Srgnt Billko wrote:
"mow" wrote in message
...

Srgnt Billko wrote:

California - they are trying to pin 6 years on the guy who's
mower started a fire that got out of hand. The crime, as I see
it, is that the authorities are even thinking about placing a
serious charge on this poor sob.

God forbid they should make anyone take responsibility for their actions.

He is being charged for allegedly disregarding the risk of wildfire
as he mowed dry grass when temperatures neared 40 C. The fire
destroyed 86 homes.

Just exactly at what point does that "risk" begin " Is 40* the
magic mark ? - or at 38* would it still be a crime also ? How
about 36* ? Let me check my latest mower owners manual to see if
there is a warning in there.. Are people not allowed to start their
autos with leaves on the ground also ?

I dunno. Maybe the magic mark is when your actions destroy 86 homes.
Maybe then you kinda wish you'd been a little more careful, no matter
what the temperature.

I think it's likely he'll be convicted, because in California, fires are
serious business. I don't think he's going to get 6 years -- maybe if
someone were killed, but not just for property damage and for an
otherwise law-abiding person. Jail time will be suspended, likely a
hefty fine.

Johnny Law is interested, here, in making an impression on other folks.
Yes, an example. Anyway, often when they come down swift and hard,
they're actually expecting the other person to come downtown for a deal,
rather than the lengthy expense and ordeal of a jury trial. The case may
depend somewhat on what specific statewide and local fire warnings were
in place.

Yeah, he was just dumb. Yeah, it could have been you or me, maybe.

But think of the 86 families with no homes. The criminal case is nothing
next to the civil suits.