My point in that was that I
was at fault, but that I was only one of two parties involved. I'm not argueing I'm not at fault. If I had my helmet locked in a safe inside my workplace and it got stolen, then I might have an excuse, but obviously leaving it on the bike (even locked) its a different story.
As that little peice of pondering states, alot of people get in an accident and are angry because they where not at fault, but they also didn't give enough room to avoid the accident or take precautions. In this way I'm still responsible.
One of my jobs is at a cinema in a mall, I park on the roof early bird parking and chain my bike to the fire escape stairs, which are a giant metal contraption from the exit down into the carpark. I also disc lock the bike.
The issue I had is that people have been stealing bags in the locker rooms that where not secured inside a locker, and people have also been damaging the staff room, and in some cases using peoples belongings (unsecured bags) to make as big a mess as possible.
The management has also been very slow in dealing with the problem, or reacting at all in a satisfactory manner.
Obviously once a helmet has been dropped from waist height alot of damage has been done, and sadly because the staff room doesn't get used much, and the cinema employs alot of 14-15 year old idiots it could easily come to harm or disappear. (Several people have been fired recently for various reasons, and they still haven't changed the security keycodes for the staff room/lockers!)
I had two choices, leave it locked on the bike, or unsecured in a locker room, with no security cameras and a history of theft and damage to peoples belongings.
You make it sound totally clear cut when it wasn't. Most workplaces I have been in are relatively small groups of people, who know each other and show respect, sadly in this case its different.
Once I registered the loss with the police, security at the mall, and the management where I work, and let them know the value they took my helmet issue a bit more seriously and have let me know I can leave it in the office from now on, where it will be locked away and a management team member is always in there. I probably should have convinced them when I first went for the job, rather than after this incident happened now, in hindsight.
Like I tried to say, I know I'm still at fault for leaving it on the bike, but I had hoped it being parked in reasonably busy area where alot of people take breaks and smoko's would discourage anyone from touching it or the bike incase someone caught them in the act. At least more than just leaving it in the locker room without being secured to anything.
For the same reason I never leave my wallet, phone, or keys in my bags, all of which are forbidden to be carried at work. I have them on me all the time, unfortunately the helmet is a bit more obvious

I know what you mean about the passport though from traveling overseas, its definately one of the most important things to remember! Sadly the helmet is a little bit bulkier.
I guess all these reasons are just excuses really, but I definately learnt a lesson.
And that definately sucks Bazza! I'll be keeping that in mind too!