$110 billion annually in shoplifting? Not really a problem, sez some social justice college professor . . .
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SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
I think the point of the professor's thesis is that criminalising activity which stems from poverty and structural inequality in society does little but reinforce conservative prejudice. Unless you subscribe to the belief that homelessness, drug addiction and petty theft are "lifestyle choices", locking poor people up for these offences makes little sense.
And the idea that homelessness/'vagrancy' is a criminal act should be consigned to the 19th century where it belongs.
How about the private sector has a go at running the public education system in struggling localities (as opposed to just creaming off the easy bits)?
And the idea that homelessness/'vagrancy' is a criminal act should be consigned to the 19th century where it belongs.
How about the private sector has a go at running the public education system in struggling localities (as opposed to just creaming off the easy bits)?
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SusanInFlorida · 31-35, F
@SunshineGirl yet the professor offers ZERO evidence himself to refute the constant press coverage of california shoplifting, smash and grab, armed carjackings . . .
[u][b]There IS no practical difference between legalizing and decriminalization[/b][/u]. you don't go to jail in either case.
[u][b]There IS no practical difference between legalizing and decriminalization[/b][/u]. you don't go to jail in either case.
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@SusanInFlorida Yes, I noticed that. He is a sociologist rather than an economist . .
Crimes involving violence usually do require prison sentences. For non-violent offenders who do not necessarily need to be removed from society, prison serves no objective beyond the desire for retribution. And it is a very expensive way of achieving that, which often impacts on family (hence it being disproportionate to the actual offence). Other forms of justice exist.
Crimes involving violence usually do require prison sentences. For non-violent offenders who do not necessarily need to be removed from society, prison serves no objective beyond the desire for retribution. And it is a very expensive way of achieving that, which often impacts on family (hence it being disproportionate to the actual offence). Other forms of justice exist.
SusanInFlorida · 31-35, F
@SunshineGirl i'm not saying shoplifters MUST go to jail. I'm saying they must be arrested if caught/detained. either by store security or legitimate police. At least they should get a written citation. If they came to steal and left their ID at home, THEN they can go to the station and be processed against mug shots/fingerprints of wanted felons.
onewithshoes · 22-25, F
If shoplifting were legalised, no one would ever want to own any kind of retail business, and then very soon none of us would have any place to shop for anything.
SusanInFlorida · 31-35, F
@onewithshoes our political class is completely disassociated with the activities that make an economy function. cost of goods sold; store security; rent; utilities; taxes;
SusanInFlorida · 31-35, F
@joe438 i didn't know you could use baby formula to manufacture drugs. what kinds?
joe438 · 61-69, M
@SusanInFlorida I suspect that some steal it to feed babies but that most steal it to sell on the black market. The 20-something guys captured on all of those videos stealing formula by the wagonful are clearly not feeding babies.
Making drugs? I doubt it could be used that way but babies are really at processing it into an amazing stink that could be handy at mostly peaceful protests.
Making drugs? I doubt it could be used that way but babies are really at processing it into an amazing stink that could be handy at mostly peaceful protests.
joe438 · 61-69, M
Thank you for that post. People really ought to steal copies of his book and give it away for free to see how he likes that. What a maroon.
SusanInFlorida · 31-35, F
@joe438 in the 1960s or 70s, abbie hoffman wrote a book and titled it "steal this book". it was basically a how-to manual for committing petty larceny and fraud - counterfeiting, bad checks, slugs instead of coins, shoplifting, etc.
no publisher would touch it, so abbie hoffman published it himself. it sold a quarter million copies. the number stolen is unknown.
no publisher would touch it, so abbie hoffman published it himself. it sold a quarter million copies. the number stolen is unknown.
FloorGenAdm · 51-55, M
I wonder if it's really that bad or just an excuse to raise prices and lay a guilt trip on consumers.
SusanInFlorida · 31-35, F
@FloorGenAdm if it was just a scheme to raise prices, there wouldn't be so many reports of store closings.
Roundandroundwego · 61-69
The middle class thinks its time to pummel the poor when they see shoplifting.
I'm fine paying extra for you to back off.
I'm fine paying extra for you to back off.
SusanInFlorida · 31-35, F
@Roundandroundwego i doubt you pay for anything. i suspect you are a net recipient of government outlays, who doesn't pay taxes.
Roundandroundwego · 61-69
@SusanInFlorida whatever you like, it'd be the middle class killing Murka. And you lie badly and about people who are way better than most. Lolz. Killer empires instead of socialist countries is your success, never mine.
Obviously you can never agree on a ceasefire or a plan to kill the suburbs and have life on earth. You can't agree to anything. Murkans kill a whole world to rule it. Yup.
Obviously you can never agree on a ceasefire or a plan to kill the suburbs and have life on earth. You can't agree to anything. Murkans kill a whole world to rule it. Yup.
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