"Those who called early on for shooting looters on sight should have been listened to—not because property is more valuable than human life, but because when property isn't safe from marauders, human life isn't, either."

--Jeff Jacoby

Bango! Well said, Mr. Jacoby. When looting is left alone and tolerated, even for a few days, it worsens all the inherent problems caused by the disaster; thereby permitting lawlessness to spiral out of control. Do we shoot someone with a loaf of bread? Of course not. Not all looters are going to be gun toters, but all gun toters will be looters - or worse.