[Artemisia] What thieves look for, be a hard target

[Fyrdman]

Joe Gawron wrote:

>   Well met!
>
>   Having way too much experience with this, I have to say both Tangl and
>Cynric have valid points.  Being a hard target will stop many thieves, but
>once a thief is determined, little if anything will stop them, or reduce
>they will take.
>
>   My source?  Someone very close to me who finally got careless and spent
>11 years inside, then wrote a book about protecting oneself, and asked me to
>edit it. I learned a great deal.  It was never published, unfortunately.
>
>   And, Cynric, I'm afraid your last statement about Tangl associating with
>known felons being something to let the Kindgom Sheriff know about came
>across to me, at least, as extremely unbecoming.  I hope it was meant as a
>joke.
>
>   brendan
>
>  
>
Brendan,

Of course it was a joke.  I doubt very much that the esteemed Tangl is 
on probation / parole, wanted, etc.  Even if she was, which she isn't, I 
am not a parole officer, nor would I be hers.  I really do not care what 
one does (leagally) or with whom one chooses to do what they choose to 
do if they choose to do...you get the idea.  Even so, my well 
intentioned friend, what pretell would our Sheriff do, if he even cared, 
about our fair Tangl befriending and associating a felon? Yes, Sir, I 
was joking. 

Mistress Tanglwist if you were offended or if someone is offended on her 
behalf, I apologize that the joke was not well received or seemed 
"unbecoming".
I know you do not know me and, absent the smiley face, it is impossible 
to glean the tone or manner in which something is "said" in an e-mail.  
It was a joke.

Now, Brendan, I must take issue with you (or rather your choice of 
words).  Your very near and dear friend, I'm sure (s)he is a nice person 
and you care very much for that  person, but someone does not spend 11 
years for being "careless."  Carelessness and neglegence or recklessness 
are not the same.  If it is burglary you speak of, they entered 
someone's residence (possibly a business) and helped themselves to the 
property someone worked hard to buy or make, etc.  He *decided* to help 
himself to something that was not his.  Careless is what gets your D and 
D thief caught (bad die rolls help, too) with his hand in the evil 
Baron's coffers.  Someone's residence, Brendan.  Possibly one of the 
only places people feel safe.  Thier home.

To say he finally got careless indicates also that your friend plied his 
trade regularly or at least more than once.  Please, Brandon, realize 
that I am not saying your friend is bad or that you are bad for being 
their frined, only that blaming carelessness for being caught and 
convicted of a felony instead of ones choices is ridiculous.  "I would 
have gotten away with it if I hadn't gotten careless!"  How about 
deciding not to do it in the first place.  Carelessness is a huge 
contributing factor in the apprehension of criminals.  Deciding not to 
commit a felony is a contributing factor in not doing time.

I know, I went off on a tangent and it appears I may have attacked 
Brendan, who said I made some good points.  I have not attacked Brendan 
for I do not know him, nor do I have any animosity for him.  I'm sure I 
would love chatting with him around a nice fire hoisting cups of mead.  
And I would love to read the manuscript his friend wrote.  It would be 
very interesting.  Please, Sir.  I hope I have not offended you as well.

Cynric