A theft is a theft?

That's not the point. The point is that someone could be charged with theft if the electricity is being paid for by someone else and there's no sign saying you can use it.

 

"Provide" is the key word.

 

A phone is not an automobile. Keep working on your Strawman.

But, hey, it's a "green" car that allegedly is good for the environment so I guess it's up to the rest of us to let you charge it anywhere you fucking please.

 

As a matter of its legality, if you're in a public place then a power outlet in that public place would be presumed to be available for public use unless there is actual or constructive notice that it is not for public use. Otherwise, a reasonable person would infer that the outlet is there for public use. If a public official with authority to do so gives you notice that the outlet is not for public use then you're on notice and subject to whatever penalties are on the books.

 

And there it is.

 

Mizzou asked if we'd ever think twice about charging at an airport. SportsPredictor said people get testy about charging at a the library.

Look ... Sarah Palin!

 

Yes. Exactly. There it is.

People who own green cars believe they're entitled to free fuel whenever they damn well please. YF was correct in asking that question earlier.

 

You are (likely) an airport customer . . . or a restaurant customer . . . or library customer (paid with your tax dollars). Note the key word here.

I think you would be very wrong to come into a restaurant, sit down, not order anything, and spend 30 minutes charging your laptop.

Perhaps not criminally wrong, but the establishment would have every right to ask you to leave. And if you had been warned about this and did it again, well . . .

This "public place" nonsense just doesn't fly. Whether you are a customer in said public place is much more relevant.

 

I know.

I was answering a specific question.

 

We remodeled our library this year and put in a lot more electrical outlets to plug things in. Kindles, phones, laptops, that's the way the world is now. We provide wireless throughout the library and now plenty of places to sit down and plug in. Every once in awhile (not so much anymore) someone will plug their computer in and drape the cord across the walkway and we'd have to ask them not to do that. Sometimes they would get testy. Some of my coworkers' attitudes comes as a reaction to this type of thing. There's still some of the, "I can't believe so and so would just come in here to use our electricity to charge his phone." Fortunately they are in the minority. But that attitude's still there.

 

A reasonable person would infer this is for public use?

 

Plus, the guy used a McDonald's restroom without buying anything earlier that day.