The following is a “next-booth” conversation overheard at the McDonald’s restaurant in Hempstead, Texas. It is not word for word since taking notes while eavesdropping is considered bad form.
The conversation was between two ladies who were discussing the untimely demise of a mutual friend.
“Shot him down like a dog. All over some stuff.”
“Yeah, a computer and a TV. It just ain’t right. He wasn’t trying to hurt anybody.”
“J.T. was a good dude. He was just doing his thing to try and feed his babies. Nobody would give him a job because of his record.”
“I know. I mean, what’s he supposed to do? You don’t shoot somebody over stuff.”
“Ain’t that why they have insurance? Let the dude take the stuff and let the insurance pay for it.”
“Now those babies don’t have a daddy and the guy that shot him, they ain’t going to do anything to him. He killed J.T. dead and he gets to walk away.”
“The system’s all messed up, that’s all I can say.”
It was at this juncture that one of the ladies noticed my interest, they both gave me the “glare” and I picked up my crumpled wrappings and left. I suppose that my point, if there even is one, is that this short overheard conversation points to a plethora of societal ills, ones that could make for hours of discussion. But that’s subject matter for several other posts.
rixlibris 
Methinks there’s something else going on if the guy who shot is going to walk away.
Apparently J.T. was caught burglarizing the guy’s house, which can be a capital offense here in Texas. Or put differently, an occupational hazard in the burglary trade.
Ah, yeah, that makes sense.
Poor J.T. Not that he was right to burglarize but being killed like that, it’s a bit too abrupt.
Thanks for your comment. We seem to agree on most subjects but when it comes to finding a stranger prowling through your house, especially at night, with no idea what his intentions, mind set or the degree to which he might not value human life (yours or your family’s), I would err on the side of caution. Wander into a mama bear’s cave, where she has her young, and she isn’t likely to call “Smokey.” When seconds count, help is always minutes away.
You are very right when stated like that. I am sure reflex for protection has a lot to do with it. It’s just unfortunate that some have to resort to pilfering and burgling to get something to eat if that’s the case of J.T
46% of Americans are on food stamps, 51% receive some sort of federal assistance money (to be fair most of this has been earned as legitimate entitlements), there are food pantries everywhere, and all sorts of organizations set up to help people in need. Anyone truly down and out has resources available to seek help but there are none that I know of set up to supply cash to buy illegal drugs or that offer the same “instant aid” to be found in stealing. Morals and ethics aside, it is still a matter of choice and choices have consequences.