Letters to the Editor
ololon
Published Letters: 77 Editor's Choice: 14
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Cary is right.
[Read the article: My ex-con neighbor owes me money]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The whole "spirit of brotherhood" thing is a load of idealistic claptrap, but it does a fairly good job of delivering a soundly practical piece of advice. The LW should ask, and abide by, whatever the neighbor thinks is fair, without accosting the man in his home.
So far, many commenters have noted the neighbor's violence and criminal past, but I have no evidence of this. He may be an ex-con, but so is Paris Hilton. Hell, I'm not a con and I'd be pretty damned violent if someone repeatedly came to my door, unannounced, while I was at home with my child, to demand payment I thought unfair. If this someone was a young, inexperienced back door mechanic (sorry, automotive repair technician) trying to ream me for $800 by claiming it'd be more than $1300 anywhere else, I'd be even less inclined towards paying in full. I'm pretty sure there are laws against this kind of harassment, even for valid debts. Collectors aren't even allowed to call you repeatedly, let alone come to your door.
I think it's highly possible the mechanic (jeez, sorry again, automotive repair technician) overcharged the neighbor because he obviously feels as if the shaving-cream incident (which is how I read minor, unreported vandalism to big ticket items) was not properly addressed. Maybe LW fixed things that were not relevant to the breakdown. Maybe he overdid the diagnostics. Maybe he charged an exorbitant towing fee, or storage fees. Whatever. Doesn't sound like the neighbor knew what the bill was ahead of time, and -- given that the mechanic (oh christ, automotive repair technician) has only a fledgling business -- five days in a garage while things "add up" just sounds a little too fishy for me.
Regardless -- Cary is right. The mechanic (oh... whatever) needs to cut his losses, make nice for the good of his business, because he isn't an established repair shop, can't charge what they charge, shouldn't even use such fees as comparison, and needs the word of mouth to get his business off the ground. As it is, we've no idea how much of the debt is left -- I think $200 is a sizeable sum, but if that's what's left over, that means 3/4 of the debt was paid. Seriously, how much is under-the-table, no guarantees car repair by an unknown, untried, unestablished mechanic worth?
LW, extend a peace pipe for the sake of your business, because if you don't get more work you'll be stuck in your shabby oceanfront bungalow with garage forever... and I'd like to move in!
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One more thing...
[Read the article: My ex-con neighbor owes me money]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]It is unbelievable how many supposedly intelligent people (which perhaps I mistakenly assume Salon readers are), jump on the idea of a convict and start shouting, "Run from the dangerous animal!"
There's someone who assumes the neighbor is an alcoholic, let alone the person who assumes the con is a felon, or the one who assumes he's on parole, or the other who assumes he's doing a crap job as a single father. This neighbor is not necessarily a drunk, or on parole, or a violent repeat offender merely because he may have been in prison! Drunken arguments with a girlfriend -- on the PHONE -- do not make someone violent! And while I may want to kill my neighbor's dog (he howls ALL THE TIME), and while I may say I'd gladly do it, I DON'T... and neither has this neighbor!!
And the fool with a master's in counseling -- are you mad? How could you be so unbelievably irresponsible with your professional expertise? Put your name to that post if you dare. Please.
You should all be ashamed of yourselves. And everyone who accuses Salon readers of being liberals should read these comments and know the truth.
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Hey anonymous!
[Read the article: My ex-con neighbor owes me money]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I stand by what I've written.
You, however, need to reread precisely what you've quoted and show me where this indicates an excessively violent potential. Sure, if the LW has never bothered the neighbor, and if that was the one and only time he's gone over to ask for payment, and if he wasn't particularly aggressive himself when asking, then this reaction was certainly excessive.
We don't know this, though. LW didn't get punched, did he? The whole thing culminated in a threat -- a threat, not a punch, not a push, not even bad breath. Just a threat, and one that may well have been provoked.
Don't jump on one comment and make assumptions. Read!
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Wasn't there a rape?
[Read the article: Judge: 10-year-old "probably agreed" to sex]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Is it that this child rape isn't important, or is it simply easier to pick an unsubstantiated fight with AKASmith than truly contemplate the crime?
On that note, this crime stuns me speechless. I just don't even know how to process it. That poor, poor girl.