I knew it...9 out of 10 of us are meth head criminals! - Page 3

I think the owner of that scrap yard - the Watson guy, he shouldn't be left out of this either. I bet he doesn't have an e-mail to his business lol after that story hit

Well being from minnesota, this article does have some truth..sad to say..my brothers junkie friends have been breaking into houses, stealing cars, n robbing ppl..those cash for gold places accept their stolen materials along with local yards.. One cash for gold place was buying cats off of junkies..the worst thing about it is the police wont listen to a word anyone says..if they actually did their job rather than writing seat belt tickets this state would be better off..

in conclusion, i will make the 40 min drive to this yard next week..i am more upset at the police on this story..i will send an email as im sure he wouldnt consider making a statement regarding his statistics..

Originally Posted by Bear

i notice they don't allow outside comments to their story, probably afraid it might get "tainted" with some factual truths ; )

He claims that figure came from the county sheriff's detective, must be a hek of a place to live

Try Latimer county in Oklahoma! Sorry, Bear!

Winding Stair Mountains

Originally Posted by Bear

Winding Stair Mountains

I'm talking more like...Panola Mountain, Red Oak,Wilburton...etc.

Originally Posted by scrappy888

Well being from minnesota, this article does have some truth..sad to say..my brothers junkie friends have been breaking into houses, stealing cars, n robbing ppl..those cash for gold places accept their stolen materials along with local yards..

I mean no disrespect towards you, however, you are making the same mistake the author did. Not one person here is saying that drug users do not scrap as a way to fund their addiction. That is completely undeniable. The biggest difference is saying that scrappers are drug users, and not "most drug users scrap." There is a tremendous difference here.

On a slightly related note, I emailed that address that address that was provided by admin. This is what I wrote:

"Hello,

I recently read your article (Copper prices, meth linked to recent uptick in scrapping thefts - Post Bulletin) discussing how 9 out of 10 scappers are meth heads.

My name is James. I’m 26 years old, and am from Maine. I have a 9-5 (40 hours a week) job, pay all of my bills, pay my taxes, and have never touched a drug in my life.

This article’s content seriously offends me and the great group of people that I work with. All of us are legally, morally, and ethically trying to help recycle, offer services to others, and create additional income for ourselves and for our families.

Slandering an entire group of people; those of us who scrap, is completely unacceptable and ignorant.

Do a very high amount of meth (or other drug) users scrap to make additional money? Probably. Many drug users sell everything they own, and turn to stealing in order to fund their addiction. One of the easiest ways for them is to scrap. However, for you to imply that all scrappers are doing this because of drugs is completely inaccurate, offensive, (inaccurately) stereotyping, and is also slander, and a character assassination. A better way to word it is that “9 out of 10 meth users scrap”, not “9 out of 10 scrapers are meth users.””

Do you understand the difference? Or was this article simply written for a shock factor to get views? Or worse yet, is this something you actually believe based off the information you have received?

Again, this is completely unacceptable and I believe you should do more research on this article content, retract the sentiments towards scrappers being drug users, and publish more accurate information.

Thank you for your time,

-James, Maine"

I love it up through there Little

well said koldes...btw, original poster: the mainstream media isnt exactly the place to get actual factual info try to remember that or you may knee jerk so hard you fall over and some meth head will sneak over and steal your scrap!

I wonder if anyone "linked" to this thread? ; )

Originally Posted by Bear

I wonder if anyone "linked" to this thread? ; )

I was thinking about it, but since I'm new here I didn't want to do so.

I am way to high to respond to this....did you see the size of that CHICKEN!!!!

Here is a good one. Cops pulling people over for hauling scrap. I live in a small town. On a dead end street with a ppark at the end. The cops patrol it all the time. Last night as I was unloading my days haul, scale on tailgate weighing ram and cpu's the Man stops to ask me if I'll take 2 computers, a couple tv's and some other stuff. I tell him ya and give him a card. Funny when people know your true character they don't look at things the same way.

Originally Posted by totalfish

..did you see the size of that CHICKEN!!!!

Young Guns. Great flick.

I recently did a farm cleanup for our local retired Sheriff. Good thing he didn't catch me..........oh wait, that was cash I put in his hand. What on Earth was I thinking? I could have used that money to get meth, instead of paying my repeat client. And another foolish move....I spent my profit on silly things like food, fuel, and my mortgage payment. Doh! That'll learn me.

Fired mine off tonight as follows:


Hello,

I was recently linked to the article you wrote about how 9 out of 10 scrappers use methamphetamine. I personally take offense to this statement. I am a mother of 3 and have been ''scrapping'' for 2 years now. I work on this 7 days a week to help put food on the table and pay bills. It also teaches my children, family and friends how important recycling is. I have, through hard work, a friendly face and perseverance built up a steady clientele of people who trust me to recycle their product safely. It is insulting to hear such a blanket statement made about scrappers when what it *should* have said was ''9 out of 10'' meth users get their drug money from selling scrap they stole. There is a big difference in that description don't you think?

Have you seen the economy lately? An increase in people turning in scrap is due to the increase in unemployed workers who need food every day. Scrapping brings me a weekly income which my family needs when jobs are scarce. I don't use drugs. What I do do though, is help clean up the environment and educate how important recycling really is and how it benefits everyone involved in the process from start to finish. I really hope you don't support Mr. Watson's stance on scrappers, if you do shame on you. Maybe you should have done a little more research before making such a blanket statement about scrap metal recyclers.

Copied below for reference are the comments I found most offensive.


Thank you,

Cindy Gesaman






"Ninety percent of people involved in scrapping use methamphetamine, Nelson estimates, and they often have warrants out for their arrest."




"It seems that it (the increase in scrapping) is really an increase in the number of people that are on drugs," Watson said. "A lot of the guys that come through, my personal belief would be that they are on meth."

One of the reasons why I keep my scrapping hobby to myself. Terrified of my landlord finding out & booting me out because he thinks I am a methhead.

Note: I do all my tearing down of scrap at my work & store it in my apartment in boxes.

Originally Posted by dirtymoney

One of the reasons why I keep my scrapping hobby to myself. Terrified of my landlord finding out & booting me out because he thinks I am a methhead.

Note: I do all my tearing down of scrap at my work & store it in my apartment in boxes.

I doubt you have much to worry about as long as you signed a good, valid lease and don't leave junk laying out all over your apartment. Generally, a landlord can't kick out a tenant arbitrarily based upon suspicion alone (unless of course the lease gives the landlord that right). I think if they honestly suspected that you were doing drugs, the first thing they would do is notify the police, and if they are worth their salt, they would easily see that there are no illicit activities going on inside your home.