• Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
    • Access to private conversations with other members.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

'cause in Texas potted plant purloiners are legitimate targets

Skwim

Veteran Member
"SAN ANTONIO -- Police say a homeowner on the city's northwest side shot a man in the head Wednesday morning for trying to steal a potted plant from his front yard.

The suspect, in his 40s, was taken to an area hospital. Police said he will be charged with theft and possibly burglary.

[Police sargent] Benavides said the homeowner is being questioned but will not likely be charged."
source

Does this really require that I say something interesting? .................................................. Okay.

San Antonio is "one of America’s safest and best 'walking' cities."
source
 

Kathryn

It was on fire when I laid down on it.
Love me some San Antonio - but like any very large city, there are certain neighborhoods and areas that are not particularly safe.

Besides that - if you don't want to risk getting shot, don't trespass and steal.
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
I'm beginning to think that somebody has a subscription to the "Bash Southern States Report".
 

McBell

Resident Sourpuss
"SAN ANTONIO -- Police say a homeowner on the city's northwest side shot a man in the head Wednesday morning for trying to steal a potted plant from his front yard.

The suspect, in his 40s, was taken to an area hospital. Police said he will be charged with theft and possibly burglary.

[Police sargent] Benavides said the homeowner is being questioned but will not likely be charged."
source

Does this really require that I say something interesting? .................................................. Okay.

San Antonio is "one of America’s safest and best 'walking' cities."
source
One wonders if the thief has learned anything...
I reckon it depends on how many people coddle to the injuries he received whilst trying to steal...
 

Kathryn

It was on fire when I laid down on it.
I'm beginning to think that somebody has a subscription to the "Bash Southern States Report".

Don't encourage Texans to believe that they are actually southerners. They're TEXANS - different breed. I should know - I've married three of them.
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
Don't encourage Texans to believe that they are actually southerners. They're TEXANS - different breed. I should know - I've married three of them.
Texans are southerners the same way that Wiener Tots are meat.
(How many sharp eyed posters recognize those?)
 

Falvlun

Earthbending Lemur
Premium Member
I'm not a huge fan of allowing people to just shoot anybody who trespasses on their property (it's different if it's self defense), but at the same time, you gotta admit, that man will probably think twice before he tries to steal a potted plant again.
 

Kilgore Trout

Misanthropic Humanist
I would have preferred to break his knees with my baseball bat, but I tend to be more a hands-on type of individual.
 

Dirty Penguin

Master Of Ceremony
"SAN ANTONIO -- Police say a homeowner on the city's northwest side shot a man in the head Wednesday morning for trying to steal a potted plant from his front yard.

The suspect, in his 40s, was taken to an area hospital. Police said he will be charged with theft and possibly burglary.

[Police sargent] Benavides said the homeowner is being questioned but will not likely be charged."
source

Does this really require that I say something interesting? .................................................. Okay.

San Antonio is "one of America’s safest and best 'walking' cities."
source

Nope. Gots me a gun. VA is a gun toting state. Come on my property to try and steal or burglarize my spot and expect either a trip to the hospital or the morgue. Hurray for the homeowner.....
 

Valjean

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Engage in an inherently dangerous activity and you're likely to get hurt. Goes with the territory.
 

Drolefille

PolyPanGeekGirl
I'm not a huge fan of allowing people to just shoot anybody who trespasses on their property (it's different if it's self defense), but at the same time, you gotta admit, that man will probably think twice before he tries to steal a potted plant again.
This is me. We don't prescribe the death penalty for theft and the attitude that he should expect it as a consequence is childish, IMO. Obviously this doesn't excuse what he did.

And I know people who get shot and continue in criminal behavior, injury doesn't change thinking.
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
This is me. We don't prescribe the death penalty for theft and the attitude that he should expect it as a consequence is childish, IMO. Obviously this doesn't excuse what he did.

And I know people who get shot and continue in criminal behavior, injury doesn't change thinking.
Perceived threat of injury does affect thinking.
 

Drolefille

PolyPanGeekGirl
Perceived threat of injury does affect thinking.
Yes and no. And rarely in the way people think. I have a client who was almost shot, he's still dealing. I have one that was shot, he's still in a gang. I have ones that weren't shot and are getting out of the life.

It's not nearly as simple as arming every homeowner and making theft an offense punishable by death. Or that would have worked by now.
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
Yes and no. And rarely in the way people think. I have a client who was almost shot, he's still dealing. I have one that was shot, he's still in a gang. I have ones that weren't shot and are getting out of the life.
It's not nearly as simple as arming every homeowner and making theft an offense punishable by death. Or that would have worked by now.
I don't advocate the latter, but I've seen plenty of evidence that malefactors will pick the low hanging fruit in preference to hard targets.
 

McBell

Resident Sourpuss
I'm not a huge fan of allowing people to just shoot anybody who trespasses on their property (it's different if it's self defense), but at the same time, you gotta admit, that man will probably think twice before he tries to steal a potted plant again.
He was not 'just trespassing' when he got shot.
he was actively engaged in theft.
 

Drolefille

PolyPanGeekGirl
I don't advocate the latter, but I've seen plenty of evidence that malefactors will pick the low hanging fruit in preference to hard targets.

If the robbers know everyone has guns, they'll just bring their guns. *shrug*

Eta: they do target what they perceive to be an easy target but that's not the same as being one. And obviously, Texas and their gun fetish attitude still has crime.
 
Last edited:

dyanaprajna2011

Dharmapala
I only have one question: what's going on in Texas? It seems to be a unique place quite unlike anything else in the States. And this coming from someone who lives in the Deep South. Things there are...different.
 

Father Heathen

Veteran Member
"SAN ANTONIO -- Police say a homeowner on the city's northwest side shot a man in the head Wednesday morning for trying to steal a potted plant from his front yard.

The suspect, in his 40s, was taken to an area hospital. Police said he will be charged with theft and possibly burglary.

[Police sargent] Benavides said the homeowner is being questioned but will not likely be charged."
source

Does this really require that I say something interesting? .................................................. Okay.

San Antonio is "one of America’s safest and best 'walking' cities."
source

Why would he be charged? For protecting his property?
 
Top