I’m veering off topic again, partly for selfish reasons as I’m in dire need of a catharsis, and partly because it’s becoming too hard to ignore. Bear with me.
If you’ve followed our blog for the last few months, you read about our trailer theft. Since the theft, about 2 weeks later, we received a “red light” ticket in the mail. The ticket was issued the night our trailer was stolen. From the photo, you can clearly see it’s our trailer and our plates. You can also see that the truck pulling the trailer is not ours. We had yet another piece of evidence. As the police explained to us, the red light camera took a photo of the back of the trailer/plates and wait for it, the camera also took a photo of the truck, driver and front license plate! So, a ticket had also been issued to the driver (a.k.a. thief). Now, of course, the police would not tell us where the other ticket had been sent; however, they did say our local police department could request a copy of the photo/video/ticket. I really felt we might be getting somewhere. Justice was, for a moment, just a subpoena away. Alas, it has been over a month since this discovery, and we have again – nothing. Frequent calls yield the same results. Nothing.
Now, is it me? Am I asking too much? Am I asking the police to do something outside their responsibilities/capabilities? I think not. I think the problem is, I’m expecting too much, and that is a problem within itself.
Another local business owner, while performing a high-profile job in the city, fell victim to yet another theft, in broad daylight, in front of a crowd. A van pulled up and stole a bunch of equipment from the job site. The crowd began yelling at the thief who quickly took off. The business owner chased the van, making sure to get a good description of the vehicle and most importantly the plate numbers. The police were called to the scene. The business owner proceeded to give the officer the details of the crime and vehicle, only to be patronized. Patronized for thinking taking something that does not belong to you is a crime. No, good readers, the officer on-site explained to the business owner that “everyone has to eat”. That’s right. Everyone has to eat – thus forgiving the thieves and excusing them from their crime because the thieves will sell the equipment to make money, so they can feed their families. The business owner will purchase replacement equipment, so the retailer can feed his family. Are you following this line of thinking? It’s disgraceful. It’s disgusting, and it’s wrong! If this is the mind set of America, then surely we all know what will follow. Anarchy. Anarchy. Anarchy. This is not what our forefathers had intended, and it’s not the America I know and love.
How about these teachers? Both CPS and Lake Forest teachers are on strike. I can barely contain my anger, frustration and disappointment as I listen to their demands, their reasons for striking and holding out. CPS got the money they wanted, during a recession nonetheless, but they do not want the accountability that comes with it. They do not want to be evaluated as they know it will lead to job loss. Sound familiar anyone? If I don’t perform my job as expected, guess what, I’m fired. This is lunacy. This is heartbreaking, and don’t kid yourself for a moment that it’s all about the children. They ditched that notion eons ago. Am I generalizing here? Yes, a bit. I know there are good teachers. I’ve met them. I’ve worked with them. I applaud them.
Our local school district, like many, offers free and reduced lunch programs for those in need. I stress “for those in need”. More than 50% of the local school district’s students are either on the reduced or free lunch program. Over 50%! When did it become the responsibility of the school/state to feed our children? Where is the parental responsibility and pride? I’ve met some of these “free lunch” parents. They’re the same ones who drive fancy SUV’s, carry the latest smart phones and almost always have manicured nails. What is happening? I know there are truly some families in need, and I believe it’s our responsibility as a community to lend a helping hand – not the state’s.
On a final note, I thank you for allowing me to rant. It’s not like you had a choice, I suppose, and if you were wondering, I am not better off now than I was four years ago, and neither, from what I have experienced, is our country.
“We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions”.
– Ronald Reagan
Best wishes,
Kim Sweeney
Unfortunately our society is becoming very dependent on the government–I am not opposed to helping people who really need a hand up, but today many people think the government should supply their every need Where has the pride of being able to do for yourself gone?
Hi Dolores. Thanks for your comment. I don’t know how or why people think it’s a good idea for the government to take care of them from cradle to grave. The “Nanny” state has proven time and time again to be detrimental to its citizens. As Ronald Reagan said, “Government’s first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives”. I agree with you, Dolores. I have no problem lending a helping hand to those in need. I do have a problem with the government taking my money and passing it out to those on the take. I truly don’t understand people’s sense of entitlement and utter lack of pride.
Hi Kim, I appreciate your fury. Major concern: Role modeling for our young ones, or lack of role modeling. If I may, I just returned from a buisness trip. I was informed at a well known hotel they did not have my reservation and every hotel was booked. After giving them my confirmation number, they still were unable to find the reservation. After 45 minutes of calling various other sites of the same chain with out success of my name coming up, as I was walking out the door with my luggage, I turned around and said, “How about looking up my last name with a K instead of a C (the C is the correct letter.) The hotel manager stated, “Wow, I’m so glad you suggested that I do that, oh well, the person that took your information must have thought it started with a K.” (Really, she had processed my credit card.) I guess the ownership was on me for not calling back and making sure my name was spelled correctly when she put it in the system,
I guess the “not so bright” thieves that stole your trailer, drove it through a redlight with their own car and license plates and were caught on camera “outsmarted” the police since the thieves have not received a consequence for their behavior. For the police officer that made that statement to the business man whose equipment was stolen, would he have responded in kind if it was one of his family members. Scary and Sad, isn’t it?
I hope your saga is not over and justice will prevail. I just want to believe that or yes, there is Karma!
Kim C.
Thanks for commenting, Kim. I’m sorry to hear about your hotel debacle. How absurd and frustrating.
Regarding the thieves, you’re absolutely correct. There have been no consequences, and I suspect they know just that. They know the system and are quite familiar with the police department’s apathy. With that type of environment, it’s sure a lot easier to steal than get a job. It’s a dangerous paradigm that quite frankly scares the hell out of me. Add Officer “everyone has to eat” into the mix, and not only do you have apathy, but he’s given the thieves a free pass. I’m still shocked when I think of his words.
Like you, Kim, if justice doesn’t prevail, I’m so counting on Karma!