A month ago, I wrote a column about the murder of Brian Thompson, the health care CEO who was gunned down in Manhattan in December (https://wtvbam.com/2024/12/13/730677/). The reaction to Thompson’s murder prompted my question, “Is this us now?”
This week California is on fire, and we have our answer: YES.
More than 12,000 structures have been destroyed this week and 50,000 more are in jeopardy, 11 people have died and many more are certain to be found, tens of thousands of people have lost everything, and the costs of this disaster will be felt for years.
What is the first thought for some of us? Los Angeles area police departments, which probably have plenty of work to fill their time, have been dispatched to the devastated areas to protect sites from looters. LOOTERS.
Really? Looters? I have questions. In fact, I have a lot of questions because this week’s fires are so tragic, it completely escapes me how anyone could take on the role of looter. Who are these people? Who raised these people? How do they function in life? How is this even a story?
If you are looting, or if you heard about the fires and thought, “I wonder if there’s anything worth stealing,” these are my questions for you:
1) Looting? Really? You’ve seen the death, the devastation, the despair, and your first thought is “how can I steal something from some grieving, vulnerable people who have lost everything?” Help me understand.
2) The follow-on to that question might be, what is there to loot? Have you viewed the news stories and seen the complete devastation that has occurred in the area? Are you hoping you can steal a broken dish or a burned photo album that the homeowners didn’t have time to grab before they literally ran for their lives? Or are you the one who wanted that burned-up mannequin from that charred storefront?
3) Do you realize that you are forcing first-responders to take time away from their life-saving actions, time away from protecting the people who need them now more than ever?
4) Are you willing to go to jail for stealing that broken dish? When you appear in court, don’t expect a whole lot of sympathy for your plight, because the California judge is not likely to forget this week.
5) What is wrong with you? With us, as a society? While every generation has its idiots, its deviants, its sickos, it seems that the worst keep getting worse. While many people are supporting those with needs this week, the worst among us always seem to show up. And thanks to them, we get the answer to my question, “Is this us now?”
6) As much as I hate to repeat what I wrote last month, (and I fear the answers), I will re-ask, are we this immune to human suffering? Are we so fearful of showing compassion? Have we become that unfeeling?
No, it’s not all of us; I understand that. A lot of people are supportive. People are being charitable and donating time, money, and support. But isn’t it sad that some are so heartless? And doesn’t it seem like there are more of them now?
Albert Schweitzer once wrote, “The purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion and the will to help others.”
Note to the worst among us: What he said.
Curt MacRae is a resident of Coldwater, MI, and publishes his opinions regularly.
To be notified by email, when a column is published, or to offer feedback: rantsbymac@gmail.com
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