Trees stolen again... I'm done

[Glaucus]

That's how fake news works. Someone posts a joke or meme image. Then someone else riffs off it. Then maybe it gets fact checked and the original poster apologizes. But the damage is done.
It doesn't matter if it was true, was understood as a joke, it is about the sentiment around it. The joke or fake fact was just used to show the underlying sentiment. Namely in this case, liberal coastal cities = bad.
The actual evidence for it may be false, but that doesn't matter. Because the underlying message is 'accurate commentary'. So if the evidence for it was staged, a joke, photoshop, AI, doesn't matter.
This is only fun satire if SF people post it about their own city.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

I agree. But the sentiment goes beyond coastal cities.
It doesn't matter which "side" you're on. Right, left, center are all going down together, even as "higher powers" are dividing us. Government in the United States is not today what it was intended by our founders.

 

[Glaucus]

Maybe the US founders didn't intent the government of the US, be it state or federal, in 2024 to be exactly the way they set it up in 1776-1787.

Maybe society had some changes. Maybe we invented some new technologies. And maybe we are not the same type of people. And maybe we learned some things along the way. And maybe people like James Madison & Alexander Hamilton, who were pretty sharp and not quite arrogant enough to think that their ideas about how to run a country should be set in stone and never be changed. Not sure what exactly you refer to. But the US constitution was supposed to be a living breathing document, to be added to and improved. Not dogma so that we would all live until eternity as if it was 1787.

And maybe the founding fathers had no idea their new constitution would even last their own lifetime. It is actually pretty amazing that all the countries in the new world proved to be as stable as they have been, with very little wars among themselves, considering what had happened in Europe. And kept happening in Europe beyond 1776. Based on history, George Washington had all the reason to think one of his successors would become a king, maybe even in his own lifetime. In fact, it was surprising when Washington himself left the office after two terms. The most important part of the US is that a president accepts the election result and leaves office without resistance or violence. Which in Europe back then wasn't all that common. In fact, we still have plenty of countries in Europe where a king is head of state, who is criminally immune and technically above the law. They just don't commit any crimes(kinda, sometimes they do like the king of Spain). And their power was limited to mostly a ceremonial role several generations ago.

Large cities have always been where most of the crime in society takes place. They always provide larger challenges for administrators or politicians. But they also make money that can support essential infrastructure to more rural parts of a country or state.

 

[rockm]

The sign actually brings up a point that may be pertinent to bonsai theft. The $950 amount is a "felony threshold" between the lesser charge of a misdemeanor theft and a felony. The majority of states have a felony threshold of $1000. Some have thresholds as high as $1,500 before a thief is charged with a felony (Virginia, bless the Commonwealth, has a $500 threshold).

All that means if your tree is valued below that threshold amount (and no your emotional damage isn't a factor), stealing it is a misdemeanor charge at best and police aren't really going to pursue it as vigorously as a theft over the felony threshold. Simply not worth their time in the environment of crime. Yeah, it sucks, but it's the law. They will provide a report you can submit to your insurance company (keep your receipts).

I get a kick out of people who think we're in the middle of a crime wave. Violent crime is was sky high in the 70's-early 90's. In NYC in the 1970's, walking into Times Square, for instance, was taking your life in your hands. Violent crime is waay down, compared to those years. I lived in D.C. in the 80's--when it was the murder capital of the U.S. The area just north of the White House was a sketchy, dangerous place. My boss got mugged between the Capitol and Rayburn House Office Building just across Independence Ave. A trip to the Arboretum over in N.E. D.C. meant having to dodge the occasional hooker on a corner. Those are all distant unpleasant memories.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

@Glaucus
You're not wrong. The US Constitution is indeed a "living" document intended to be flexible for a changing world, a changing society. It was an untested idea, but it was designed with freedom for the citizens, that they would be over the government. That is the concept that was intended to never change. That the governors were to answer to the governed.
And the Bill of Rights came on its heels, to protect the most basic human rights, another idea born in a new and foreign land.
But that isn't what we see today. The arrogant entitlement of elected officials, and of those who they have appointed, is disheartening to those of us who still believe in what this nation was/should/could be.

 

[Charlo]

The same 2 came back again this year for more of my trees. They stole some last year, but there were no cameras then. I gave a police report with video from the cameras. I live in a condo so I can't keep them anywhere else. I either have to move or quit the hobby entirely. I can't keep having my heart ripped out like this. They took 6 more. Some crappy, but one I really loved.
I started drinking again last time this happened, this time I'm going to a meeting.
I'm just posting to vent, because you guys understand how this feels. The police seem like they are clueless as to how valuable these trees are to me. I would rather they stole my car.

I really don’t understand why crack heads would target trees in baskets. It’s not like there’s any money in them. Not saying they weren’t nice trees but they seem to be pre-bonsai, in development.

Really sorry to hear about this though!

They sell them on the Nextdoor app or other local app. One person in my city was making a fair bit of money stealing plants for sale in front of grocery stores and selling them locally. She even had her kids help her steal the plants.

 

[Vince Sartain]

If you're going to post shit like this post ALL of it, this is SATIRE. Posted by the store owner apparently (Louis Vuitton). It ain't a city sign. "If it's on the Internet, it must be real.'

No, SF Didn't Erect Street Sign Saying 'Stolen Goods Must Remain Under $950'

A sign outside a Louis Vuitton store telling thieves any items they steal must cost less than $950 caused a stir on social media.

www.snopes.com

Just because it's not a city sign doesn't mean it isn't real or true!

 

[rockm]

Just because it's not a city sign doesn't mean it isn't real or true!

Good Lord. The context here is that the sign is kind of masquerading as a city sign (same shape, type face, format, etc), implying official permission to steal. It's supposed to be grimly FUNNY. That's what satire does, proposes ridiculous things with a straight face. Did you pay attention in high school English?

 

[Vince Sartain]

Good Lord. The context here is that the sign is kind of masquerading as a city sign (same shape, type face, format, etc), implying official permission to steal. It's supposed to be grimly FUNNY. That's what satire does, proposes ridiculous things with a straight face. Did you pay attention in high school English?

Why don't you try reading my comment again. I understand comprehension is not your strong suit but let's try harder this time!

 

[leatherback]

Just because it's not a city sign doesn't mean it isn't real or true!

True.
Or not.
is it on a sign somewhere?

 

[leatherback]

 

[Patience is an Art]

Wonder if they caught the thieves? Have you really given up? That would be such a shame!

I’m with the “wire the pots” group - and then electrify it at night….

 

[leatherback]

and then electrify it at night

Love where your mind ventures..
Add a timer on a cattle.fence cable.

 

[Srt8madness]

That's how fake news works. Someone posts a joke or meme image. Then someone else riffs off it. Then maybe it gets fact checked and the original poster apologizes. But the damage is done.
It doesn't matter if it was true, was understood as a joke, it is about the sentiment around it. The joke or fake fact was just used to show the underlying sentiment. Namely in this case, liberal coastal cities = bad.
The actual evidence for it may be false, but that doesn't matter. Because the underlying message is 'accurate commentary'. So if the evidence for it was staged, a joke, photoshop, AI, doesn't matter.
This is only fun satire if SF people post it about their own city.

What's real news is California not prosecuting theft, leaving it's citizens to fend for themselves.

 

[Srt8madness]

Maybe the US founders didn't intent the government of the US, be it state or federal, in 2024 to be exactly the way they set it up in 1776-1787.

Maybe society had some changes. Maybe we invented some new technologies. And maybe we are not the same type of people. And maybe we learned some things along the way. And maybe people like James Madison & Alexander Hamilton, who were pretty sharp and not quite arrogant enough to think that their ideas about how to run a country should be set in stone and never be changed. Not sure what exactly you refer to. But the US constitution was supposed to be a living breathing document, to be added to and improved. Not dogma so that we would all live until eternity as if it was 1787.

And maybe the founding fathers had no idea their new constitution would even last their own lifetime. It is actually pretty amazing that all the countries in the new world proved to be as stable as they have been, with very little wars among themselves, considering what had happened in Europe. And kept happening in Europe beyond 1776. Based on history, George Washington had all the reason to think one of his successors would become a king, maybe even in his own lifetime. In fact, it was surprising when Washington himself left the office after two terms. The most important part of the US is that a president accepts the election result and leaves office without resistance or violence. Which in Europe back then wasn't all that common. In fact, we still have plenty of countries in Europe where a king is head of state, who is criminally immune and technically above the law. They just don't commit any crimes(kinda, sometimes they do like the king of Spain). And their power was limited to mostly a ceremonial role several generations ago.

Large cities have always been where most of the crime in society takes place. They always provide larger challenges for administrators or politicians. But they also make money that can support essential infrastructure to more rural parts of a country or state.

Who is WE? You got an American mouse in your pocket? Know it all Eurotards telling Americans how their country is "supposed" to work never gets old.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

It seems many of us have been distracted from the original purpose of this thread. Let's just support our fellow artist, yes? I've gone significantly off topic myself.

 

[Glaucus]

What's real news is California not prosecuting theft, leaving it's citizens to fend for themselves.

Of course every state in the US prosecutes theft, including California.

Who is WE? You got an American mouse in your pocket? Know it all Eurotards telling Americans how their country is "supposed" to work never gets old.

Maybe stop trashing your own country so that 'eurotards' don't have to stand up for how good America actually is. If you hate your own country so much, then go leave. Go live in Mexico, Russia, China, or whatever place you think is better.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Actually, California has stopped investigating thefts under $950. (Orange County has diverged from the state and is prosecuting thieves.) In many cities, businesses are closing, because they can't afford to lose money every hour. In Chicago, big box stores are leaving neighborhoods because of theft. If Walmart can't afford to stay open, there's a problem.

(Here I continue off-topic from the original purpose of this thread again.)

 

[Glaucus]

Actually, no. And now you please stop talking on this subject. You are done.

Why make up completely random stuff, without any sources, when it is off topic, only then to complain it is off topic?

Btw, Chicago isn't in California. No idea why you mention that city. You are just rambling nonsensical lies one after another.

The Walmart thing is also nonsense. Walmart is closing half their shops in Chicago. And the reason is of course not the one you mention. You managed one lie every three words. Now go wash your mouth.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

I myself have no plans to leave this great nation. It's still so good that people from almost every other country are trying to get in. I'm blessed to be here, and I believe there's no better country. There are dozens of great countries, just none as great as this one.