🚀 go-pugleaf

George wrote:

     In following the recent rash of articles about car theft at BTL
     locations in "btl.general" I have noticed a common comment which
     I find rather disturbing.  The comment is of the form "... you
     got what you deserved for not locking your car ..."
     ... Is there something wrong with my train of thought?

I respond:

Of course!  The person who stole the car owner's possessions is guilty of
theft.  The car owner who left his car unlocked, windows open, etc. is 
guilty of *negligence* or perhaps *carelessness.*  Common sense dictates
that when an obvious threat to security or safety exists, one take reason-
able precautions to prevent the threat from becoming reality.  If you
don't take *reasonable* precautions to protect your possessions or loved
ones, how can you expect the police or any else to take exceptional steps
to prevent your loss?  You've got to look out for yourself--don't expect
someone else to do it.  Your type of thinking taken to the extreme yields
the following kind of mental process: "I'm going to cross the street even
though that speeding taxi doesn't look like he's going to stop.  I've got
the green light and if he hits me that's his problem."  Believe me, there
are people who think that way.  *You* are responsible for your own well
being.  Look out for yourself and your loved ones and property.

Now, please, I didn't say, "Look out for number one and to h-ll with every-
one else."  I love to help my neighbors.

Alan (the survivor) Wiemann, American Bell, Holmdel  NJ