The Saudi Kings Had A Tough Policy. They Cut Off The Hands Of Such Thieves.”

Criminologists will tell you we are lucky that only 1.2% of our fellow South Carolinians are convicted felons.

Compare that to Florida with more than 10% felons – the highest in the nation, The next highest are Kentucky and Mississippi with more than 9% .

No wonder law-abiding people in those states carry guns.

Think about this the next time you head for Disney World.

Criminologists will tell you that poverty, parental neglect, low self-esteem, alcohol and drug abuse are all reasons why some of us commit crimes.

Then there are the shysters who can’t blame these causes for their own crimes.

Greed, selfishness and lack of concern for the welfare of others motivates them. The internet has opened a wide door for these thieves to enter your life and appeal to your generosity and concern for others.

As our News Editor Rose Cisneros reported last week, internet bandits are hiding behind such disguises as “Help Our Vets” to pick your pocket.

The veterans you think you are helping get nothing.

In donating, Attorney General Alan Wilson advises:

• Ask for the charity’s name, website, and physical location;

• Ask how much of any donation will go to the charitable program you want to support;

• Check the SC Secretary of State site at www.scsos.com ;

• Search the charity’s name online with the word “scam” or “complaint.” See what other people say about it;

• Check ratings at the Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Watch, or Charity Navigator;

• Pay only by credit card, the safest for security.

The Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance has checked and approved the Disabled Veterans Organization in Columbia and Veterans of Foreign Wars in Lexington.

For a list of 25 vetted charities, visit www.give.org

Saudi kings had a tough policy for dealing with thieves like these. They cut off their hands.

Maybe we shouldn’t be so humane to these thieves.

– www.JerryBellune.net

The Saudi kings had a tough policy. They cut off the hands of such thieves.