Why FEMA Failed: The Bush Administration and Disaster Relief

The widespread corruption within New Orleans Police Dept is already known. The emergency crisis situation of a global warming induced hurricane doesn't suddenly make corrupt cops become angelic rescuers. If anything, the crisis situation would be used by opportunistic police to further weaken and divide the low income community. The NOPD functions as an organized crime unit and what better time to increase their power than a disaster..

Staging a "looting" event where non food electronic items are taken on videotape wouldn't be difficult for a police force already familiar with corruption. The result of the staged looting event could be for Governor Blanco and President Bush to order National Guard to "Shoot to kill the looters". There needs to be evidence of non food items being taken before they could issue such a strong statement. Even if the NOPD did not stage looting, the fact that many police were missing and whereabouts unknown indicates that they were operating illegally in the flooded districts of New Orleans, possibly antagonizing stranded residents with whom they had prior disputes. The gunfights were most likely initiated by police and their allies within the organized gangs. The NOPD continues to be the strongest and most ruthless organized crime gang in the city of New Orleans..

Some may argue that people living in poverty would revel at the chance to take expensive equipment during a time of crisis. Though there may be some individuals who focused their energy on non edible, non-survival items simply for their financial worth, it would be difficult to do this very often while struggling with thirst, hunger and constant standing water chest high. Once again finding proof of either accusation is doubtful, however the results indicate that the scattered reports of "looting" led to an order from both Blanco and Bush to "shoot to kill" the residents, regardless of what they were taking. There was no distinguishing between people taking electronic equipment or people taking food that was needed for their families survival. So now a military or police offical has licensce to shoot at anyone, even if they take a perishable food item that will be a financial loss to the owner regardless. Would the administrators Blanco and Bush prefer that people rather starve than obtain perishable food item? Based on their actions, the answer is yes.