Playing the Blame Game
Once again, the "experts" are blaming high gas prices for the increase in gas station drive-off thefts (previously blogged here). Don't be alarmed, folks. That banging noise you hear is just the latest nail to be driven into the coffin as we make final funeral preparations for the concept of personal responsibility as we know it in America.
Rising Gas Prices Spur Thefts, Violence
What a complete load of crap.
The price of gasoline has nothing to do with it. Either you believe it's morally wrong to steal other people's property and therefore you don't, or you're one of the morally-bereft individuals walking among us who believes such theft can be easily justified by blaming it on some external societal factors outside your control.
The painfully obvious reality (at least, to those of us with above room temperature IQ's) is the price of gas could hit $100 a gallon, and the overwhelming majority of Americans will continue to abide by the laws pertaining to the unlawful taking of the property of others (though, I can't necessarily make the same claim about any local ordinances prohibiting the public use of profanity).
Why this remains a difficult concept for some to grasp, I'll never know.
But, to imply, as this story does, that the high cost of gas is turning otherwise law-abiding citizens into common criminals, capable of running someone over just to get their tank filled up for free, is just plain ignorant.
How many gas stations today actually let you pump your gas without paying for it up front? I certainly don't live near any of 'em. Substitute 1985 for 2005, and I've been asking that same question for quite some time now.
Rising Gas Prices Spur Thefts, Violence
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Gas station owners are wrestling with a dilemma. They are trying to make sure people don't steal gas without hurting profits from other parts of their business.
Many stations have gone to a pay-first policy, but they said that cuts down on browsing and buying in gas station stores, which is a big chunk of their income.
The case of an Alabama gas station owner run down and killed by a driver who police believe was escaping with $52 worth of fuel comes as no shock to industry experts.
"As the price of gas climbs, people's values decline," said Jeff Lenard, spokesman for the National Association of Convenience Stores.
Lenard said the death of Husain "Tony" Caddi, 54, has captured national media attention for two reasons: It shows that soaring gas prices make people angry enough to steal, and gas retailers are tired of putting up with it.
What a complete load of crap.
The price of gasoline has nothing to do with it. Either you believe it's morally wrong to steal other people's property and therefore you don't, or you're one of the morally-bereft individuals walking among us who believes such theft can be easily justified by blaming it on some external societal factors outside your control.
The painfully obvious reality (at least, to those of us with above room temperature IQ's) is the price of gas could hit $100 a gallon, and the overwhelming majority of Americans will continue to abide by the laws pertaining to the unlawful taking of the property of others (though, I can't necessarily make the same claim about any local ordinances prohibiting the public use of profanity).
Why this remains a difficult concept for some to grasp, I'll never know.
But, to imply, as this story does, that the high cost of gas is turning otherwise law-abiding citizens into common criminals, capable of running someone over just to get their tank filled up for free, is just plain ignorant.
"We're in uncharted territory. We're seeing more people going to prepay than ever before," Lenard said. "I think we'll look back on 2005 and say 'Remember when we used to be trusted to pay for our gas?"'
How many gas stations today actually let you pump your gas without paying for it up front? I certainly don't live near any of 'em. Substitute 1985 for 2005, and I've been asking that same question for quite some time now.
