People are SUCH pieces of crap.

[Irving]

So this lady shows up at a store saying that she won the lotto and will pay for everyone's purchases up to $500. People start grabbing stuff they want to bring it to the register, and calling relatives that aren't there, to come down to the store. In short order, there are (according to the article) 500 people lined up at the register, and 1,000 outside trying to get in. They figure out the lady doesn't have any money, and all these pieces of shit get mad and start yelling about how they still want free stuff, so they riot and loot the store. Awesome.

?Lottery winner? causes riot at coat store - Weird news- msnbc.com (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33319472/ns/us_news-weird_news/?gt1=43001)


Personally, I find it hard to believe that 500 people were magically in some store in the ghetto (a Burlington Coat Factory) as the store just isn't that big. I think that the workers interviewed were just over whelmed and over exaggerated.

Anyway, do I really need to make it clear that I'm posting this article to say, what kind of person decides that they are owed free stuff from some third party store, just because some lady walks around saying that she is going to buy stuff for them?

[TFOGGER]

It's obviously not their fault...they are deficient in certain minerals....lead and copper come to mind.....

[GreenScoutII]

I have a couple of different thoughts on this. I think there are a number of people who have an entitlement mentality. They believe the world owes them a living and raise hell when anyone suggests otherwise. They can and will justify any type of criminal activity because, in their own minds, they are due..

Secondly, I think sometime people become so desparate, their moral barriers will break down. I observed this frequently on the job site as the economy began to tank. Usually the theft that occurs on a construction sight happens after hours when criminals will come through and steal materials left unsecured, tools not locked up, and copper pipe and wire. Usually its crack heads and tweekers. Under normal circumstances, a guy doesn't have to worry too much about other trades on the job messing with his tools during the day. Tools are sacred, everyone but green apprentices understand this. However, with so many guys laid off or working reduced hours lately, all kinds of shit turns up missing. I lost a set of Reed 3" roll cutters. This is a tool that has no value to anyone but a plumber. It can't imagine it would be easy to pawn. I found it in the garage of the house I was working on, hidden under a roll of insulation. The two framers in the house were the only other guys there. My point is, desparate times can make a guy do things he wouldn't ordinarily do. Tough times is no justification of theft or other criminal activity, I'm just saying, it does seem to happen more frequently lately.

[SA Friday]

It really depends on the circumstances. Our society has established a base line of guilt for committing certain crimes IN MOST PEOPLE. Granted, the closer the people are to struggling for survival, the bar drops. The average American given the opportunity will not commit most crimes like stealing and violent crimes. Conversely, this age of reality shows, X Games, and Jackass and Punk'd tv shows, lends to not feeling guilt when pulling some sort of practical joke. Even though there are hard feelings and strife felt by those on the receiving end, the guilt one should feel just isn't there anymore. It's socially acceptable. 80 years ago, you would just get your ass beat for doing something like this, ergo, it didn't happen much. It was not socially acceptable. Having a sheriff that would say, "you deserved your whoopin, get out of my office," helped out a lot too.

Legally, the asshat that cried wolf in this department store is criminally and civially liable for her words. The 1st ammendment doesn't cover her in this instance. She's screwed when they find her (if they haven't already, I didn't read the story).

[10x]

People don't like to work.
People don't want to make sacrifices.
People are uninformed.
People think they deserve the best for free.
People are desperate.



I really prefer dogs to most people.

[10x]

SA Friday, if this gal has no money, no one has any realistic recourse against her.
You would spend a good deal of money to recover nothing.

Would the authorities even bother with this one?

[Irving]

She's been in custody since before this was reported I believe. Even if she had money, they wouldn't have any recourse against her. Well, the store could sue for damages (potentially) but none of the people who were looting have any claim against her.

[SA Friday]

SA Friday, if this gal has no money, no one has any realistic recourse against her.
You would spend a good deal of money to recover nothing.

Would the authorities even bother with this one?

Nothing has said she was destitute. It simply said she didn't really win the lottery. Asset seizure and liquidation is typically what happens after being sued and losing.

Yes, the authorities would bother with this one. There are felonies involved.

[Mtn.man]

DNA is a funny thing....

[Bailey Guns]

Just as I figured..."pending a mental health evaluation".

If she's not mentally competent, she can't really form intent. Without intent, there is no crime.

Of course, that would apply to Colorado. I don't know how Ohio law will treat this.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Actually, the store or city could go after her for causing a public riot but the rest of the POS "patrons" have no damages and therefore no cause to sue her.