floods: praise and a boo

[troypiggo]

We got our power back on last night. I'd just like to sing some praise for both the Qld and Brisbane gov'ts, not forgetting all the emergency services and volunteers, for their updates, information, and round the clock effort. Even the media, who I often criticise, have been extremely useful during this crisis.

I don't get into politics and this thread was not started to do so. I didn't even vote for either this Premier, but they have both spoken and worked extremely well and I won't (not that I ever have) say a bad word against them. Hats off to them. I know Bligh has copped some slack in the past, but I think her actions here have certainly wiped the slate clean.

Not sure how much coverage those outside Brisbane have been getting, but it's been pretty much around the clock here. Never seen so many helicopters flying overhead non-stop, and all these reporters coming out of the woodwork. Must admit my thoughts were, after seeing many of these young reporters for the first time, that it's a perfect chance for some of them to shine and get noticed, hopefully climb up the ladder. Some have been very impressive, some not so much - struggling for words, wearing thongs and what appeared to be his girlfriend's jeans on camera (LOL). Kind of entertaining and a detraction from the heartache.

A massive boo to the looters (scum of the earth) who scavenge off the misfortune of others. I honestly don't know what goes through the mind of someone that sees an un-manned boat or house and thinks that that gives them the right to go in and take things that aren't theirs. Some have been caught, and I hope that they really throw the book at you maggots. And to the ones that don't get caught, I hope you catch some flood-related disease and body parts fall off.

[Lee]

Looters should be remanded into custody into chain gangs to clean up until every speck of dirt and rubbish has been cleaned up.

[TheDecepticon]

I think the armed forces should be on duty, with a marshal law crackdown and looters shot on sight. Nothing more than oxygen theives!!:mad2::mad2:

[Ric]

Looters, the bottom of the gene pool right next to arsonists.

I agree with Lee, make them do the cleanup and then lock them up.

[multiweb]

Nah... you're being too nice Troy. I'd give them a bucket and a shovel when the waters recess and keep them cleaning until the cows come home. Cleaning up this mess is sure going to span for a couple of years at least. We haven't heard the last of it. People who have had a couple of metres of muddy water inside their house (and I have) know what the cleaning part is all about. I was fortunate enough to have no structural damage but the moist and mud after effects lasts for years.

[hotspur]

Great to hear you and family well Troy.

I totally agree with your comments,I too do not have much time for Anna,I am am not a fan.However this flood is tragic for most of us in Queensland.

Our leadership needs to strong in dealing with the many issues,that are of a nature that is well beyond the regular and routine.

Well done to Anna,and the police,and emergency services,who have served well and done their very best.In a very difficult time.

On the note of looters,well its not only these people that cause the police and everyone else extra headaches.Many people are very selfish and their actions hamper the police and emergency services.

Our very small Blackbutt Police force has to man the road block at the top of the Blackbutt Range,as it has fallen away,and will take 2 months to fix.

More than 50% of the people who are told that it is not possible to go down,argue with police and SES.when the SES is there,some people move the signs etc and try to go through,so they thought police,no one would argue with-wrong,some people physically attacked police.

It has been a long hard journey for these police to arrest many people and take them to Kingaroy watch house,there have been many.

This is a waste of police resources and very selfish.its most bizzare,I was shocked when they told me this.

Our sawmill at blackbutt range has been looted after the fence washed away,all the petrol and disel taken out of machinery.

But in all this doom and gloom,something good was seen "MAVIS" the tug boat:) and her captain,that cheered us all up a bit!

Chris

[AdrianF]

Just heard the penalties for looting as just been doubled to a max of 10 years. Still not enough.

Adrian

[leon]

Adrian, I too agree that looters should be severely punished, but we all know nothing happens really, they get a fine and a lecture, "Don't Do This Again"
They laugh at the sentence, and do it again next time.
I think Deception has it right, shot on sight, the scum bags.

leon

[StephenM]

Glad to hear that you've got power again and everythings OK Troy! We also had power reconnected again last night.

Also agree with you comments, both the positive and negative ones!

Cheers,
Stephen

[Jeffkop]

IF you get caught looting the answer is easy ... hand them over to the people for justice & retribution in whatever manner they please ... Im certain they will come away with a healthy attidude adjustment.

[RobF]

We're all becoming so accustomed to over the top workplace health and safety, litigation and general safety rules in society that I must confess I was a bit surprised during the first 2 days of the floods here as most of our suburb gradually sank beneath the muddy water. Almost no police, SES etc in the back streets. Of course how could they be everywhere, but most streets ending in water weren't marked until Thur and later.

I'm not complaining, but just commenting how easy it would have been for scumbag looters to help themselves for the the first 30hrs or so while everyone was still shell struck.

Shame one of them didn't get knibbled on by the bull sharks that have been seen here and there in the flood waters...:D