Peer said:
Yes, it's in our heads, and since I often end up playing the devil's advocate (some of you might even think I aspire to become the devil himself) I must say that I like Patrick Johnson's scenario, especially since the initial post (above) didn't describe this woman much more than being "cue-ignorant" and "widowed". Hence, I choose to think that she killed her husband and spent his life-insurance on crack.
In fact, I was actually in a slightly similar situation (sans the crack) as I was buying a 120 year old Brunswick off someone who didn't really know the value of this cue. However, the difference was that I ended up paying top dollars for it, not because I'm ethical or a good person but simply because I'm a fool and an idiot. To make things worse, I'm now having it "bastardized" by no other than Ryan Theewen (Rat Cues) in the hopes of converting it into a real playing cue, (Ryan, I'm still waiting ;^)
-- peer
By the way, I happen to know that Mr. Bumpypickle has no friends and lives alone in a van by the river. He also microwaves cute puppies for breakfast every morning.
I have read this thread and the other thread, and it brings an old saying to mind. I use to work for an old farmer back in Missouri when I was a teenager. This old gentleman was very very wise along with being 85 years old. Now his favorite saying was that Locks keep honest people honest. Now these threads only further show how true this statement actually is. Now the other thread that this one alludes to clearly shows how easy some one will take advantage of another just because they clearly know that they won't be caught or exposed for their actions. Now it doesn't mean that under normal circumstances ( When they know that they may get caught) that are always dishonest in thought and deed.
It is kinda like a person who has never stolen anything in they entire life. One day they are in line in a store and another customer drops a $100 bill in front of them without knowing it. Now no one else sees this happen, except the person above who at this point in their life really needs the extra money. So this honest person knowing they will not be caught places their foot on the $100 bill and waits to carefully pick it up. In most cases this same person would be afraid to act in this manner, but with no Chance of being caught sometimes a person inhibitions melt away.
This is where check and balances (Locked Door) come into how people act. Given the same situation with a $100 bill laying on a car seat with the windows up and the doors locked the person above would have never have attempted to gain access by breaking the window or by forcing the door. Where a thief would not hesitate to do whatever was necessary to get the money.
In my opinion the person taking advantage of the the old Lady to get a cue he knew was valuable for almost nothing is a Scum Bag. Given a situation where he thought or knew that his actions would result in exposure and consequences he would have thought about it and maybe he would have handled it differently. However, if he is a thief which may also be the case nothing would stop his actions no matter what.
I personally think the guy is a scum bag, I have people come into my business all the time who would like information or who want to sell cues. I treat people like I want to be treated and that is all I will say on this subject, oh and by the way, my Business is doing very very well, I don't know maybe it is Carma!!!!!!!!! I also think that some people have no feeling where others are concerned, but by doing what is right I always sleep very well, and that is my only concern.
