[zipo]

>>Do you honestly believe that petty theft is deserving of the death penalty? How do you square that with the notion that the punishment fit the crime?<<

The problem with looting is that it goes beyond theft - it is like a contagion that results in catastrophic damage if left unchecked.

Again, look at what happened in Bahgdad when looting went unchecked - it destroyed not only property and infrastructure, but resulted in a significant (and potentially catastrophic) delay in the rebuilding effort.

Now, the damage in New Orleans is so catastrophic that perhaps the property damage aspect is somewhat moot. However, the concomitant breakdown in social order has resulted in armed gangs roving the streets, looting and in all probability raping and killing with wanton abandon.

Without martial law, this can only deteriorate.