I think the reason that so many people came down on Gil is because he said that he was considering stealing. It shows a totally lazy mind set and lack of imagination to think something like that. He deserved the comments he got. Tough love is necessary in this case to help him get his head out of his butt.
I care about Gil and would like to see him succeed. But stealing? C'mon. Suck it up and get busy, Gil.
Robyn