Mr Enlightened Centrist was my father's name. Just call me Enlightened.
Your post would have been a great response if Hilts had said anything negative about people stealing food - instead of him being concerned for shop owners dealing with shoplifters who could have full impunity.
They aren't mutually exclusive.
You overreacted and misunderstood his post, whether that was intentional or unintentional is to be confirmed.
Out of interest, would you condone the shoplifting of non-food items if people were selling them to buy food?