Finally

The Lede blog in the New York Times today finally acknowledged that all looting isn't looting. The entire blog is worth a look, but here's the relevant language:

Update | 12:34 p.m. As Haitians wait for aid to reach them, on what local bloggers are calling “Haiti Year Zero, Day 6,” some observers are asking if it is fair to call people who take goods from ruined shops “looters.”

This video posted online by The Associated Press on Monday shows Haitian police firing in the air to disperse young men carrying goods from destroyed buildings in Port-au-Prince:

Looking at video of a similar scene on Sunday, Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré, retired, who took charge of security in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina,told CNN: “These people are trying to survive, and you should not shoot someone over trying to get food - they are [doing] nothing but expressing a human need to get food.” He added, “The president of Haiti needs to declare right now, if we’re gonna make this a better place, that no one will be shot for trying to get food.”