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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Cool! I really hope you enjoy it! Not to toot my own horn but, so far, everyone else who has read it told me that once they started it, they couldn't put it down. I hope you feel the same way . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on April 27, 2014 at 8:15 AM
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It is here and next to my bed ready for reading!!
posted by
Kabu
on April 26, 2014 at 5:45 PM
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Re:
Apparently it is, chuck! I can only hope that, if this so-called soda thief was to face some kind of judge or magistrate ( other than whoever came up with that initial fine amount, of course ) that more logical heads would prevail, and the fine reduced. If not, that's a heck of a fine to pay just for a few soda refills . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on April 25, 2014 at 12:58 PM
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Re: Jimmy
I actually try, Naut, not to think of situations like these in those terms, but as we've all come to learn, 'simple logic' is dying a slow death, right along side of common sense . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 25, 2014 at 12:54 PM
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Re:
I have a feeling, Annicita, that that may have been at least part of the problem: the sign(s) weren't clear enough, or properly displayed. I know taking something without paying is basically shoplifting; I had just never seen it attached to soda refills before! Regardless, the amount of the fine was ridiculous . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on April 25, 2014 at 12:53 PM
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Wow I can't believe it. Is this possible?
posted by
Chuck_E_Ibrahim
on April 25, 2014 at 12:25 PM
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Jimmy
This is the kind of idiocy that makes one depair of human 'intelligence' sometimes...
posted by
Nautikos
on April 25, 2014 at 10:13 AM
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in the retail world that is considered shoplifting since you are taking something without paying for it....
i agree that it is ridiculous as well as the fine amount...perhaps the sign should be put at the cashier station as well as the dispenser...
posted by
Annicita
on April 25, 2014 at 7:11 AM
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Re: jimmy
Geez, jean! This story seems to have ruffled your feathers a bit, but of course I fully understand why. Yes, every aspect of it is ridiculous, and perhaps it did all start when someone decided that those refills shouldn't be free. It got crazy from there! Thirty lashes with a wet noodle for everyone involved . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 25, 2014 at 4:54 AM
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Thanks, Kabu. Hopefully you'll be another 'satisfied customer!' I too prefer to hold an actual book in my hands. And I know what you mean about finishing one book before starting another. My friend recently lent me a book to read, but I was still about 3/4 of the way through another book, so it just has to wait. One at a time, one at a time . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 25, 2014 at 4:50 AM
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jimmy
in my world, the federal police officer would be fired, for being crazy or i would figure if that is all he can find to do, then we do not need him.
then i would find out who made the rule you have to pay for refills, you are right that amounts to pennies, and why they made that rule and i would fire them, or put them into jail for wasting everyones time.
and then i would find out who set the fine amount and make sure they got a new job sweeping the floors.
posted by
jeansaw
on April 24, 2014 at 3:55 PM
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Went to the post office today and your book has arrived. Didn't want to get it from here downloaded...i love to hold a book in my hands. read as I get sleepy in bed. I have to finish what I am reading...Ken Follett. World without end...then onto yours.
posted by
Kabu
on April 24, 2014 at 3:48 PM
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Re:
That probably would be, TAPS, the best way of preventing someone from doing exactly what this gentleman did. Granted there supposedly were signs saying that the refills weren't free, but I'll bet others probably did the same thing. The only difference was, he got caught . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 24, 2014 at 2:02 PM
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Re:
I'm going to take that, Bill, as a sign of "When it rains, it pours." And that's probably about right . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 24, 2014 at 1:59 PM
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There ought to be some more reasonable way to teach people lessons. Perhaps they should get rid of the drink serve-yourself dispensers and just sell the drinks each in a cup.
posted by
TAPS.
on April 24, 2014 at 1:18 PM
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posted by
BC-A
on April 24, 2014 at 8:50 AM
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Re: JimmyA
It sure is, Sir Wiley. I know people have used this particular reasoning in the past, but I can imagine these vets lamenting "Is this what we fought and died for?" Is there no clemency to be found anywhere anymore . . . ? 
posted by
JimmyA
on April 24, 2014 at 8:00 AM
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Re:
You're right about that, Kabu. That's why I said, it only costs pennies to make that damned soda in the first place, since it probably is more water than anything else! Also, knowing what a lot of politicians, law enforcement officers and other people of power help themselves to seemingly on a daily basis ( at our expense, of course ), can taking a little extra soda really be called shoplifting? Ridiculous . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 24, 2014 at 7:56 AM
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Re:
It is frustrating sometimes, isn't it, Justi? I think there are far more important things to be concerned with, far more dastardly crimes being committed that need to be addressed, than someone who takes an extra cup of soda or two! I'm not saying that what the guy did wasn't wrong. But it was probably deserving of just a little more leniency than he got . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 24, 2014 at 7:53 AM
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Re:
They should indeed, lovelylady. The article didn't say whether or not the man was actually a patient, but regardless, that's a ridiculous fine for simply helping yourself to a couple of extra cups of soda! I don't think there should have been any fine at all . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 24, 2014 at 7:49 AM
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Re:
It sure is, FSI! By my calculations, the fine covers about 580 refills of soda, which I highly doubt this man actually took! That's why I say the punishment hardly fits the crime . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 24, 2014 at 7:46 AM
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Re:
There's obviously worse offenses, C C T, than helping yourself to a soda refill! They may have wanted to make an example of this man, but just went a little over the top. I don't believe there's a 'Botany Bay' for soda pilferers . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 24, 2014 at 7:43 AM
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JimmyA
I'll bet he was a veteran as well. the fine is ridiculous.............
posted by
WileyJohn
on April 23, 2014 at 5:24 PM
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Seems excessive to me...ban him from the cafeteria, anything but don't put that sort of a fine on what cannot be called a crime. I mean the fact that most of those machines spit out more ice and water than soda is itself theft.
posted by
Kabu
on April 23, 2014 at 4:54 PM
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That is the US political system presently at work. They are turning out thousands of drug offenders because they don't deserve the punishment, says the white house, yet this? Who will do anything?
posted by
Justi
on April 23, 2014 at 3:36 PM
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That's just outrageous! This man obviously served his country if he was a patient at the VA hospital...and they want to fine him $525.00's just for refilling his soda???
These people should truly be ashamed of themselves...
posted by
lovelyladymonk
on April 23, 2014 at 12:09 PM
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I, too, feel that he should have been given a reprimand and paid for the last refill...That is one crazy fine amount that they came up with there.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on April 23, 2014 at 12:04 PM
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Well a nightmare scenario. Even worse than getting fined for parking on a line. I would be afraid to ask for a freebie, if there was one on offer. I suppose folk used to get shipped to Australia for stealing a deer.
posted by
C_C_T
on April 23, 2014 at 7:55 AM
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