AnalPhilosopher

How do you empose martial law in a completely flooded area (New Orleans)? Do the troops swim after the bad guys? Do we send in the SEALs? Until you can even get into the area adequately, troops are useless. Once they are there, how do they get around? They cannot even get boats in yet in any decent numbers. Once the water level decreases, then the troops will be useful in N.O. Do not forget, you must resupply the troops and support them too. We cannot even rescue people routinely at this time. For now it is Mad Max/ Waterworld time in N.O. Troops can be used elswhere (Mississippi, Alabama, North Shore LA) to good effect, however. Martial law is not that bad. I lived under it in the Army for 3 years. It is strict, and draconian, but it is reasonable and just. Martial law is also definitely better than anarchy.

I'm certainly no expert on military law, Kevin, but here's what it says in my Black's Law Dictionary, 5th ed. (1979):

Military law. A system of regulations for the government of armed forces. That branch of the laws which respects military discipline and the government of persons employed in the military service. Military law is distinct from martial law, in that it applies only to persons in the military or naval service of the government; whereas, martial law, when once established, applies alike to citizens and soldiers and supersedes civil law.

Does that help?

The clip I just watched on the news showed how an photo of black people was tagged as looting from a store when some people had taken food, and a picture of white folks who "found" food and supplies in a store.

I think there is an argument about what is essential to take in this sort of emergency.

Some people think food and water, some think tennis shoes, some think guns for protection, some think...a portable radio or board game to alleviate boredom.

I'm gonna have to start looting soon myself if gas prices don't go back down!!