Aaron Klemz wrote: > Starting a fire accidently is not illegal. To be > prosecuted for arson requires that you start the fire > intentionally. Here's the statute for fifth degree > arson - the word "intentionally" appears in all of the > different arson statutes. > > "609.5632 Arson in the fifth degree. > Whoever intentionally by means of fire or explosives > sets fire to or burns or causes to be burned any real > or personal property of value is guilty of a > misdemeanor ..."
Although I'm not an attorney, I'd expect that in some cases negligent homicide charges could be prosecuted. > Many people burn down homes through recreational > activities. Are we going to prosecute people who > accidently burn down their home using a turkey fryer? > > http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04041.html > > And don't we all know that turkey fryers cause fires? The difference between turkey fryers and cigarettes is that most of us are aware that cigarettes and other smoking materials cause burns and fires: "According to the National Fire Protection Association, approximately 250,000 house fires per year are caused by careless disposal of cigarettes or other smoking materials. Nearly 2,000 people tragically and needlessly lose their lives in these fires. http://phoenix.gov/FIRE/smokers.html "Cigarette smoking is the single most likely cause of fatal house fires..." www.kidcheck.org/er/er3.html And if you didn't know, you do now. I don't think that it's acceptable to say, "I'm sorry" when the "accident" involves death of an innocent person (if only the smoker dies that's an other story: they were taking an "acceptable" risk to pursue their addiction). There is a certain lack of accountability in our society, all the way from Enron to tailgating. How many fools are there in Minneapolis that don't realize that riding someone's bumper in a snow storm can result in serious injury? Michael Atherton Prospect Park REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
