In Defense of Looting

[Ben]

I'm not sure that it's possible to get more white guilt than this:

https://twitchy.com/dougp-3137/2020/08/29/this-is-absolutely-batst-quotes-from-npr-interview-with-author-of-in-defense-of-looting-send-heads-crashing-to-desks/

Also, why are my tax dollars still going to NPR? They can either start to earn a living on their own or take donations or whatever, but enough with my tax money going to them.

[WLJ]

There was an article somewhere that basically stated that it's not looting but reparations

[Fly320s]

That lady is nuttier than squirrel poop.

[just Warren]

So...we can take as many copies of this as we want without paying?

[just Warren]

There was an article somewhere that basically stated that it's not looting but reparations

And they'll decide how much reparations you are to pay to achieve "social justice". [spoiler alert] It will never be enough.

[WLJ]

And they'll decide how much reparations you are to pay to achieve "social justice". [spoiler alert] It will never be enough.

Black Lives Matter Chicago organizer says looting is 'reparation
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/aug/11/ariel-atkins-blm-chicago-organizer-says-looting-is/

BLM organizer who called looting ‘reparations’ dismisses peaceful protesting
https://nypost.com/2020/08/13/blm-organizer-who-called-looting-reparations-doubles-down/

[Perd Hapley]

So if burning down a black church gives somone a sense of joy and liberation...

I mean, hey, if the church is empty, it's just property right? Terrible, racist property?

[HankB]

IMHO looters are actually applying for another position: bullet catcher.

[Ben]

On another note, the Trump campaign needs to disseminate this in their ads:

https://twitter.com/i/status/1300290897922453504

[Boomhauer]

IMHO looters are actually applying for another position: bullet catcher.

Live action ballistic gel.

[WLJ]

About that insurance narrative

   Dozens of owners whose Twin Cities properties were severely damaged in the May riots have been stunned to discover that the money they would collect from their insurance company for demolition won’t come close to the actual costs of doing the job. https://t.co/eWg6iHodjD

    — Star Tribune (@StarTribune) August 31, 2020

And this will no doubt be a big fat no

   Kamala Harris helped raise money for the rioters who destroyed these businesses.

    Will she help raise money for the business owners who are suffering now? https://t.co/zDcEMktfoF

    — Cabot Phillips (@cabot_phillips) August 31, 2020

Who saw this coming? Turns out insurance isn’t going to cover the costs of rioters’ destruction of Minneapolis business owners’ property
https://twitchy.com/sarahd-313035/2020/08/31/who-saw-this-coming-turns-out-insurance-isnt-going-to-cover-the-costs-of-rioters-destruction-of-minneapolis-business-owners-property/

[Ben]

Who saw this coming? Turns out insurance isn’t going to cover the costs of rioters’ destruction of Minneapolis business owners’ property
https://twitchy.com/sarahd-313035/2020/08/31/who-saw-this-coming-turns-out-insurance-isnt-going-to-cover-the-costs-of-rioters-destruction-of-minneapolis-business-owners-property/

It rarely is even in other circumstances. I think most people try to get away with the cheapest options for insurance that they can, and I often can't blame them, but it most often means they'll be holding the bag for part of their rebuild costs. Most people also attribute an extremely small possibility to looters and thugs burning their property to the ground, and I reckon that will change, as will insurance company policies regarding what they will cover.

In the link, $25K for demolition actually sounds pretty darn low. $300K may be too high, but demo ain't cheap either.

[MechAg94]

Most policies limit reimbursement to $25,000 to $50,000, but contractors have been submitting bids of $200,000 to $300,000. In many cases, the price of the work is not much lower than the actual value of the property, records show.

“I think that is price-gouging and they should contact the attorney general,” said Andrea Jenkins, vice president of the Minneapolis City Council. “That is a symbol of capitalism run amok.”

I agree that 200K to 300K is BS, but something tells me there is licensing, disposal fees, permits, and all sorts of other requirements that the city council put in place that make it cost a lot more than $25K. 

I would also be curious if the insurance company knew how much that stuff cost when they wrote the policy, but left the amounts low to keep the insurance cost low.  Probably plenty of blame to go around. 

[dogmush]

I agree that 200K to 300K is BS, but something tells me there is licensing, disposal fees, permits, and all sorts of other requirements that the city council put in place that make it cost a lot more than $25K.  

I would also be curious if the insurance company knew how much that stuff cost when they wrote the policy, but left the amounts low to keep the insurance cost low.  Probably plenty of blame to go around.  

How bad is the building damaged?  $300k to safely implode a two or three story building in the middle of a city, cart away and dispose of the debris, while getting all needed permits and complying with federal, state, and local laws?  I could see that.


Superfund sites don't exist because cleanup is cheap.

ETA: Also these neighborhoods don't tend to be in the newest areas.  Can anyone say Asbestos?

[RoadKingLarry]

Take the insurance payout and walk away?

[Boomhauer]

I agree that 200K to 300K is BS, but something tells me there is licensing, disposal fees, permits, and all sorts of other requirements that the city council put in place that make it cost a lot more than $25K. 

I would also be curious if the insurance company knew how much that stuff cost when they wrote the policy, but left the amounts low to keep the insurance cost low.  Probably plenty of blame to go around. 

That bitch running her mouth is part of the problem...one of the last reports I heard about rebuilding hurdles is the city council is making owners of destroyed businesses pay next years taxes before issuing a demo permit

[WLJ]

That bitch running her mouth is part of the problem...one of the last reports I heard about rebuilding hurdles is the city council is making owners of destroyed businesses pay next years taxes before issuing a demo permit

All restaurants cities will be Taco Bell Detroit

[Pb]

I wonder if she would change her mind if someone looted her house?   

[JN01]

It rarely is even in other circumstances. I think most people try to get away with the cheapest options for insurance that they can, and I often can't blame them, but it most often means they'll be holding the bag for part of their rebuild costs. Most people also attribute an extremely small possibility to looters and thugs burning their property to the ground, and I reckon that will change, as will insurance company policies regarding what they will cover.

In the link, $25K for demolition actually sounds pretty darn low. $300K may be too high, but demo ain't cheap either.

They could just plaster the place with Trump campaign signs.  Peaceful protesters will finish the demo for free.

[MechAg94]

How bad is the building damaged?  $300k to safely implode a two or three story building in the middle of a city, cart away and dispose of the debris, while getting all needed permits and complying with federal, state, and local laws?  I could see that.


Superfund sites don't exist because cleanup is cheap.

ETA: Also these neighborhoods don't tend to be in the newest areas.  Can anyone say Asbestos?

Asbestos would certainly do it as well as a more complicated demo.  The picture with the article shows a building that is just a pile of ash. 

But if the city was really interested in helping business owners rebuild, they could probably do a lot of help. 

[Ron]

Just monitor who ends up going in and taking ownership of the property.

Then start looking for the connections with local pols, Democrats and Republicans.