Criminal Stupidity

I've been grouchy lately, and I've been wondering if there shouldn’t be a law against criminal stupidity. It seems that sometimes a person is victimized by the stupidity of another, and the stupid one escapes consequences.

A few cases in point; Jennifer Burkey and those fools who left her lying in the snow because they thought she’d get up and walk back to the car. Maybe they’ll be charged with a crime, but not being a prosecutor I can’t think of what the charge would be.

Another; the 12 kid whose idiot 26 year old brother was sparking a lighter while pumping gas. The kid is now burned and his life is irrevocably changed, but the brother escaped harm. What kind of a dummy flicks a lighter while pumping gas? One who ought not to be allowed to drive, I guess, since he’s too stupid to pump gas. It sounds like idiot older brother actually squirted his little brother with gas, though few facts have come out.

Likewise those people who leave little kids or animals locked in cars in the summer sun. Child endangerment laws apply in those situations, but it’s still criminal stupidity.

Civil liability may or may not apply, but even if it does the bad actor will probably escape consequences. The flame thrower guy could be held negligent if his brother wanted to sue him, but doubtful he’s got much to lose. The kid might get some money from the gas station if no signs are posted, but again, that’s no skin off big brother.

I usually tend toward libertarianism. For example, I think DUI should not be illegal, unless some accident or injury is involved. When a person drives home drunk but causes no problem, there is no victim; why should that be illegal? If a person causes or is involved in an accident or injury, that should be punished severely enough to be a deterrence, but I don’t think punishing a victimless act severely for deterrence is appropriate.

Anyway, some acts are just so unforgivably stupid, and the consequences to the victim so enormous, that the bad actor also ought to bear a consequence. I suppose outlawing stupidity wouldn’t work; think how many more people would be in prison. But still, I’m just saying …