Cat got stolen.

Happened Friday night. For about $300 worth of stuff, they cost me $3300 (insurance covered $2800, but that still comes out of my pocket in the long run).
People suck.
Reminds me of when Philips opened a light bulb factory somewhere in Africa. State of the art, and somehow they had a failure rate of over 85%. After an investigation, they discovered the employees were stealing the filiment worth fractions of a penny, to sell. They closed down the factory, and Africa lost its largest light bulb factory which could have served millions. This is why we have food deserts in urban areas.
People suck.

 

So specifically for security purposes, I live at the dead end of a dead end. Meaning, the entry into my town house complex is off of a dead end. My mind is thinking constantly about security so that day-to-day, I don't have to think about it at all. I parked the car at the end of the initial dead end which means it was on the street. I don't have space to park in front of my garage without being discourteous to my neighbors (I live in Texas, so courtesy is kind of part of our social programming) They swiped it from there.
My mechanic looked at it and told me they are pros. They had a special cutting machine and knew exactly what they were doing. Who process took them a little over an hour, according to my mechanic. And since he's not a thief. Been going to the same mechanic for the last 28 years and trust him with both of my Lotuses [which is why there's no space in my garage], I'm guessing he's wrong about how look it too them.
I'm just pissed. And the terrible thing is that this is a long-term cultural change in us. Petty crimes are ok no matter how much they hurt people. Were I scraping by and didn't have full coverage, this theft would have meant not being able to pay rent for a several months. I've made decisions which put me in a position where this is an annoyance rather than devastating. Not everyone has the introspection nor the planning to plans to be ready for these kinds of things years, even decades, in advance.
I remember a mother whos son was shot and killed for a burglary. "He can't find a job. How else is is supposed to make money." Go ask that same question to the illegal immigrants who pay coyotoes thousands of dollars so they can cross the Chuihuahuan desert by foot. There are jobs, just not ones that our poor think is worth their dignity. Yeah, well, screw them because that same asshat stole my cat.
Those people suck. And the people who give them cover "oh, they gotta make a living because society keeps them down." Yeah, they're part of the problem too, but we make excuses for them because they're "compassionate."

 

Kind of a genius. I parked on plain dirt. Apparently not enough.

 

Being nice is is a bottomless pit where the nice person bears no responsibility nor cost. But they get to feel superior about their compassion. Demanding people take responsibility for their actions (and not just say "I take responsibility) by making amends and changing behavior requires work and ultimately builds a character which prevents future things for which to apologize. People who are "compassionate" are part of the problem because they give cover to people who hurt others. I'm not saying they're just as guilty, but they, at least, suck if suck less.

 

^ Along my point, my parents beat me as a teenager for stealing a stop sign. During the beating, they reminded me, "People can die because of what you did. You can't do this. People get hurt." The lesson stuck.
. . .but corporal punishment is always child abuse these days. Even if you're not convicted by a jury, your name will be in the CPS system for the rest of your life.

 

I'm doubtful they scouted since the dead end I live at is a good 100ft, and I have to walk back that 100ft in order to get into my driveway and would have noticed. I think they just happen to be driving back and forth and found the Prius.
The terrible thing about our political climate is that one's failings is always someone else's fault. Because it's someone else's fault, that gives license to folks to steal from others. I mean, if I'm a victim, I am justified in evening out things, right? This cultural shift has been happening since the late 80s. A good primer is Arthur Blooms, "Closing of the American Mind."
People suck. And there's a lot of blame to go around for why we're here where we are. I've never thought or said this, but my next home is going to be in a gated community. . .and to think I used to deride gated communities as needing a sign at the entrance saying, "Minorities and poor folks go away."

 

I'm reminded that I'm the bad guy for thinking that people should be responsible for their lives. "Yeah, but the system is unfair and built to keep them down." I couldn't agree me. My life would be waaaaaay better were I not a minority and a lot more physically attractive. I demand that society even the playing field so the less attractive enjoy the same sexual options as those who are smoking hot.

 

Didn't go through the dealership. Went to my mechanic of 25+ years. He got it in a few days.