Bribers and Bunglers

Some thoughts about bribery--when it's a crime and when it's not--more thoughts about blogging, the crime survey, and bungling burglars.

Bribery can be a necessity, like it or not. The bribe may go to a cop to avoid arrest - that's crime - or go to a waiter as a tip to ensure good service (or reward it). Basically, a bribe is a benefit provided to the recipient outside the scope of requirement or obligation, and a benefit is expected in return. It happens every day in many different ways. The practice starts in childhood, except parents term it "a reward," usually in addition to whatever is earned. It's not always tainted or criminal. Even a dog will take a bribe if it has enough meat on it.

The point is: some bribes are criminal, some are not. In this week's article I look at some that definitely are.

I'm new to this blogging business, not sure whether to use it to vent or just have some fun. From time to time, I think, fun will prevail. Take stupid crimes, for instance. The burglar who steals a rifle but forgets to take the bolt for it. Or the burglar who gets a hernia trying to steal a massive penny collection. Both cases are for real. Then there's the story of the burglar who made himself a meal in the victim's kitchen. The victim was justifiably angry - not about the loss of his goods, but because the burglar didn't wash up the dishes afterward.

Our little crime survey is boogeying along very nicely. It isn't representative because the numbers are still small, but it does offer readers two cents worth of opinion. Then there's the discussion page ... that's got to be worth more, plus it gives me a challenge to which I can occasionally respond. Maybe it'll keep me sharp or, at least, not nearly so dull.