I feel that crimes like this (and worse) will continue due to the condition of this false economy, job loss, inflation, drugs, etc.

 Above all, these clowns feel that they can get away with it or with maybe just a slap on the wrist.

These are bad times for sure, but it's not hopeless. What we need to do is fight to take our country back from the ones who choose to destroy it.

I agree.  People are getting desperate.  However, I don't think it's an excuse for committing a crime, especially an assault on another person.  If I drink, I get sleepy or silly (I usually want to dance) not violent.  People always say that alcohol & drugs will make you do things you would never do if you were straight & sober.  I guess that's true, but it's also an excuse for bad behavior.  I hope she gets the help she needs, since she might truly be a troubled soul, but in the end getting her life together depends on her willingness to heal.

You're right justxploring, there ARE no excuses. People today have no fear of consequences.  But after the verdict is handed down I really believe that there is plenty of regret. We have to find a way to reach this lost generation (and the next).

Lives wasted, time wasted. We have to do better. It begins at home.  We either need better role models or bring back the late great Charles Bronson for a little vigilante justice.

BTW, dancing under the influence..........now THAT's a crime!!      (justkidding) 

"Still wearing her uniform and name tag, Kotoff played the lottery machines and secretly drank from a bottle of whiskey she had smuggled inside. After hours of losing, she ran out of tip money, said Jeff Lesowski, senior deputy district attorney."

"Police responded but couldn't find Kotoff until a 9-1-1 call came in that a drunken woman was breaking into cars on Southwest North Dakota Street. A police dog found her hiding in some bushes in Summerlake Park."

Lost generation, false economy, desperation, c'mon people she's 33 (gen ? born in 74') and had a wicked buzz on. You don't get four years for this if you don't have priors.

She played for HOURS losing her tip money!  Personal choices = taking personal resposibilty.

You have to understand people have to stop blaming others for their own problems. This was not a child, she is an adult.  The lost generation of the seventies, eighties, nineties, 00's? I know plenty of 30 somethings doing just fine.

It doesn't matter what her age happens to be. I stand by my statement.  Did you notice that I said that there are NO excuses?But there ARE factors that contribute.

When I referred to lost generations, I was not only referring to this particular story.  As I stated before, these kinds of crimes are increasing and that includes ALL ages. Old folks as well as the young.

I also know plenty of successful people - but that is not the point.

Actually, FBI statistics show that overall crime has been decreasing most notably violent crimes such as murder and rape.  And as far as these being bad times, things could be alot worse.  A lot worse.

We're not talking about murder and rape in this case. This is more like the DUMB ROBBER REPORT.

If you get your news from the FBI, you'll be in trouble.  These stats change every other week.  I don't need any one to tell me what I see with my own eyes.  The government lies on a regular basis - according to their chosen agenda.

Yes things COULD be a lot worse.  And from all indications they WILL get worse before it gets better.  That's a favorite saying ["things could be a lot worse"] Think back a year ago. Now notice where we are now..............A LOT WORSE!

I rest my case.

Fortunately, we aren't talking about murder and rape.  This whole thing could have turned out very differently had this woman gotten behind the wheel of a car and killed people and or herself, that my friend would have been a lot worse.  It would have gone from dumb drunk robber to murderer. 

As far as things being better or worse a year ago, or a year from now, that is all a matter of opinion and is one's perception .  My opinion and perception of the future is optimistic,  doom and gloom is not a mind set I dwell in, it is counterproductive. 

We could waste a lot of time speculating on what COULD have happened........go ahead.  I choose not to.  I'll focus on the facts.

I respect the fact that you ARE optimistic. So am I. I'm also realistic. I'm not all doom and gloom.  And as far as being counterproductive is concerned, most of the things that our government does is counterproductive. Would you agree?

If we used more common sense in our everyday dealings this would be a much better world.