The Wrong Decision

Was driving into work this morning and listening to boom 97.3 and the fast 5.  They were talking about a police man that was called into Walmart Canada to arrest an 18 year old for shoplifting a shirt and tie.  Apparently when the man explained the shirt and tie was for a job interview he had the police man let him off and the man got the shirt and tie.  Not sure if the policeman bought it for him or Wal-Mart gave it to him.  Although initially this may seem like a really wonderful thing to do, nothing could be farther from the truth.  What precedent has been shown here?  When times are tough... break the law!  So down the road when the man or others need clothes... groceries or rent or mortgage money... steal what you need... Rob a store or bank... break whatever law you need to to makenit happen!  Could he not ask friends or  family for help?  Appeal to others? Ask for assistance biblically lime face book?  No... let's take the easy way out and steal and be allowed to do so by the police and the business.  Others will surely try to do the same.

I remember when times were tough for us and we lost our business and our home and had 6 children to feed Lorraine Davies-Macarthur and never thought of doing this.  We hunkered down and scraped to feed our children and to meet our business.  There was the occasional help from friends and family but we never would think of stealing or breaking the law.

There have been a number of occasions when I have lent shirts... pamts.... ties.... and shoes to my kids to prepare them for an imterview... most of which never came back.... but I would much rather they ask me for help then steal or rob.  I am so proud of my children for making that choice.

In my opinion letting this person off was the totally the wrong thing to do.  It clearly sends out the wrong message.