# 5/30/20 America Burns check-in thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 31, 2020, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769 "2020-05-31T02:53:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769/61 "2020-06-01T13:51:52Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > The fact that people are looting at a friggin’ PetsMart should tell you some things. Not everyone is out to score fancy toys and overpriced shoes. When people are stealing cat food, you know your country has utterly failed itself. > > Good on ya, looters, for watchin’ out for your pets, too. What it says is that they will steal anything of value from any store. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769/62 "2020-06-01T14:09:15Z")
People will only steal things that they can use themselves. There isn’t any way to sell stuff you don’t need anonymously and conveniently nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769/63 "2020-06-01T14:25:49Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > People will only steal things that they can use themselves. There isn’t any way to sell stuff you don’t need anonymously and conveniently nowadays. Are you joking? There are more ways than ever to sell something quickly and get payment immediately. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769/64 "2020-06-01T14:31:46Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > People will only steal things that they can use themselves. There isn’t any way to sell stuff you don’t need anonymously and conveniently nowadays. > [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Are you joking? There are more ways than ever to sell something quickly and get payment immediately. Not only that, but in the heat of the moment, I doubt if looters, high on adrenaline, are thinking, “Oh, I can really use or sell those \<_whatever_\>.” In fact, I doubt if much thinking goes on at all. I’m guessing it’s a case of grabbing anything (or a \*case \*of anything) that’s not nailed down. Figure out what to do with it later. Maybe a Doper who has engaged in looting at some time can clarify? Or \<_cough, cough_\> say what a friend has told you about what it’s like. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769/65 "2020-06-01T14:35:33Z")
You’re telling me you think people are stealing cat food and RESELLING it? That’s the motivation here? Why can’t you admit that some people (and their cats!) are hurting for food? Are you unaware that many American citizens daily have to decide between food for their bellies vs. medicine for their kids? (Bonus question: if you were in that position, how would YOU decide? For how many days could you make that decision?) ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769/66 "2020-06-01T14:40:42Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > Well, when white people were protesting against the lockdown, this was said to be terribly irresponsible, but when blacks are now protesting it is as American as apple pie, as we are now told, regardless of the pandemic. Get your big screen TV as long as you wear a mask! I’m curious…what was the police response to the lockdown protestors? How were they treated by the police? ---
**Author:** ![Corry\_El](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@Corry\_El](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corry_El)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769/67 "2020-06-01T14:49:30Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > People will only steal things that they can use themselves. There isn’t any way to sell stuff you don’t need anonymously and conveniently nowadays. There are all kind of new ways to sell stuff now ‘peer to peer’ on the internet that didn’t use to exist, and the economics of casually selling stuff in person for cash work as well as ever when your ‘cost of goods sold’ is zero via stealing. In general, stealing stuff is a way to raise cash. Although in looting situations specifically you probably have significant local deflation temporarily. If the police basically aren’t arresting anyone for stealing (seems to be the standard policy response, not worth the potential for more violence) the local market price of plentiful items is going to go toward zero for a time at least: just steal it yourself. Not the choice expensive items which go first (jewelry counter, electronics etc) necessarily, but probably not a lot of secondary trading in the items stolen once they are picking over the bones of pet supply stores etc. when the good stuff is gone from Target, etc. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769/68 "2020-06-01T14:52:00Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > You’re telling me you think people are stealing cat food and RESELLING it? That’s the motivation here? > > Why can’t you admit that some people (and their cats!) are hurting for food? Are you unaware that many American citizens daily have to decide between food for their bellies vs. medicine for their kids? > > (Bonus question: if you were in that position, how would YOU decide? > > For how many days could you make that decision?) 😕 Whut? You’re praising looters because you think they’re hungry and that’s why they’re stealing cat food? COme on, where do you live where people are starving? RN in every community near and far food is being handed out everyday to young and old people for free! ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769/69 "2020-06-01T14:58:19Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > You’re telling me you think people are stealing cat food and RESELLING it? That’s the motivation here? > > Why can’t you admit that some people (and their cats!) are hurting for food? Are you unaware that many American citizens daily have to decide between food for their bellies vs. medicine for their kids? > > (Bonus question: if you were in that position, how would YOU decide? > > For how many days could you make that decision?) Im sorry but this is ridiculous. The looting yesterday in Santa Monica and Long Beach was well organized. Small groups of people approached businesses with tools to smash windows. They entered said businesses and took what they want and escaped in a waiting car. They moved from one part of the city to the next. After the pros did their work ordinary opportunistic people picked the bones clean. And to the moronic argument that it is just about protecting property to protect business many ordinary working class people in these affected areas who thought they would be going to work this morning wont. Many jobs are likely gone forever, as many businesses. On top of the devastation caused by Covid 19 this is a disaster of huge magnitude. Other people in Long Beach who need to buy groceries or get a prescription filled wont be able to. But a bunch of thugs have some free stuff so justice. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769/70 "2020-06-01T15:04:52Z")
**Moderator Note** This is a check-in thread. Let’s restrict posts in here to actual check-ins and descriptions of what folks are actually seeing in their area. If you want to discuss the politics involved, the reasons why people are rioting/looting/etc, or racism in general, feel free to do so, just not in this thread. We don’t want to drown out the actual check-ins and personal experiences. ---
**Author:** ![Section\_Maker\_Jupe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/section_maker_jupe/32/1424_2.png) [@Section\_Maker\_Jupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Section_Maker_Jupe)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769/71 "2020-06-01T15:15:51Z")
yeah I watched KTLA footage of the “after pros” looting Santa Monica stores. Guy runs out with 2 white womens blouses, waving them around.Big Score!!! Look at me! Shows to his friends, no one cares…he finally just puts both of them on… stomping around. I really hate looters. :mad: Santa Barbara had a quiet protest. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769/72 "2020-06-01T15:22:15Z")
Looters also show up after hurricanes like Katrina. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769/73 "2020-06-01T17:16:34Z")
Los Angeles had curfew the last few nights. I live in the San Fernando valley, and we had reports of looting a few blocks away at a CVS. To me, this is completely opportunistic looting, taking advantage of thin police presence, and has zero to do with the any protesting. Smashing also occurred at a Jewish restaurant across the street, which suggests someone was trying to make some point. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769/74 "2020-06-01T17:30:59Z")
> [@Eva\_Luna](#): > > Northwest Side here - totally peaceful. Friends in Evanston report the same. If I hadn’t switched on the news last night, I wouldn’t have known anything was amiss. Ditto, word for word (except the Evanston part). ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769/75 "2020-06-01T17:51:11Z")
I know some people who went to the Washington DC protest yesterday afternoon. It was tense but peaceful. At night, things went downhill and there were fires and looting. The World War 2 monument was vandalized, which is really sad. There was some small scale looting in the Maryland suburbs too. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769/76 "2020-06-01T18:14:32Z")
Memphis has been fairly quiet in the scheme of things. Four nights of relatively peaceful protests. Then last night the National Guard arrived and things escalated. Tear gas was used to disperse a crowd that was heading to the old bridge. Four or five businesses were vandalized (no looting). No curfew here and I hope tonight will be peaceful as well. All in all, I’m proud of the way the city has handled this, considering our history. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769/77 "2020-06-01T21:29:14Z")
Sacramento had a rough night with looting going on deep in the night in the mid-town area. The news was showing a BevMo getting hit. Clearly not protesters at those hours, but opportunistic thieves seizing on the opportunity with police spread-out in the darkness. When the LEO appeared at one location the thieves just moved to another part of the city. This morning state workers were advised to stay home for the day. The mayor is asking for a city-wide curfew to be enforced starting tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769/78 "2020-06-01T22:46:37Z")
11pm curfew in NYC tonight. Looters were out last night at midnight. Gotta get those essential items they are hurting for, like Playstations & Nikes. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769/79 "2020-06-01T22:57:08Z")
Demonstration at the mall about 10 miles south of me ended in tear gas today. So far, my little town and street have been quiet. I hope it stays that way. I hope it becomes that way everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769/80 "2020-06-01T23:12:35Z")
Just watching our local news on TV. Looks like the George Floyd protests have spread north of the border. There was video of a protest in Calgary–largely peaceful, just chants and signs. But Montreal looked to be suffering, with plenty of looting. I’m unsure where in Montreal this was happening, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-30-20-america-burns-check-in-thread/854769.md?page=5)