know it's dangerous and they've got survivors/victims to look for, but two days after the event officials should be able to let folks start to recover what's left. Unbelievable.

Dakarʒ · May 7, 2007, 12:03 PM

George Bush hates black people.

Laminar · May 7, 2007, 12:10 PM

Somebody had to say it.

Oisín · May 7, 2007, 12:14 PM

Thread, meet Pol/War Lounge; Pol/War Lounge, meet Thread. May you become the best of friends.

Dakarʒ · May 7, 2007, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by Oisín

Thread, meet Pol/War Lounge; Pol/War Lounge, meet Thread. May you become the best of friends.

Yep, I didn't even bother.

andi*pandi · May 7, 2007, 12:20 PM

things like this make a little snow seem not so bad.

RAILhead · May 7, 2007, 01:39 PM

What?

xi_hyperon · May 7, 2007, 01:44 PM

Poli-lounge spill, aisle 7. We'll announce when it's safe to return to this thread in a couple of days, as soon as we're sure we've located all the victims.

wolfen · May 7, 2007, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by andi*pandi

things like this make a little snow seem not so bad.

You've been suffering a little snow all this time and haven't said anything? What's wrong with you? Are you ok?

We're here for you.

Laminar · May 7, 2007, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by xi_hyperon

Poli-lounge spill, aisle 7. We'll announce when it's safe to return to this thread in a couple of days, as soon as we're sure we've located all the victims.

But don't expect to be able to come back to this thread until the mods have finished restructuring it.

andi*pandi · May 7, 2007, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by wolfen

You've been suffering a little snow all this time and haven't said anything? What's wrong with you? Are you ok?

We're here for you.

It was a hard winter but we soldiered through.

ghporter · May 7, 2007, 02:52 PM

It often takes a lot more than "a few hours" to secure downed power lines. Then there are gas lines. And potentially contaminated water supplies. This sort of thing can take many days to render safe. But note that the looters WERE arrested-someone is paying attention to the wreckage and looking out for the people who were rendered homeless.

analogue SPRINKLES · May 7, 2007, 03:40 PM

The money is better spent killing terrorists that might do something bad to the US and cause some deaths. This leaves little money or time for small disasters on home soil.
You can go to war with the torrorists but not with weather so it makes you look like a wimp.

Laminar · May 7, 2007, 03:42 PM

I'd like to take this opportunity to declare a war on Tornadoes.

Rumor · May 7, 2007, 03:46 PM

It would be about as successful as the war on terror or drugs.

Dakarʒ · May 7, 2007, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by Laminar

I'd like to take this opportunity to declare a war on Tornadoes.

No need to declare war, I'm sure things will blow over.

(open mouth, insert shotgun)

Oisín · May 7, 2007, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

The money is better spent killing terrorists that might do something bad to the US and cause some deaths. This leaves little money or time for small disasters on home soil.
You can go to war with the torrorists but not with weather so it makes you look like a wimp.

I for one welcome our new torrorist overloads.

analogue SPRINKLES · May 7, 2007, 05:01 PM

Looting suspects arrested in storm-ravaged Kansas town - CNN.com

Awww, stand proud.

• 4 soldiers, reserve police officer suspected of looting cigarettes, alcohol
• The 5 had come on their own and were not part of any official detachment
• Uniforms allowed suspects to come, go freely despite town curfew
• Also, 2 people in Red Cross jackets arrested, suspected of looting

Laminar · May 7, 2007, 05:03 PM

Wow, that's low.

analogue SPRINKLES · May 7, 2007, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Laminar

Wow, that's low.

The saddest part is this is common.

Laminar · May 7, 2007, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

The saddest part is this is common.

Really? It's common for an F5 tornado to wipe out a town? Or it's common for people of any national origin to abuse their places of power for personal gain?

finboy · May 7, 2007, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

Awww, stand proud.

A few bad apples. I never would have expected looting (really, no sarcasm). That wasn't my concern at all.

If this needs to be in the Political Lounge, I'm sure the Mods won't hesitate to place it there.

But I don't see it as a political issue -- these folks are being kept away from what's left of their homes, Day 3. Doesn't anyone else find that troublesome?

Looks like the search for survivors/victims has been called off at this point.

CollinG3G4 · May 7, 2007, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

George Bush hates black people.

"The racial makeup of the city was 97.01% White"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greensb...s#Demographics

Laminar · May 7, 2007, 05:28 PM

Unfortunately his bias is so strong he refuses to help any of them because the 2.99% of minorities.

KeriVit · May 7, 2007, 05:29 PM

Um, do they really have a home to go back to. And yes, it can take more than 2 days.

There are Katrina victims that couldn't go home for weeks, never mind those who still haven't been able to return.

analogue SPRINKLES · May 7, 2007, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by Laminar

Really? It's common for an F5 tornado to wipe out a town? Or it's common for people of any national origin to abuse their places of power for personal gain?

You'd think a city of people would come together in a disaster and not make things worse.
General public is one thing but why do the cops always seem to be the ones doing it?

Laminar · May 7, 2007, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

You'd think a city of people would come together in a disaster and not make things worse.
General public is one thing but why do the cops always seem to be the ones doing it?

Cops can abuse positions of power because cops have positions of power.

analogue SPRINKLES · May 7, 2007, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by Laminar

Cops can abuse positions of power because cops have positions of power.

Ok I get it, there should have been more of them doing it then right?

Laminar · May 7, 2007, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

Ok I get it, there should have been more of them doing it then right?

I meant "can" in the sense of "are able to," not "are allowed to."

finboy · May 7, 2007, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Um, do they really have a home to go back to. And yes, it can take more than 2 days.

There are Katrina victims that couldn't go home for weeks, never mind those who still haven't been able to return.

Some of them have something to salvage. Unless it gets destroyed between now and then. Family photos, jewelry, keepsakes. Anything of value is better than nothing.

And you're right, keeping the Katrina/Rita folks out was wrong too. Outrageous.

Calimus · May 7, 2007, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by finboy

Some of them have something to salvage. Unless it gets destroyed between now and then. Family photos, jewelry, keepsakes. Anything of value is better than nothing.

And you're right, keeping the Katrina/Rita folks out was wrong too. Outrageous.

I think people put far too much value in material possessions, they mean so little in life. I'll admit I'm guilty of this myself, but really why do we need things? Even sentimental items are a bit silly. We all collect boxes and boxes of stuff during our lives and most of it must be thrown away/disposed of when we die.

As long as your family is safe, then losing material possessions is something you can get over. You can buy new things, and you still have memories.

How do you propose they let people back in? There is almost no way you could do it in a civilized way without soldiers/police stationed every 100 feet down every street in the town checking ID to make sure only the right people are digging through the house rubble grabbing stuff, not to mention the stuff blown all over that people would argue over.

finboy · May 7, 2007, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by Calimus

I think people put far too much value in material possessions, they mean so little in life.

You're right, they mean nothing. Especially when yours are tucked away safe in a closet, and not sitting out in a house with no roof b/c the National Guard can't guarantee everyone's safety. Baby pictures, deeds, wills, insurance policies, address books, diplomas, etc. None of that is "material" really.

Dakarʒ · May 7, 2007, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by CollinG3G4

"The racial makeup of the city was 97.01% White"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greensb...s#Demographics

So, did you think I was serious, or do you feel the need to make serious commentary on jokes?

Originally Posted by Laminar

Unfortunately his bias is so strong he refuses to help any of them because the 2.99% of minorities.

Well done.

(Because when I think Kansas, I think Black People)

ghporter · May 7, 2007, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

(Because when I think Kansas, I think Black People)

I think of immense expanses of flat, mostly covered by wheat and corn, myself. You can see Kansas from the top of Pike's Peak outside Colorado Springs, Colorado, and it looks FLAT. What is it about Kansas that makes you think "black people?" Or was this subtle sarcasm that not rereading the whole thread YET AGAIN allowed me to miss?

Sherman Homan · May 7, 2007, 10:10 PM

(Because when I think Kansas, I think Black People)

Gotta be sarcasm. And a good tie in to New Orleans.
YouTube - Kanye West - Hurricane Katrina & George Bush

CollinG3G4 · 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

So, did you think I was serious, or do you feel the need to make serious commentary on jokes?

Well done.

(Because when I think Kansas, I think Black People)

I was just contributing relevant information. And yes, I figured you were joking. I laughed a little bit.

To those of you who think the entire state of Kansas is falt, I encourage you to venture through the eastern portion of the state where the Flint Hills reside. National Geographic did a recent spread over the area.
Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Kansas Photo Gallery - National Geographic Magazine See the unflatness for yourself!

KeriVit · May 7, 2007, 10:36 PM

George Bush is funny.

design219 · May 7, 2007, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

George Bush is funny.

...in a sad, pathetic sort of way.

analogue SPRINKLES · May 8, 2007, 01:46 AM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

George Bush is funny.

The people who voted for him TWICE are even more so.

Dakarʒ · May 8, 2007, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by ghporter

I think of immense expanses of flat, mostly covered by wheat and corn, myself. You can see Kansas from the top of Pike's Peak outside Colorado Springs, Colorado, and it looks FLAT. What is it about Kansas that makes you think "black people?" Or was this subtle sarcasm that not rereading the whole thread YET AGAIN allowed me to miss?

Yes, it was bald-faced sarcasm. I can't think of a single reason why a person would equate African-Americans with the Midwest. Which is why I thought it obvious I was joking.

I must be way too dry lately.

ghporter · May 8, 2007, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

I must be way too dry lately.

Or finals are stressing me more than I thought.

Calimus · May 8, 2007, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by finboy

You're right, they mean nothing. Especially when yours are tucked away safe in a closet, and not sitting out in a house with no roof b/c the National Guard can't guarantee everyone's safety. Baby pictures, deeds, wills, insurance policies, address books, diplomas, etc. None of that is "material" really.

I'm not saying that wouldn't suck, and I feel for the people who have lost so much. I am saying that I think that worst case, for me if my house burned to the ground and I lost every single thing I ever bought owned, I could get over it fairly quickly and move on with my life. The only thing you list their that can't be replaced are baby pictures, and again I think that those will matter little to anyone 1-2 generations down the line and you still have the memories.

residentEvil · May 8, 2007, 08:20 PM

battle of new orleans

LiveLeak.com - Battle of New Orleans

anonymac · May 8, 2007, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

George Bush hates black people.

You are a rude, thoughtless little pig.

And when I come out there next week, I'm gonna fly out there for the day just to straighten you out on this issue.

Laminar · May 9, 2007, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by anonymac

You are a rude, thoughtless little pig.

And when I come out there next week, I'm gonna fly out there for the day just to straighten you out on this issue.

Kevin · May 9, 2007, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

The people who voted for him TWICE are even more so.

And people who keep bringing how much they hate hate hate him! in threads not even about him are even more pathetic.