On Sat, 10 Jul 2004 09:45:44 GMT, akheel
wrote:

First, it doesn't make it right. Second, I live in a big city, have locks
and alarms on everything, have been burglarized, had my car stolen from my
driveway, so I'm fully aware of the perils of modern society. I'm no rube
and have lots of common sense, not withstanding your arrogant,
condescending, didactic post. Nevertheless, it had always been a little
different with the situation at the lake I described. Hundreds, if not
more, do exactly as I described every day, if for no other reason than to
save the spot for the next day, as most people don't want to sleep out in
100+ heat and the hotels are real cheap and full of food and fun. The
social order on that lake anyway sort of depends on an unwritten code of
hands off the other guy's stuff. You can't get to the spot except by a
power boat launched from one of three ramps within a National recreation
area and there are no homes, roads, or any other access. That means you
have to have invested in a tow vehicle and a motor boat. One would think
that would weed out a substantial number of derelicts right there, but
obviously not all. The stuff stolen had no resale value to speak of, even
at a swap meet (wanna buy some used water shoes?) so the thieves must have
been either stupid or wanted the stuff for themselves. I believe the later,
and that's why I posted. Cause even if this incident is a fact of modern
life now, they're still jerks, I can complain if I want to, and who knows,
maybe they read this newsgroup and will realize how pathetic their lives
have become when they stoop to stealing children's toys.

I never wrote that the thieves weren't wrong. In my book there is
little lower than a thief. I work too hard for what I have for people
to think they can go and steal what they want. We both agree that
whoever did the stealing were inconsiderate assholes who need a
serious beating.

But really, in every group of people there will be someone who is sick
enough to steal just to be stealing. Doesn't matter where you are.
One cannot go around believing that any place is safe from those types
anymore. I wish it wasn't so, but it is. It was naive of you to
leave your stuff there. Everyone else who leaves their stuff there
should be willing to come back and find it gone. Not be happy about
it by any means, that would be absurd. However the suprise should be
in returning to find your possesions where you left them. Camping in
a 100 degree desert doesn't sound real smart. I would find a hotel
too. I just wouldn't take anything with me that couldn't fit easily
back on the boat for the night at the hotel. A good spot is nice to
have, but then again, so it your stuff.