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Well there are different theories of justice. Deterrence is certainly one, but rehabilitation is another theory that should be considered.

I'm not sure what the correct response is, but the article conveyed an attitude that this was a clear cut narrative on the triumph of good over evil, casting herself as the heroine.

Another perspective is that a common thief, desperate to make ends meet, becomes the victim of a vindictive blogger. Guess I'm alone on this one :).




The US could certainly do more for the poor, but when you steal other people's things, you are not the victim any more.


If he's actually poor and desperate, at least now he has a roof over his head and three meals a day.

As it stands, this guy had time and money for leisure activities like social networks, and his own friends were surprised he didn't have a legitimate job. That doesn't strike me as something you can say about someone forced into poverty by their circumstances.


a common thief, desperate to make ends meet

How do you know this?


exactly. if anything, this guy was a lazy one who didn't work for a living, mooched off people's things and belongings and had all the time in the world for an active social life.

if one is that desperate to make ends meet, and i've seen such people, they'd be busting their asses and not lazying around in the parks or malls with girlfriends


Well, I certainly don't agree with you being downvoted into oblivion. It's a valid opinion and one that I may subscribe to if I had any reason to believe that you were right about the personal situation off the thief. But without the personal history of this thief, I have no reason to suppose he differs from most criminals, who often haven't really tried to make a regular living.


fwiw I agree, it left a sour taste in my mouth. Sounded far too much like she got wrapped up in her own empowerment and didn't think about whether just maybe letting it go was a better option.

Compare with this story: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=8916475...


now that's a triumph of good over evil narrative I can get behind.

thanks for the reply -- great article.




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