Fred on the "poverty excuse"

An answer to the misbehavior of some in New Orleans after Katrina had passed being excused because of their so-called poverty… Go read Fred Reed’s answer. Then tell me what ya think, eh? Here’s a sample: “Poor, you see, is not the same as, nor does it imply, nor justify, passive, thieving, dependent, and benighted.” Really? Who’d a thunk it?  And BTW, it doesn’t excuse ignorance, either: “I note in passing that anyone who wishes can learn to read, short of the genuinely retarded. Illiteracy is a choice. So is ignorance.” I disagree with Fred pretty frequently (not that he cares, of course ;-), but, IMO, this column is so bang on accurate it ought to be carved on bats and (oh so kindly) beat into the heads of congresscritters and Mass Media Podpeople. For a start.