Donuel--From what I am reading on the mainstream internet media outlets--The lack of social control is seriously inhibiting rescue and recovery efforts. "Looters", I think, is being used to include anti-social and mob behaviors that are detremental to the life and security of those involved in rescue efforts.

Related, but still thread drift--We here in the USA have rarely, if ever, experienced a disaster on such a large scale, and that has so completely wiped out our considerable infrastructure and ability of social institutions to function. We have often observed this in third world countries. As I read about deaths because aid can not reach people along the Gulf Coast, and about the lawlessness and panic-driven violence occurring, I am reminded of scenes such as those in Bagdad immediately after our invasion. Just goes to show that all around the world, people are more alike than they are different--definitely brothers (and sisters) under the skin.

Janie