Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site houxc.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!gummo!whuxlb!pyuxll!eisx!npoiv!npois!hogpc!houxm!houxc!george From: george@houxc.UUCP Newsgroups: btl.general,net.philosophy Subject: Theft Message-ID: <327@houxc.UUCP> Date: Thu, 28-Jul-83 13:57:09 EDT Article-I.D.: houxc.327 Posted: Thu Jul 28 13:57:09 1983 Date-Received: Fri, 29-Jul-83 05:42:02 EDT Organization: Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ Lines: 20 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..." or "..well, you didn't lock your car and so got what you asked for...". I don't understand this tendency to blame the theft on the person from whom the property was stolen. Just because someone left a purse on the front seat or didn't lock the car doors does not make that person the one to blame for the theft. I have seen many cars open and many items of value left exposed in cars, but I didn't steal them. Something is fundamentally wrong when the victim of a crime is made responsible for its occurrence. Is it wrong to steal or isn't it? Does my leaving my car open make it OK for someone to steal it? Is it my fault if it does get stolen?? Is there something wrong with my train of thought? george hess, houxc!george