Subj : Re: Out there, in a car..... phoey To : All From : sstubbs@shout.net Date : Sun Jul 09 2000 11:47 am From: Stephen Stubbs Subject: Re: Out there, in a car..... phoey Organization: Walks Far Productions > I'm glad to hear you got her back, but very sad to hear about her > condition. I hope those responsible get what they deserve, and that she > recovers well. :-( > > Best wishes to you and the 'Hawk, > YHL To Yoon and Andrew: "I'd like to meet the people responsible" (my statement) Hmmm.... I can see now where Andrew would think I'd like to show them my displeasure, perhaps in a very physical manner. Sorry, that wasn't what I had in mind. And Yoon's hoping they get what they deserve.... Being a Christian I hope NOBODY gets what they deserve, when it comes to facing God. I believe in a merciful God. No, what I had in mind was meeting the people responsible and seeing what kind of people they are. The bike was recovered in a section of town that the University of Illinois students reside in. It's possible it was a student that took the bike. On reflection, what was done to the bike showed intelligence (it's got to be really hard figuring out how to hot wire a bike). Even with the shop service manual (which I was able to get a copy of), it's difficult to follow the wiring diagrams. On motorcycles, you don't get a lot of room to work in or play in the fit of the parts. Everything is pretty much tight fit and no clearance to install or remove parts. So it occured to me it was taken by some bright student, perhaps a mechanical engineering student. Since the bike was still in town, I doubt if it was taken by professionals (I can't imagine they'd leave it in one piece in the open in a town of 150,000 people or so.) So it might have been a young engineering student with a promising career on the horizon. Criminal prosecution at this time in one's life could be extremely damaging to their future. If this person had a history of prior thefts, I'd let the criminal prosecution system run its course. But if this were an isolated event, I might come to terms with the party outside of court. We all make mistakes; but it's important to pay for them. Otherwise you may not learn from your mistakes. It also occured to me that the party should have the bike as well as a further reminder of the consequences of that act. Kind of like a visual aid to a lesson. So, if meeting them I may give them the choice of using the USA law system or using the Biblical law system. In the Biblical law system of the Old Testament, a thief who wanted to make restitution was required to pay back 7 times the value of what was stolen. That's a very hefty fine. But the choice would be theirs and they could have some control over their record and future. I'd also give them the bike as a further reminder of what they went to a lot of grief and expense over. Perhaps looking at the bike would curb any future inclinations to steal another motorcycle. As to the money received, I'd give $1000 to the police benevolent fund in appreciation of their efforts, a $1000 to the claims office if they'd take it for their time and efforts, and use the rest to buy a newer and bigger bike. I'd probably lose my motorcycle insurance policy because I settled out of court with the thief. So I'd end up paying a higher rate for insurance since I had a policy cancelled by an insurance company. But I think I could afford the higher rate for a few years. BIG GRIN. Thanks for you concern and good wishes. Stephen. PS to Yoon: when I take my after dark walks, this phrase does run through my head from time to time.... The Night belongs to the Hawk. Nighthawk! -- |Fidonet: sstubbs@shout.net |Internet: scott@conchbbs.com | | Standard disclaimer: The views of this user are strictly his own. --- # Origin: (1:106/357.99) * Origin: ConchGate (1:106/357.0) .