What is this world coming to? How many times have you heard someone say that? Lately, I’ve been saying that to myself a lot. Or more likely, what is wrong with people?

Like so many others, I’ve been watching the news coverage of Katrina and how the people of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are attempting to cope. How anyone can comprehend all that has happened, let alone cope, is beyond me. Many people are in shock still and going through the motions and simply trying to survive. No matter how quickly things come back to some semblance of order, there has been major psychological trauma that will take years to work through.

Given all of that, I can understand some of the looting. People do what they have to in order to survive. It may not be legal, but taking food, milk, and diapers for babies is understandable. Stealing televisions and anything else that can be carted away is not. And neither is the lawlessness that has become prevalent in so many areas.

With all of the chaos and tragedy, the local police are overwhelmed, with 1/3 of the force missing. Some officers fled with their families to safety, others may be dead, and still others have walked off the job.

Police precincts have come under attack and been burned out.

Gangs of armed robbers are roaming the streets terrorizing people, and sniper fire has become common. Rescuers have been fired upon while trying to save lives and still other workers while trying to set up cell phone towers to re-establish service. I’m ashamed to say it, but here is a perfect example of man’s inhumanity to man.

Thankfully, officers from other states, the ATF, and the Military have finally arrived and begun to re-establish law and order, including a makeshift jail in a Greyhound bus terminal.

And although I understand the motive behind it, I think the mayor of New Orleans chose a bad time to offer paid vacations for his officers to Las Vegas. There is just too much work to be done.