Bingowings said:

It is inevitable that eventually California will get another very big earthquake at some point in the future and I am sure Americans will demonstrate dignity when that happens.

Actually, it is extremely lame, but Americans tend to do a lot of looting in disaster situations. It is part if the American dream.

I'd have a hard time seeing modern Americans maintain dignity in face of a disaster. Life is too easy here. Gas goes up a few pennies and we throw fits about it.