Put in a open room full of gold, and no one to guard ... what will you do ?

[Ram]

I'll fill my pocket and get out of there ... like what most in Iraq did.
[story]
[Shortened link text for readability - Jim]
[ April 24, 2003: Message edited by: Jim Yingst ]

[Jason Menard]

Originally posted by Ram:
I'll fill my pocket and get out of there ... like what most in Iraq did.
[story]

Who do you mean by "most in Iraq"? A few soldiers, a few journalists, and probably thousands of impovershed Iraqis, out of a nation of 25 million, may have been responsible for appropriating things they shouldn't have.
As for what I would do, the way I look at it is this... If it is laws and the fear of consequences if one breaks those laws that keeps an individual from commiting acts like theft, then when placed in a situation free from the consequences of breaking those laws, one may be likely to commit these acts. If however one places restraint on oneself because of morals and an inner sense of right and wrong, one would be unlikely to commit such acts. I place myself in the latter category and would therefore not choose to fill my pockets.
[Shortened link text for readability - Jim]
[ April 24, 2003: Message edited by: Jim Yingst ]

[Michael Morris]

If however one places restraint on oneself because of morals and an inner sense of right and wrong, one would be unlikely to commit such acts. I place myself in the latter category and would therefore not choose to fill my pockets.

Well said Jason. Fear of consequences is the worst motivator of all. Honor is the greatest.

[Cindy Glass]

Theft is theft.
Rationalizing it does not make it OK.
And this is basically stealing from a people who have ALREADY suffered enough.
I hope they let those reporters take the appropriate consequences.
I am fairly sure that the military guy will get a court marshall out of this.

[Thomas Paul]

I could never live with myself if I stole something. I even give back the money when the cashier gives me too much change.

[Ram]

I came up with this question when I was reading this artical to be specific the below line
"Most of the people caught smuggling the items were reporters returning from covering the war in Iraq" thatwas the only reason I asled this question.
My clear intent was not put the blame on any one in particular. Though I intended to start this thread in Sindbad style "Valley of diamod without poisoneous snakes" .. it has taken other unexpected turn. Any way I made myself clear now .. though only in my second attempt.

[Jason Menard]

Originally posted by Ram:
"Most of the people caught smuggling the items were reporters returning from covering the war in Iraq"

Although I admit it's not very fair of me, my default assumption for reporters is that they are usually lacking somewhat in the morals department.

[Ram]

Originally posted by Jason Menard:

If however one places restraint on oneself because of morals and an inner sense of right and wrong, one would be unlikely to commit such acts. I place myself in the latter category and would therefore not choose to fill my pockets.

I do believe in what you say, because you might live in a place and position, where that is not required. Have you ever seen people who have no mean to survive not because of their mistake but because of the society and social condition, they live in ?. Majority of people, like you, have the morals and inner sense to decide what is right and wrong but they make their decision based on their circumstances and do it on yours.
By the way I won't talk for the reporters because they have drifed away from their work ethics, I may to a smallest extent pardon the soldiers (be it any country) because they have risked their life to come till this and most of them have real career after comming out of the Army and they didn't steal from individual.
[ April 24, 2003: Message edited by: Ram ]

[Cindy Glass]

Although I admit it's not very fair of me, my default assumption for reporters is that they are usually lacking somewhat in the morals department.
All the more reason that they should be made an example of.
(yes - I know, a dangling participle . . . it complete defiance of the reporters who would cringe to see it ).
[ April 24, 2003: Message edited by: Cindy Glass ]

[Jason Menard]

Originally posted by Ram:
Have you ever seen people who have no mean to survive not because of their mistake but because of the society and social condition, they live in ?

Yes. I feel I understand the looting by many Iraqis and don't hold it against them. It was to be expected quite honestly. It's too bad many didn't realize that it was only themselves they were stealing from though.

[Jason Menard]

Originally posted by Cindy Glass:
All the more reason that they should be made an example of.

I totally agree!

[Ram]

Originally posted by Jason Menard:

Yes. I feel I understand the looting by many Iraqis and don't hold it against them. It was to be expected quite honestly. It's too bad many didn't realize that it was only themselves they were stealing from though.

I felt it was more of a revenge than looting. Many of the looters would now be wondering what to do this their "booty".

[Christophe Lee]

What if you stole something, lived off of it for many years and grew comfortable with it, but never realized it was stolen?

[Cindy Glass]

If it is so obscure that you do not even KNOW that you stole it then other issues than honesty and ethics come into play.
For instance the entire topic of property rights and forfeiture could be debated for years.
These folks in IRAQ knew exactly what they were doing. They just thought that they could get away with it :roll: .

[Ram]

Originally posted by Christophe Lee:
What if you stole something, lived off of it for many years and grew comfortable with it, but never realized it was stolen?

You could have been a active member of Saddam's Party