jaylectricity: Sometimes I walk into a Burger King to use their bathroom and enjoy the air conditioning. I leave without buying anything after a few minutes. Did I steal their electricity?

That depends. Did you recharge your cell phone while you were in the bathroom?

Kazan: hogans: Why does a homeless man have a cell phone?

because a cheap prepaid phone that he barely uses can be had for less than $20/month easily.

unlike an apartment, which many homeless people cannot even get if they had the money because of credit history, etc.

$8.33/ month if his usage is really low, t-mobile prepay is $100 for 1000 minutes and if you buy the $100 fill they don't expire for a year.

Well it will cost the people of his county 400 bucks a day to house a guy for stealing -20 cent of power
/Great work there boys

themeaningoflifeisnot:
Travel much? More and more airports are covering up outlets, forcing passengers to use pay charging stations. Fortunately, I can still usually find an open outlet at an unoccupied gate desk.

That is the exact opposite of what is happening in most airports.

jagec: themeaningoflifeisnot:
Travel much? More and more airports are covering up outlets, forcing passengers to use pay charging stations. Fortunately, I can still usually find an open outlet at an unoccupied gate desk.

That is the exact opposite of what is happening in most airports.

It is easier to make a point with made up facts.

hogans: Why does a homeless man have a cell phone?

Where do they send the bill?

carrying a concealed weapon after the officer found a folding knife tucked underneath his shirt.

tucked underneath his shirt? B.S.

Last time I tucked anything 'underneath my shirt', it was a birthday card, and I was holding it with a hand.

I think it should read: "...found a folding knife tucked inside his jeans pocket, which his shirt was obscuring."
A clever place indeed to place something...



A pocket knife, in a pocket.

jaylectricity: Sometimes I walk into a Burger King to use their bathroom and enjoy the air conditioning. I leave without buying anything after a few minutes. Did I steal their electricity?

No. Burger King invited you into their establishment and provided those things for your use. It is a well understood concept that retail establishments will offer low cost or free items in return for drawing you closer to their point of sale. In fact, sometimes free electricity is a loss leader itself. (Free wifi, or offers to sit down and plug in your laptop, etc)

Very likely, you did not commit theft of services as long as you were legally allowed to be on their property.

If were informed that use of the restroom was for customers who have already purchased an item that business day, and you then used the restroom, you would probably be committing theft of services, or trespass.

"Cell phone + electrical outlet = jail. Wait, watt?"



FTFY you subby

SpaceButler: hogans: Why does a homeless man have a cell phone?

Because they don't cost nearly as much as shelter?

They cost more than a meal. And who the fark is he calling?

drjekel_mrhyde: Well it will cost the people of his county 400 bucks a day to house a guy for stealing -20 cent of power
/Great work there boys

Max Awesome: hogans: Why does a homeless man have a cell phone?

Why shouldn't he have a cell phone? He's still a human being, not a mindless zombie.

Wow. Really?

robodog: ArkAngel: I guess if he doesn't learn his lesson now, he'll be... recharged

YEAHHHH!!!



In reality, it may be a small thing, but he is essentially stealing electricity from whomever's building he used to charge his phone and costing them money

Oh noes, pennies a year. Seriously, 1W continuous usage costs $1/year at average US rates so a cellphone with a max power draw of probably 250mw costs at most $.25/year. It will cost more for his public defender to take his first breath than the value of all of the electricity his phones will use in a lifetime.
/go be poor somewhere else
//that's the real motivation

Still not his electricity. It is still taking it from someone else without their consent.

hogans: Why does a homeless man have a cell phone?
-----------------------
So that he can stay in touch with his family. So that he can receive calls for job interviews. So that he can call for help if he gets injured. Basically, so that he can do anything you or I do with a telephone. Why shouldn't he have one? Sure, it's $10-$30, (maybe more, but I'm thinking this is a pre- paid, no- contract phone) a month, which may be hard for a homeless guy to get hold of, but it's certainly a reasonable expense.

libranoelrose: So you can't carry a knife in your pocket, or it's an arrest for a concealed weapon?

Which charge is worse?

The one for battery.

jst3p: Mensan: I can't remember the last time I was at an airport, waiting for a flight, and didn't plug in my phone and/or computer. I hope I remember to not do so in Maine!

To play devils advocate you are a customer and they put them there specifically for travelers use, so it isn't really a valid comparison.

Go ahead and play, but you might want to take a flight in the near future. Smart Carte issued a press release in 2006 stating they had their rapid charge kiosks installed in 10 airports, with more to come. As Themeaningoflifeisnot pointed out, airports with these charging kiosks have been covering or hiding their outlets, forcing consumers to pay for kiosk use.

In two airports I moved seats to use an outlet, in one I moved a trash can, and in one I moved a planter with a small tree to use the outlet. But these days I am seeing plastic or metal plates covering what used to be a power outlet.

fusillade762: sweet-daddy-2: jaylectricity: Sometimes I walk into a Burger King to use their bathroom and enjoy the air conditioning. I leave without buying anything after a few minutes. Did I steal their electricity?

I took a roll of toliet paper. Was I wrong?

I always swipe a bunch of ketchup packets. BK's ketchup is extra tasty.

Plastic forks,etc.are handy when you don't feel up to washing dishes at home.

ArkAngel:
In reality, it may be a small thing, but he is essentially stealing electricity from whomever's building he used to charge his phone and costing them money

Very true. I think he should be fined the exact amount of the electricity he stole.

jaylectricity: Sometimes I walk into a Burger King to use their bathroom and enjoy the air conditioning. I leave without buying anything after a few minutes. Did I steal their electricity?

Wait, wait ... I know this one. The doctor is your mother ! no?
The house was a lighthouse! ... am I close?

upright_apes_r_us: sweet-daddy-2 2011-06-29 10:20:50 PM
jaylectricity: Sometimes I walk into a Burger King to use their bathroom and enjoy the air conditioning. I leave without buying anything after a few minutes. Did I steal their electricity?

I took a roll of toliet paper. Was I wrong?

Why mix implied consent and a absence of permission as if they were the same conditions?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19176237/ns/us_news-weird_news/t/did-butts-play-ro l e-toilet-paper-theft/

Because it's Fark?

I was wondering if I should ever attempt charging a cell phone like that. I decided not to because of cases like those where cops would follow homeless guys around behind the warehouse, across the tracks and into the bushes to arrest them for Public Urination and even Indecent Exposure. Heaven forfend if the grievous offense cost somebody a penny!

A few years ago in Louisville, KY, a white cop claimed self defense when he shot a fleeing black youth in the back on a busy street in front of dozens of witnesses.

This cell phone charging case fits squarely is on the How Evil Can Cops Be continuum.

newton: carrying a concealed weapon after the officer found a folding knife tucked underneath his shirt.

tucked underneath his shirt? B.S.

Last time I tucked anything 'underneath my shirt', it was a birthday card, and I was holding it with a hand.

I think it should read: "...found a folding knife tucked inside his jeans pocket, which his shirt was obscuring."
A clever place indeed to place something...



A pocket knife, in a pocket.

Most days I have a .45 cal Glock 36 partly inside the waist of my pants, the rest tucked under my shirt. Sometimes I carry a Smith & Wesson Sigma .380 entirely in my front right pocket.

I agree that a pocketknife with a three inch blade, even if it is clipped to the belt or waist band and under a shirt, hardly qualifies as a concealed weapon. And yes, I understand a lot of police officers would think I should go to jail just for questioning the opinion and authority of the arresting officer.

eddiesocket: SpaceButler: hogans: Why does a homeless man have a cell phone?

Because they don't cost nearly as much as shelter?

They cost more than a meal. And who the fark is he calling?

He is homeless. Where does that imply that he cannot afford food? The only thing being homeless implies is a lack of a permanent physical address.

You can be homeless and have a job. Perhaps he wants to be available in case his employer, or a prospective employer tries to reach him?

What's smarter to put on a job application, a cell phone number, or the number of a homeless shelter with instructions on how to leave a message that will reach you?

Greek: hogans: Why does a homeless man have a cell phone?
-----------------------
So that he can stay in touch with his family. So that he can receive calls for job interviews. So that he can call for help if he gets injured. Basically, so that he can do anything you or I do with a telephone. Why shouldn't he have one? Sure, it's $10-$30, (maybe more, but I'm thinking this is a pre- paid, no- contract phone) a month, which may be hard for a homeless guy to get hold of, but it's certainly a reasonable expense.

You know how I know you've never seen a homeless person?

Cop was on a power trip.
/can't believe I was first .... ur all fired....

eddiesocket: Max Awesome: hogans: Why does a homeless man have a cell phone?

Why shouldn't he have a cell phone? He's still a human being, not a mindless zombie.

Wow. Really?


Yes, really.

There's no shortage of entitled moochers here who think nothing of living in mom's basement and are perfectly content in letting someone else pay all the bills for them. It sucks having to grow up and learn the world isn't the unicorn frolicking candy land they wish it was. If you don't have to grow up why would would you? They would have to look up the definitions of "integrity" and "responsibility."

The guy you replied to is most likely running on someone else's unsecured Wi-Fi.

TheWizard: eddiesocket: SpaceButler: hogans: Why does a homeless man have a cell phone?

Because they don't cost nearly as much as shelter?

They cost more than a meal. And who the fark is he calling?

He is homeless. Where does that imply that he cannot afford food? The only thing being homeless implies is a lack of a permanent physical address.

You can be homeless and have a job. Perhaps he wants to be available in case his employer, or a prospective employer tries to reach him?

What's smarter to put on a job application, a cell phone number, or the number of a homeless shelter with instructions on how to leave a message that will reach you?

Just curious, where do you live? Pleasantville? Homeless people tend to not have jobs, like...ever. They also have difficulty affording meals. A cell phone would be an absurd luxury expense. The person had two cells phones at any rate, not just one. It was obviously a drug thing, and that's why the cop arrested him on a trumped up charge.

hogans: Why does a homeless man have a cell phone?

Link (new window)
surprised no one streamed ObamaPhone in this thread

Nocens: eddiesocket: Max Awesome: hogans: Why does a homeless man have a cell phone?

Why shouldn't he have a cell phone? He's still a human being, not a mindless zombie.

Wow. Really?


Yes, really.

There's no shortage of entitled moochers here who think nothing of living in mom's basement and are perfectly content in letting someone else pay all the bills for them. It sucks having to grow up and learn the world isn't the unicorn frolicking candy land they wish it was. If you don't have to grow up why would would you? They would have to look up the definitions of "integrity" and "responsibility."

The guy you replied to is most likely running on someone else's unsecured Wi-Fi.

Um...lol wut?

People who live with their parents aren't generally considered "homeless".

sweet-daddy-2 Quote 2011-06-29 10:52:31 PM
upright_apes_r_us: sweet-daddy-2 2011-06-29 10:20:50 PM
jaylectricity: Sometimes I walk into a Burger King to use their bathroom and enjoy the air conditioning. I leave without buying anything after a few minutes. Did I steal their electricity?

I took a roll of toliet paper. Was I wrong?

Why mix implied consent and a absence of permission as if they were the same conditions?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19176237/ns/us_news-weird_news/t/did-butts-play-ro l e-toilet-paper-theft/

Because it's Fark?

Okay, take the roll and run with it.

Hacking into wifi is a crime. Accessing an unprotected port is not. Why should an unsecured AC outlet be any different?

Hope whoever's outlet that was will learn that "some flowers" are not a good hiding place.

Oh fark me, I was hoping to find a pic of said homeless man Shaun Fawster, instead I find this pic, used on another site to illustrate the crime:



JFC, a Motorola MicroTac? The non-digital US variant? I haven't even seen those since the mid 1990s.

jaylectricity: Sometimes I walk into a Burger King to use their bathroom and enjoy the air conditioning. I leave without buying anything after a few minutes. Did I steal their electricity?

eddiesocket: Just curious, where do you live? Pleasantville? Homeless people tend to not have jobs, like...ever. They also have difficulty affording meals. A cell phone would be an absurd luxury expense. The person had two cells phones at any rate, not just one. It was obviously a drug thing, and that's why the cop arrested him on a trumped up charge.

Trumped up being the key part there.

As for homeless people not having jobs, it's pretty hard to get a job when you're homeless but lots of homeless people try. While a lot of homeless people have mental illness or substance abuse problems a large number are people out on the street because they were living paycheck to paycheck and lost their job. Having a cellphone would certainly be a big way to inexpensively try to get back into the workforce.

eddiesocket: Just curious, where do you live? Pleasantville? Homeless people tend to not have jobs, like...ever.

Yeah, except for the 44% of them that do. (new window)

HoratioGates: eddiesocket: Just curious, where do you live? Pleasantville? Homeless people tend to not have jobs, like...ever. They also have difficulty affording meals. A cell phone would be an absurd luxury expense. The person had two cells phones at any rate, not just one. It was obviously a drug thing, and that's why the cop arrested him on a trumped up charge.

Trumped up being the key part there.

As for homeless people not having jobs, it's pretty hard to get a job when you're homeless but lots of homeless people try. While a lot of homeless people have mental illness or substance abuse problems a large number are people out on the street because they were living paycheck to paycheck and lost their job. Having a cellphone would certainly be a big way to inexpensively try to get back into the workforce.

People who are homeless because of a temporary work stoppage have all kinds of services available to help them get on their feet. Shelters, welfare, unemployment, etc. Very few people are homeless for long who don't chose to be. (Except of course, for the mentally ill, who should be hospitalized, if our country had any decency at all).

Sudo_Make_Me_A_Sandwich: eddiesocket: Just curious, where do you live? Pleasantville? Homeless people tend to not have jobs, like...ever.

Yeah, except for the 44% of them that do. (new window)

yeah. They need to show their work on that. I'm not buying it.

Britney Spear's Speculum: If the blade is a certain length then that can be a problem, supposedly. I know that's how california rolls.

That's actually not the case in California - a folding knife with any blade length may be carried concealed. The same is not true of a fixed-blade knife, if I remember correctly.

eddiesocket: Just curious, where do you live? Pleasantville? Homeless people tend to not have jobs, like...ever. They also have difficulty affording meals. A cell phone would be an absurd luxury expense.

fark off, I volunteered at a local homeless shelter for half a year, and while many of them ARE unfit for society and some always has been, there were also those amongst them who did have a stroke of bad luck, like say, a freaking ex-manager of mine. We all got laid off from the place we worked at, me sooner than him when one project (customer service for Verizon Wireless) was terminated, and he, when the entire place got shut down a year later. The people living there were also given the option to actually work there (kitchen, janitorial, donations etc) or take on outside jobs. The more they worked, the better their accommodations (you could gradually graduate from 80 bed hall to 2 bed dorm). So they weren't just given help with their basic needs, i.e. food, shelter, medical assistance, but also the chance to get their shiat back together, paperwork, transcripts, jobs, contact to family.
Anyway, after a certain time, and good behavior, they were allowed cellphones which they did in fact use to score jobs.

Enigmamf: Britney Spear's Speculum: If the blade is a certain length then that can be a problem, supposedly. I know that's how california rolls.

That's actually not the case in California - a folding knife with any blade length may be carried concealed. The same is not true of a fixed-blade knife, if I remember correctly.

I did not know that. Very interesting.

Kar98: eddiesocket: Just curious, where do you live? Pleasantville? Homeless people tend to not have jobs, like...ever. They also have difficulty affording meals. A cell phone would be an absurd luxury expense.

fark off, I volunteered at a local homeless shelter for half a year, and while many of them ARE unfit for society and some always has been, there were also those amongst them who did have a stroke of bad luck, like say, a freaking ex-manager of mine. We all got laid off from the place we worked at, me sooner than him when one project (customer service for Verizon Wireless) was terminated, and he, when the entire place got shut down a year later. The people living there were also given the option to actually work there (kitchen, janitorial, donations etc) or take on outside jobs. The more they worked, the better their accommodations (you could gradually graduate from 80 bed hall to 2 bed dorm). So they weren't just given help with their basic needs, i.e. food, shelter, medical assistance, but also the chance to get their shiat back together, paperwork, transcripts, jobs, contact to family.
Anyway, after a certain time, and good behavior, they were allowed cellphones which they did in fact use to score jobs.

So they weren't really homeless, were they? Not in the same sense as the guy in the article. They had a run of bad luck, worked hard, and got back on their feet. I think what you did and what they accomplished is quite admirable, not sure where you got the need to say "fark off".

HoratioGates: eddiesocket: Just curious, where do you live? Pleasantville? Homeless people tend to not have jobs, like...ever. They also have difficulty affording meals. A cell phone would be an absurd luxury expense. The person had two cells phones at any rate, not just one. It was obviously a drug thing, and that's why the cop arrested him on a trumped up charge.

Trumped up being the key part there.

As for homeless people not having jobs, it's pretty hard to get a job when you're homeless but lots of homeless people try. While a lot of homeless people have mental illness or substance abuse problems a large number are people out on the street because they were living paycheck to paycheck and lost their job. Having a cellphone would certainly be a big way to inexpensively try to get back into the workforce.

Yep, knew a woman with two kids who was working three jobs to make ends meat. She lost one of them and couldn't pay the mortgage so they were living in a no tell motel. Then the stress caused her to get sick and she lost another one after being out two days so they were living in her car. She eventually got some assistance and despiraled and was working full time as an HR person last time I talked to a mutual friend. She wasn't mentally ill or a substance abuser, just a woman from a poor family who picked the wrong guy to have kids with and then had the sense to leave him (he was an abuser of both her and drugs).

Eddiesocket, could you speak up please? It's hard hearing you from your mom's basement.