Vigilantism

[Jabberwok]

The other day, i was ringing up a coustomer at work. the coustomer started complaining to someone on a cell about gang related violence and narcotics trafficing being a problem in americas urban areas an a blight on good decent working people just trying to make it, and how the cops dont do their jobs to protect them. he posed the question to me," why the fuck do people put up with it, why dont they just go and do something about it themselvs". i said to him," well, feel free to pick yourself up a pistol and some body armor and go do something about it". he just looked at me and had this shocked look on his face like i just punched a nun or something. he said " i dont live in it ,why the hell would i get involved". i just couldnt believe his first statement, and then his reaction to what i said.

me personally, the thought of someone actually doing something like that was, well... kinda entertaining. i wouldnt realy know what to say. one day reading the paper and seein someting like" random violence against gang members by citizens in community" would probably make me chuckle a bit. not to offend any OG's in here but, yeah. i think i would have a good ol laugh.

anyone else have any thoughts on this?

[Troy Spiral (13)]

That does seem like an odd series of reactions there. First he complains that the "cops aren't doing their jobs", so then you suggest "well get off your ass and do something about it rather than complain" and he responds with "its not my problem why would i get involved". What was he bitching about if he doesn't care? I guess it could be interpreted just as a complaint that "someone isn't doing their job" not that he actually cared about the crime or its effects.

In terms of the more general point of vigilantism: really that's long been sorted out as a solution that causes more problems than it solves. Political/Social activism is probably the correct response in all but the most dire of specific life threatening situations.

[Kit Kat P]

I agree w/ Troy and feel that it was very well said

[Homicidalheathen]

The movie 'falling down' comes to mind.

[Marco Mchugh]

I think vigilantiism is great! I would do it myself but the problem is that it's against the law. If you go into a house full of known gang bangers and you kill them all, you might be doing the neighborhood some good but you'll spend the rest of your life in prison for homocide.

[GothicRavenGoddess (3)]

The movie "The Boondock Saints" comes to mind.

I love that 'effing movie...

heh

[Jabberwok]

well i myself havent gone into a house full of known bangers and shotup the place, but i have been out on the street when they go to town on someone and no one does anything about it. now would the "stand arounds" be concidered accomplices to a crime, or just morally apathetic. on a personal note on the incident just stated, didnt have a clue if they were bangers or not, but i did get involved, and promtly got my ass stomped. but what the hell, no guts no glory.

besides, who says you have to kill anyone, just stand up and do something. anything. say something call someone or if you realy need to get involved directly, do so. just dont let them keep rulling by fear and shit like that.

[Troy Spiral (13)]

The guy that lives next door to me has a bumper sticker that says "Known Fact: Theres Never Been a Purse Snatching at a Gun Show."

[Steven]

besides, who says you have to kill anyone, just stand up and do something. anything. say something call someone or if you realy need to get involved directly, do so. just dont let them keep rulling by fear and shit like that.

fear is a commidity with equal exchange value.

[Homicidalheathen]

Its 'homicide'. sorry I couldn't let that mispelling go unchecked lol

I think vigilantiism is great! I would do it myself but the problem is that it's against the law. If you go into a house full of known gang bangers and you kill them all, you might be doing the neighborhood some good but you'll spend the rest of your life in prison for homocide.