Los Angeles wildfires

[AWRTR]

I wonder if it's just human nature for people to think that, because someone's property has been ruined/burned, they can just go pick through the debris.

I mean, the common thought is that these are all just thugs, criminals.

But I look back to when the house across the street from me burned when I was in high school. I remember being curious the next day, and walked across the street. There were several cars there, and people walking out of the house with guns, cameras, etc. I just thought it was family.

It turned out that these were just opportunists. Looters. But they didn't look any different than the people who lived in my neighborhood.

The people looting target in Minneapolis a few years ago looked like normal people I went to school with, but they were thieving trash just like the people looting LA or at the house across the street. Our sinful natures may tell us to do many things doesn’t mean we do it.

 

[Bodhisattva]

I wonder if it's just human nature for people to think that, because someone's property has been ruined/burned, they can just go pick through the debris.

I mean, the common thought is that these are all just thugs, criminals.

But I look back to when the house across the street from me burned when I was in high school. I remember being curious the next day, and walked across the street. There were several cars there, and people walking out of the house with guns, cameras, etc. I just thought it was family.

It turned out that these were just opportunists. Looters. But they didn't look any different than the people who lived in my neighborhood.

Hard to say. Did you grow up in a neighborhood of looters?

 

[Bamaro]

I wonder if it's just human nature for people to think that, because someone's property has been ruined/burned, they can just go pick through the debris.

I mean, the common thought is that these are all just thugs, criminals.

But I look back to when the house across the street from me burned when I was in high school. I remember being curious the next day, and walked across the street. There were several cars there, and people walking out of the house with guns, cameras, etc. I just thought it was family.

It turned out that these were just opportunists. Looters. But they didn't look any different than the people who lived in my neighborhood.

Isn't most of the looting being done to houses temporarily left unoccupied and not ones burned to the ground?

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Isn't most of the looting being done to houses temporarily left unoccupied and not ones burned to the ground?

I think tha, as thoroughly as these houses burned, jewelry would be about the only thing left which would be worth looting...

 

[Bazza]

Homeowners were told to leave their doors unlocked when they evacuated.

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Close all windows and doors but leave them unlocked

Seems like an open invitation to looters.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Homeowners were told to leave their doors unlocked when they evacuated.

I think this is typical for fire evac as it allows responders access to fight the fires without having to force entry.

 

[Bazza]

I think this is typical for fire evac as it allows responders access to fight the fires without having to force entry.

I get that but it's still an open invitation to potential looters. The ones who may not normally "break into" a building.

On a somewhat related note........when Mom was still living in her home, I put a lock box on the side of the entry with a front door key inside. I let certain people know the combination, including the local fire department. Also had a laminated card beneath with my name and my contact number as well as the same for our caregiver. Little bit of peace of mind and saves a door being broken down or a window busted.

I think in looking at the big picture of the Cal fires......you plan way ahead for evacuations so certain stuff is in a fireproof safe and the rest in a grab bag you take with you. Let fate handle the balance.

 

[crimsonaudio]

I get that but it's still an open invitation to potential looters. The ones who may not normally "break into" a building.

I agree, just posting why I think they suggest it.

I'd leave mine locked - if my locked front door is the deciding factor as to whether my house is saved or not, then it wasn't meant to be.

 

[Bazza]

I love Bill's take at the end - if you can cut the red tape now - why not cut it all the time?

Bill Maher has a question for California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ... why does it take a massive disaster for the state to cut red tape?!?

 

[Isaiah 63:1]

I love Bill's take at the end - if you can cut the red tape now - why not cut it all the time?

Bill Maher has a question for California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ... why does it take a massive disaster for the state to cut red tape?!?

In the old hypothetical about which three people, alive or dead, would you choose to have dinner with, Bill Maher is one of my three...

 

[CrimsonJazz]

In the old hypothetical about which three people, alive or dead, would you choose to have dinner with, Bill Maher is one of my three...

I can see that. I'd like to get together with Gerald Ford, put several beers in him and then ask him to explain the "single bullet theory" to me.

My second choice would be to drop some acid then walk through the funhouse with Jim Carrey.

 

[Bamaro]

I love Bill's take at the end - if you can cut the red tape now - why not cut it all the time?

Bill Maher has a question for California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ... why does it take a massive disaster for the state to cut red tape?!?

Some 'red tape' serves a good function. For example weeding out fraud. Some is useless hassles.

 

[Bazza]

Some 'red tape' serves a good function. For example weeding out fraud. Some is useless hassles.

Like everything else......what starts out as a good thing gets overworked to the point that it actually works against the original objective.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

I agree, just posting why I think they suggest it.

I'd leave mine locked - if my locked front door is the deciding factor as to whether my house is saved or not, then it wasn't meant to be.

Give me your bank account number and credit card numbers for safety reasons

 

[CrimsonJazz]

Give me your bank account number and credit card numbers for safety reasons

And be sure to buy my new book, "How To Avoid the Grift." Only $39.95 (plus tax, shipping, handling and convenience fee.)

 

[TIDE-HSV]

I agree, just posting why I think they suggest it.

I'd leave mine locked - if my locked front door is the deciding factor as to whether my house is saved or not, then it wasn't meant to be.

Unless you've taken the trouble to really reinforce the door, a couple of kicks will admit most firemen. If that doesn't do it, they have tool, which makes mincemeat of all but the stoutest steel door...

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Maybe I'm odd, but list would not include any celebrities at all. I'd like to talk to my ancestors, starting with my parents. For those of you who still have parents or grandparents living, ask as many questions of them as you can possibly think of. Eventually, your children and/or grandchildren, maybe even nephews and nieces will be asking you...

 

[Bazza]

Maybe I'm odd, but list would not include any celebrities at all. I'd like to talk to my ancestors, starting with my parents. For those of you who still have parents or grandparents living, ask as many questions of them as you can possibly think of. Eventually, your children and/or grandchildren, maybe even nephews and nieces will be asking you...

My parents were who I was thinking of too......and my grandparents.......no one else really......

 

[Maudiemae]

Maybe I'm odd, but list would not include any celebrities at all. I'd like to talk to my ancestors, starting with my parents. For those of you who still have parents or grandparents living, ask as many questions of them as you can possibly think of. Eventually, your children and/or grandchildren, maybe even nephews and nieces will be asking you...

I wish I had known enough to talk with my grandparents about so many things! I was too young to realize how important and fascinating those stories would have been. And it didn't occur to me that my parents' stories were, as well, until I was much older. I love history, so why did this not ring a bell? Mama and Daddy came from such extremely different backgrounds, both from very early twentieth century but one from NYC/Miami and the other from rural Alabama. Grandparents came over just before 1900 as children and one worked in sweatshop. I missed out on a family treasure trove of background!


























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[crimsonaudio]

Oof.