I wonder why the people in charge of disaster planning did not consider the possibility of civil unrest. Almost every book or movie using a future disaster as its theme contains this as part of the plot complication.
It seems to me whenever a huge population would be put into a small space; add a fear of survival, shortage of basic needs of life, there is always likely to be some people whose sick minds or distorted thinking would make them capable of terrible acts. With severe crowding, no light, electricity, communication, water or food, the likeliness of some thugs committing terrible acts is almost assured.
Last year, I read a book titled Blindness by Jose Saramago. This book had been chosen for a book club meeting that I had hoped to attend. I was unable to attend this meeting, but still wonder about the reactions of the other members.
After hearing the awful rumors of the civil unrest that developed in New Orleans, The details of this book came back to mind.
Thinking about the the reported civil unrest, I started remembering discussions with some fundamentalist relatives who believe without the belief in hell and punishment, most people would commit crimes against others. I don't think that fear of punishment is what makes most people behave morally and ethically.
Those people I know, and those who do not believe in any kind of afterlife punishment are often the most morally upright, loving and giving people I've ever met. The idea that one has to be a believer to be good is just not true.
Posted by Judi at September 10, 2005 7:51 PM | TrackBack