What Dave is talking about is referred to as a "value stretch". It happens a lot to people in desparate situations. I wouldn't be too quick to judge people in those situations, lest I find myself in one similar. What Dave suggests has merit. People must get better information in times of bad choices. It would also be nice if we as a society were more willing to extend a friendly hand to people in such situations rather than (*)(*)(*)(*)ing them regardless of their decision once the initial mistake is made.

__________________
"Man lives in the sunlit world of that which he believes to be reality. But unseen by most is an underworld, a place that is just as real... but not as brightly lit... A DARK SIDE!"
-opening from Tales From the Darkside