By prose

January 23, 2010 1:15 PM | Link to this

To Leon Harrison: they made one too many babies when you were born. It’s misanthropic arrogance like yours that makes us the country we have become. However, make no mistake that I love it when people like you comment. Glenn Beck, Rush, Rev. Pat and Congress need all the support they can get.

By vick

January 19, 2010 12:19 PM | Link to this

Pharrell, I blog about subjects that are of interest to me. And I choose topics in the hope that they will be of interest to other people. I don’t limit myself to books. Why should I ? It is a big world out there and there are many subjects to discuss. Based on the response to this post I’m not alone in my interest in this particular topic. Thanks, for writing.

By Pharrell

January 19, 2010 11:23 AM | Link to this

Vick, I don’t dislike the blog, but isn’t this the Book Nook? Sticking a book cover into the article or saying something like “they’ll no doubt write a book about this some day” just so you can write about basically anything is kind of a cop out, isn’t it?

By Squirrellygirl

January 19, 2010 9:12 AM | Link to this

In the extreme conditions of Haiti, I wouldn’t consider looting a sin. Collapsed buildings, yes, you should be able to use anything you can get your hands on. Yes, of course, you would do what you need to do to save yours and your children’s lives.

By Leon Harrison

January 18, 2010 11:11 PM | Link to this

“I feel sort of guilty” I feel sort of guilty, because today, instead of donating to Haiti or do-gooder foreign aiders, I went to a local matinee picture show and bought a ticket to view and listen to “The Book of Eli”, thereby donating to Denzel [Washington] instead of relieving that Haitian hell. Can I buy a Haiti ribbon to feel real good, like they do in Hollywood? Then, I drove over to Dick’s Sporting Goods and bought a box of bullets, followed by a cheap chili-and-chips-and-cookie supper at Subby’s, with a soda pop, and fed my belly and my body that wasn’t even smelly. I did not ask any of many associates what to do besides boohoo. I am going to have to ask my barbers and waitresses if they want me to do likewise and be a nice caring sharing compassionate guy, instead of giving them my business and tips. Thank God, at least we can FINALLY quit hearing and reading about [hurricane] “Katrina” and about how it was caused by Bush and by FEMA! Hey, maybe, poor people ought to quit making babies in New Orleans and in Haiti? Leon Harrison West Carrollton, Ohio

By Batty-Hatty

January 18, 2010 8:57 PM | Link to this

Andrea @ 12:31 pm: New Orleans is in the United States and, for a time, shared a tragedy similar to the one in Haiti.

By Slightly Right

January 18, 2010 7:01 PM | Link to this

First of all,what a stupid article to even ask such a stupid question. Unless someone was placed in a terrible position such as the devastated people in Haiti, that question could not be rationally answered. Thats like asking someone if they would kill in combat. Hell yes they will, I know because I have been there. You don’t know what you will do when your survival instincts kick in, especially when your children are involved.Violence unfortunately follows starvation and survival. We need to concentrate more on raising funds and supplies for the Haitians and less time with stupid senerios like this one.

By susan

January 18, 2010 5:47 PM | Link to this

Loot and die in the process then your children would have no parents. Why don’t you pray for help instead of acting like animals.

By prose

January 18, 2010 5:12 PM | Link to this

But, we have dispatched an aircraft carrier (for hospital beds) Mark. And, of course, the 82nd Airborn Division. We’re big on disasters. Look how much we accomplished in New Orleans.

By Mark from St Paul

January 18, 2010 4:52 PM | Link to this

Yet I doubt very much that there is anyone in this thread who doesn’t remember the anguished pundits crying, “looters, LOOTERS!” after Katrina. Just before Blackwater/Xe got sent in to “regulate” the survivors, something they have yet to be held accountable for. The United States values property over human lives, our courts tell us so every day. Haitian lives? I’m surprised we haven’t dispatched gunships yet.

By downsized

January 18, 2010 3:29 PM | Link to this

Bankers and politicians loot millions and billions with no prosecution. A hungry person stealing food gets years in prison. Big white collar crimes DO pay. Small time criminals fill our prisons. What a world.

By Chris

January 18, 2010 3:17 PM | Link to this

Absolutely. I also think that “looting” is an unfortunate term to use in these type of situations. I’m pretty sure that the vast majority of Haitians that are resorting to looting are just trying to find the basic essentials to survive.

By Sassy

January 18, 2010 2:54 PM | Link to this

yes! I would loot to feed myself too!

By Renee

January 18, 2010 1:04 PM | Link to this

I would almost anything if my children were hungry.

By Andrea

January 18, 2010 12:31 PM | Link to this

If we were ever that desperate, yes, of course. I couldn’t let my children starve to death. America is quite different than countries like Haiti. We have shelters and umbrella organizations to help in times of need. Even in an emergency (earthquake or otherwise), I would think that most people would have enough food in their homes in America to sustain life for at least a week or so.

By Rich

January 18, 2010 12:25 PM | Link to this

Many try to force life into black-and-white decisions, when life is FILLED with gray areas. Is it EVER right to lie, steal, kill? I think the answer is clearly YES, even though using the word “clearly” is a bit unfortunate. It’s far from clear exactly WHEN it’s morally OK to commit such crimes/sins, but I have no doubt such times exist in this all-too-real world.

By lmj

January 18, 2010 12:20 PM | Link to this

Absolutely!

By Raoul

January 18, 2010 12:04 PM | Link to this

Anyone with children would say yes to your question. The problem is, if you were trying to impose law and order, you would not know the difference between those desperate to feed their childre, or those trying to plunder.