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What is there to say?

Thanks to all of the brave men and women who serve and defend this country on a daily basis, both in peacetime and in war.

Thanks to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice from the time of the American Revolution right up until today.

Thanks to my family members, both alive and dead, who served sometimes voluntarily and sometimes because they were conscripted, who still did the duty their country asked of them.

Thanks in particular to Specialist (soon to be Sergeant) Nathan Williams of Hugoton, KS. A kid I first met when he was 8 years old who only joined the National Guard in order to receive educational assistance and help him learn a trade. His unit was called up right after he was engaged and he was married just a week before his deployment. He has served with distinction and has since displayed a wisdom that I never would have thought him capable of. He never asked to go to war and yet did not hesitate to do his duty when asked by his country. My children could not ask to have a better uncle.

Stories like these make me sick

When Hurricane Katrina hit, my cousin was in North Carolina and his wife was in Houston. Not sure which one of them has their two year old son, but the point is that none of them were in the city. As of this writing, my cousin and his family already had plans to relocate to Austin, TX, which is where I think they are reuniting once they finish up their business in their respective locations. My cousin had purchased a house in New Orleans a few years ago and had spent in the area of $400,000 fixing it up. They were about to sell it next month and stood to make $100,000 of the deal. They are not rich people, they put themselves far in debt for this house. They'll be lucky to get back what they put into it. A recent appraissal should justify an insurance payment that will allow them to break even at least.

That is, sadly, the lighter side of what is going on. I want to offer some perspective on my comments. I have mentioned before that at one point I worked in a jail. I was a security coordinator with the Travis County Sheriff's Office, I held a jailer's license at one point. I have a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Before entering the world of technology, I was very much intent on a law enforcement career. I had hoped to work my way into a detective position eventually. Just so you know my background here.

Right now, looting is so bad in New Orleans that the looters are actually fighting anyone trying to stop them. Police and National Guardsmen have been shot. Evacuation efforts have been halted because looters have fired at vehicles. These are not people looking for emergency supplies. These are the people walking right by the water and food at Wal-Mart and helping themselves to plasma screen TV's and racks of clothes. The city has become a free for all and because of the flooding law enforcement and military have limited access to many parts of the city. Looters have attempted to break into a Children's hospital to get drugs while children and staff are trapped on the upper floors.

While people are stranded, trapped, and possibly dying these scum are looting the city and threatening evacuation efforts.

They need to be shot.

I am dead serious about this. Shoot them.

Anyone who could sink so low doesn't deserve to waste air with the rest of us. Anyone who could resort to theft and violence in one of the worst natural disasters we've ever seen needs to be removed. I don't want these people around after the crisis is resolved.

Also, anyone who thinks I'm being too harsh, consider this. Due to the actions of these waste-of-skins (as we used to refer to people like this in the jail) innocent people will suffer and die as rescue efforts are hampered by these thugs. Who would you rather have to die? The people just trying to get out of the city, or the people who are doing everything they can to make the situation worse.

Gates of Fire - Combat in Iraq

Holy crap!