Thieves like us?

It's hard to say if these people who are looting after the earthquake in Chile are really thieves or if they are taking food in order to survive. Even the law recognizes that people who steal from neccessity will not be punished with the same severity. With electricity most likely not working, and no one working, what are people to do when they have no food?

Here is a link. I just don't see it as the same. Nor do I see it as the same thing when someone is taking a medication which definitely can influence behavior.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/lt_chile_earthquake

Please note that they did figure this out:

To strip away any need for looting, Bachelet announced that essentials on the shelves of major supermarkets would be given away for free, under the supervision of authorities. Soldiers and police will also distribute food and water, she said.