sigh

[nature boy]

[Wetundies]

How about have them run naked through a golf course like Gene Simmons?

[Duncan]

Apparently ICBC and London Drugs are going to file civil suits against the looters and rioters to try to recover some of the damages. It seems as though some of the rioters will indeed have to pay in monetary terms if this goes through.

[joel]

[nature boy]

i was reading an article today about when is enough enough?
that chick that stole a couple pairs of pants (for which she apologized and returned) used to work at burrard acura. they fired her. but they're STILL getting calls from angry people telling them off saying that they'll never buy a car there and support people who would hire such a lowlife scum.

apparently there are lots of employers facing this same thing, as though they're responsible for the rioters actions.

but really? the riot was so last week. get lives or something man.

[se7entse7en]

Just some thoughts...

IMO, let the law handle the punishment. If we're not satisifed with how the gov't deals with these criminals, then that's a problem that we should have with the gov't.

Black marking these people for life just sets them up for a life of crime. Instead of firing her, I think I'd rather see a more creative punishment from Acura. Try turn a negative into a positive... especially if she was a valuable employee... which she may or may not have been.

On the other hand, if the law throws the book at them, then so be it.

I guess what I'm kinda trying to say is that I think I'd like to see a combination of Law and Grace applied to these people.

As far as the 'civilized' people trying to boycott Acura because they had her as an employee, well... it just kinda sounds like a mob of another sort. See how easy a mob can start?

As for the rioters coming forward, apologizing and turning themselves in... well... talk is cheap... especially after they've already been identified. I'd like to see them punish themselves even before the law comes down on them.

[joel]

yeah call me cynical but i just don't see people punishing themselves or even coming forward unless they are forced too.

if i was an employer i too would be concerned about having an employee known to participate in a riot and steal. each employer has to weigh the pros and cons of firing any employee on a regular basis. for all we know the employer could have been looking for a reason to fire her in the first place.

None of them are really black marked for life unless any of them are actually convicted of a crime. how many people will actually remember the face or name of a rioter a year from now..

i think if rioters aren't charged in the courts then they have already been shown significant amount of grace.

[se7entse7en]

[nature boy]

without getting too theological, the whole idea behind "law and grace" is that we feel convicted by the law, in that we know that we can never uphold it, but grace comes and soothes our guilt by telling us that we are still loved regardless. so what joel said would be accurate in that the rioters if ever in court would feel the guilt and shame which comes from the law but if they are let go they would feel the grace.

having said that, i think the rioters should pay for what they've done. not in a vengeful sense but in hopes that they'd learn what their actions cost the city and people's livelihood. they should have been the first to wake up last thursday morning to help clean up and they should be working for those business for free until the damages are paid off. putting them in jail or even publicly humiliating them won't exactly teach them a lesson as much as it might just fuel their anger for being caught and/or hatred for the city.

we all make bad choices. just not all of us get caught.

[se7entse7en]

[nature boy]

actually now that i think about it, "grace" probably isn't exactly the right term either.
grace = getting what you don't deserve.
mercy = not getting what you do deserve.

but i guess that's neither here nor there.

[[JT]]

Firing an employee cause of this is not for punishment, it's more of a way to save their own asses in terms of reputation.

[nature boy]

actually it could get them in trouble too. apparently some lawyer was consulted on a radio show or something, and involvement in a riot may or may not be seen as just cause for termination. it depends on the job that you have. being a receptionist at a car dealer wouldn't hold too many responsibilities. the point is that she could probably still do her job.

not everyone was fired, some are just suspended until the employer can figure out what to do with them.

[Wetundies]

like fire them.