The question put to us was this: How many gym members have to lose possessions to theft before something is done? This concerns repeated lifting of personal items at L.A. Fitness on Michigan Road. Many are wondering what the gym and police are going to do for L.A. Fitness’ patrons? The answer, we hope: Nothing. Anyone that frequents a “big-box” fitness facility should know well enough to (a) lock his or her vehicle and (b) bring a padlock for the locker the gym provides each member. Not to insult anyone’s intelligence here, but it’s really that simple; if you don’t want to be a theft victim, lock up your possessions. This is about common sense, people. No one is going to change the behavior of certain miscreants, but protection against them is activated easily enough. Or, exercise enthusiasts could continue to tempt fate by leaving in plain view items of value in unlocked lockers or vehicles.
* * *
You might recall from previous tomes that we place a premium on research, and so it was with great interest that we read last week’s Wall Street Journal/NBC poll results. They pointed out that the overall electoral milieu for Democrats is worse than it was in 2010, when the Republicans had their best midterm performance since Harry S. Truman was president. President Barack Obama’s job-approval rating is at an all-time low of 41 percent. While Western Europe is at risk, among other crisis issues, Obama was playing golf. Of course he was. One other point: The poll respondents were divided on Obamacare, with 49 percent saying (as we have) that it’s a bad idea, and 39 percent saying it was a good idea. The bottom line here: The Republicans will find a way to screw up the advantage. Bank on it.