Comments on: The Web as Public Pillory

By: stacey

stacey — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 17:59:02 +0000

In the story of the girl and the stollen phone, I wasn’t clear, was the mother aware it was stollen when she bought it? When did the girl find out? It sounded like she was aware and the ‘mistake’ she made was using some features that lead to her being discovered. Unfortunatley, I think this is a common perception, “Oh, she shoulda done this or that so she didn’t get busted.” What she should have done, was be honest. I think what they have gotten from the public has been excessive, I mean, none of these people threatening them were affected, so they need to shut up. But, maybe there is a lesson in here the Mother and Daughter can learn, I just hope it isn’t, ‘Next time, we got to be more careful so we don’t get caught.’ Honesty is always the best quality…. I hope that mantra never dies, but I fear it ain’t as healthy as it use to be.

Stacey

By: Kyso K

Kyso K — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 00:34:18 +0000

You’re right, of course. There was nothing in that situation that couldn’t have been resolved with a few phone calls to the police and the service provider, especially if Ivanna had already reported her phone as lost the day she lost it.

The problem with the shaming is that there is even less control over it than when it was a small-town thing. You put that information out and you have no idea if someone is going to go too far. One person calling her a theif, OK, multiple people seeking her out to do so on their own volition – gettin’ creepy. There’s no one to direct the mob or step in if it goes too far.

By: Tim Who?

Tim Who? — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 15:13:30 +0000

People’s abilities to out right stealsomething and and then pretend is OK has always amazed me. (and its getting worse) Maybe its because I’m old and was brought up in a different time? Who knows. But for the life of me I can’t imagine buying what I know is stolen, or then refusing to returning it to the rightfull owner.

I once found a wallet with $1,300 in it. I spent 3 days tracking down the owner and when I handed it to him he slipped into his back pocket and said Thanks, all without ever opening the wallet. I asked, aren’t you going to open it? He said anyone that would spend that much time and effort to return the wallet isn’t the kind of person that would steal money out of it. Come’on let me buy you a beer…

He was right.

I’m glad this girl was arrested, I feel the mother (who bought it) should also have been arrested. Fine them both $500 (10 X the price of the phone) And let them spend 500 hours walking around subway stations picking up trash left behind but other thoughtless patrons.

And the Army brat should be booted out of the military. Lying and threatening is not a trait we need in our men in uniform.

(Looks like Momma raised all her children to the same high standards)

By: terrance

terrance — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 20:32:35 +0000

I guess I should have added that in this post I’m in no way condoning stealing, buying stolen merchandise, inconsiderate cellphone usage, or failure to scoop your pup’s poop.

By: Tlazolteotl

Tlazolteotl — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 18:11:04 +0000

Unfortunately, it seems that with some people, shaming them is the ONLY way to get them to do the right thing (or even to behave decently)!

By: ChgoRed

ChgoRed — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 17:58:41 +0000

So…the mom bought a phone she almost certainly knew was stolen ($50 on a subway platform–hmmm), then gave it to her daughter, who refused to give it back even after she heard from the owner. And then her brother threatened the guy who put up the Website. And then they want the victim to pay the $50 they paid for the phone??? Gee–I am really having a hard time feeling sorry for this family.

While I understand your concern, Sasha and her family supported crime by buying the phone in the first place. As someone who has had her wallet stolen twice, and who lives with the knowledge that her SSN (which was on my ID) is effectively forever out of her possession, I have NO sympathy for them. I would laugh with glee if I saw worse happen to the [chuckleheads] who ripped me off. Does that make me judgemental? Sure. Sasha and her family could have avoided the whole circus if, like decent people, they’d given back the phone in the beginning.