Shooting Looters
As I said before, I think I'm just about there. The problem is making sure the person you shoot is truly a looter. You have to make sure the person isn't carrying away their own stuff or the stuff of a relative. Running away from the place is probably a good sign.

If you shoot a the police, BANG, you're dead.
Shooting Prisoners
Nope, unless they were on death row anyway. (I don't know if there is capital punishment there.) A judge and jury did not sentence them to death, so now is not the time to kill them. After all, who knows what the crime may have been?
Rebuilding
I have always wondered why people who get flooded out just about every year always move back and tax dollars bail them out year after year. That does not make good sense to me. However, this is not something that happens every year.
I've listen to some reports that the city was seeking funds in 1960 to improve the levee system and to do a lot of other things. For a lot of reasons, something just did not get done. I have also read that for the last 2 years the Feds have told them the $$$ just weren't there, come back next year. Well, now we pay.
If the city can be rebuilt with an improvement on the water control systems, I say rebuild. New Orleans has a rich history and should not be lost. Plus, it will be good for the human spirit. Some things have a value beyond the $$$.
Best Wishes
clayt101, I am glad you got out and I hope for the best for you, your Dad, other relatives and frinds.