CRIME CLIMB The nature of crime in America seems to be that it is seeking constantly to find an even broader scope in which to operate. It does not seem to shown to so much physical or bodily growth but rather a searching for more aspects of our daily activities in which it might operate to its advantage.
That is one of the common objections when a state begins a lottery project. We saw that sentiment expressed again and again this past week when the State of North Carolina started a lottery venture. Many people see any relaxation of rules concerning gambling in any form an open invitation fro criminals to exert their special talents for stealth, mis-judgments, faulty assertions, downright lies and certain elusive bits of charm as well. Their view has been correct on many occasions in the past so it cannot be ignored. Rather it might best be respected by all by taking seriously ways and means of preventing such mis-use of such facilities.
What about other threats to our well-being?
We are aware of the potential danger of flood waters. So we study rivers, ponds,lakes, rainfall, levees, pumps' take all sorts of precautions to help make suffer we don't suffer unneeded flood damage. We do the same as we study weather conditions of our area, state, nation and of the entire world. We even take occasional glances as the solar system to make sure we know what actions we might use to thwart ruin.
Until we can, as fair minded citizens exert the same sort of dedicated efforts to our gaming instincts - all the way through our bingo games, chance drawings, contests, cake walks, sweepstakes, and other such "non-gambling" forms of gambling we are going too stay pretty much as we are.
If we can do that and learn to control crime, think what the next steps might be for Mankind. We might be able to take on the nation's really serious crimes - static or growing.
A.L.M. April 7, 2006 [c346wds]
