Date:         Sun, 1 May 2011 13:31:16 -0500
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Today somebody got into my van and rifled through it
Comments: To: Rob <becida@COMCAST.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2011050113483964@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

---- Rob <becida@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
> I will not help a thief.

sometimes a thief is just a down on his luck person who is more willing to steal than he is to go through the denigration of submitting to the condescending response that often comes from asking.

> Someone > cut the roof of my daughters Cabio to look around inside, didn't take
> anything. That was a thief. None of us are happy about it.

And you should not be happy about it.  And you should not feel obligated to help that person.  I will point out that you had real damage, Mike did not.

But, I really don't know how I might behave if I were in a down and out position.  I've been pretty down, but always felt optimistic that I could get up, and did, without either thieving or getting a handout (but I have benefitted from the benevolence of society).  I don't know at this stage in my life how I would feel if the vagaries of life put me really down.  What did someone say?  "But for the grace ............ ."

I know someone who is a veteran of the Viet Nam war, who probably suffers from post traumatic shock disorder.  He sometimes abuses alcohol and other drugs.  He has stolen for food and probably for less essential (as most people see it) materials.  He probably did not need to steal for food, because family and friends would have made sure he had it, but he didn't ask.  He has been in the lock-up more than one time.  Family and friends try to help him as best they can, and to see to it that he gets the benefits that are due him as a veteran (sometimes it is hard to help a person).  But of course, it is also easier to recognize the straights that a person finds himself in, and to forgive the remedies he seeks if the person is close to you.

Done with the preaching.  It is not Friday.  Sorry.  mcneely