Let's talk ethics - Stealing specifically

In particular, theft. Otherwise known as stealing.

I am sure that I do not have to mention that it is in fact illegal no matter what state you reside in as well as the religious laws that you may or may not follow. ( we are not going to discuss religion here.)

Being that it is illegal and just plain wrong on so many counts, I have to wonder why in this day and age with the internet, someone would feel the need to blab or brag about it on a forum. Once it is out there, it is out there. When I moderated for a very large BBQ forum, a member was going through a divorce. Well, some pages got printed out and used against him in court.

This being said, if you engage in thievery, please do yourself and the rest of us a large favor and do not brag about it here in our very nice forum. It can come back to bite you in the butt, and it makes us ALL look bad.

This is in no way pointing the finger at anyone, it is just something that I have been wanting to make a post about for some time. If anyone thinks this is about them, it seriously is not. I also am not touting myself as being perfect. I for one have done stupid stuff all the way from cradle to who knows when

One more thought as long as I am on my soapbox. I did a few days work once some time ago for a guy. He relayed a story of his tools being stolen. He went to Maxwell street(flea market type thing in Chicago) to get some replacements because he had to work that day. He ended up finding most of his tools that were stolen that had his SS# engraved in them and had to buy them back. The cops did not want to get involved. That story from him prompted me to adopt the mantra: "Never buy anything stolen. Otherrwise you will eventually be buying your own stuff". So, for the last 20 or better years, if there was any hint whatsoever that someone was trying to sell me something that "fell off a truck", I turned around and walked the other way. If enough people did that, the thieves would not steal.

Again, this forum is NOT the proper place to discuss stealing of anything or the peddling of anything stolen.

/steps off of soapbox.

as you can tell Im the type person that likes to handle situations, myself, Im not the "rat" type. that said O have enough experience in micro business that I asure you if we dong "police" ourselves and those in our business, the regulators and then the real police will gladly and eagerly do it for us, this is not speculation this is hard fact.

In florida we have the castle law, and if you steal from me on my property you take the chance of ending up dead. off my property I am not apposed to taking notes and liscense plate numbers. Thievery and unethical actions WILL bring unwanted attention which in turn will bring more regulation and before you can say I wish I would have, you and most of the rest of us will be out of business.

Thanks for the post, I had never thought about anything that I post on here or any other forum being used against me in court.

along this line I would like to see suggestions for an independent recyclers/eco engineers code of ethics.

1. I am familiar with and comply with
all local and commenity laws and regulations concerning recycling. Private property and tresspassing.

Just thought of something...wouldn't a person technically be trespassing when they go to the door to ask about their scrap?

"Trespassing" does not simply mean being on someone else s property. The common legal definition of trespass is "An unlawful intrusion that interferes with one's person or property." So no, knocking on the door does not mean you are trespassing.

Originally Posted by Mick

Usually, not if they go straight to the door. Then not unless told to leave.

That would be my take on that, as well.

Originally Posted by Billiard MD

"Trespassing" does not simply mean being on someone else s property. The common legal definition of trespass is "An unlawful intrusion that interferes with one's person or property." So no, knocking on the door does not mean you are trespassing.

Same in my opinion as well.

Good to know. Thanks.

Reckon yer gettin alot of people asking about yer stuff as well? Just today i had 2 people ask about my trailer that had some random tin in it. Things are gettin ridiculous.

Originally Posted by IdahoScrapper

Good to know. Thanks.

Hi I'm new to the site but had to join after I saw this thread so I could say thanks for posts/things like this.

Originally Posted by Ptscrapper

Thanks for the post, I had never thought about anything that I post on here or any other forum being used against me in court.

When ever telling stories be they just that always speak in the 3rd person.

Originally Posted by TheHoss

Reckon yer gettin alot of people asking about yer stuff as well? Just today i had 2 people ask about my trailer that had some random tin in it. Things are gettin ridiculous.

Hey bud, don't know how I missed this one. Yeah, I was getting a few people stopping by asking if they could have my metal. And those are just the ones I know of. Who knows if people stopped by while I was out collecting scrap.

Anyways one had a sob story about how her husband was laid up and she was the breadwinner now and what not. Sorry to hear that, but times are tough for a lot of people. I didn't spent my time, gas and energy to go out and round up scrap, just to give it away.

I don't fault her for inquiring. A person never knows until they ask. Though Hoss has seen my place so it should be obvious what it is I do haha.

One guy offered to buy a vehicle from me. Something didn't sit well with me about him, so I declined.

I agree that there is nothing wrong with asking but sometimes it seems like people just NAG me to death. Sometimes I'll be on a construction site pulling wire and terminating devices. And as I am collecting my scrap in a bag, several people will walk by me asking if my bag is "trash" because they think that I don't know any better.