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Saving Hawaii

(441 posts)
151. Common sense for most.
Thu Apr 26, 2012, 03:14 AM
Apr 2012

I know a lot of people with a lot of common sense.

A friend of mine is an ex-Green Beret who was dishonorably discharged and spent a couple years in jail for a crime he committed on LOA. I don't want to dive into details, but... did he commit a crime? Yes. Was his action appropriate? No. Would I have done the same thing? Maybe. Was his action understandable? Very much so.

A lot of very ugly crimes are crimes of passion. They are not things we would do as rational human beings. But we are very rarely rational human beings, even you and I. Any psychologist could tell you that. Under stress people behave in irrational ways. We are biologically programmed to do that. My friend was trained to all ends as a Green Beret to function under stress but even he snapped under enough pressure. It's human. That doesn't mean it's right but that doesn't mean it's not understandable either.

At odds with your father BTW, given the situation we're discussing here my preferred plan of action would be to escort my children's basketball games. That certainly changes the dynamics of the situation. If Owens pulls a knife on me and my kid while I am standing there, it is no longer a deliberate act of assault to bloody Owens up. It's simply self-defense. And I learned self-defense from some of the very best. I'm sure most martial artists could drop me without trouble but I doubt many others could.

That would be my preferred response anyways. But you know under pressure as a human being I can't tell you how I'd respond to what happened that day. I can tell you what I would want to do, being a clever and rational thinker. But nobody is a clever and rational thinker in that sort of circumstance. Dumb decisions are made. Crimes of passion occur. It doesn't mean that they are not crimes, but I am saying that they are and should be understandable to all of us.

The original report said that Owens had 'fussed' at the kids. Yeah, right, coalition_unwilling Apr 2012 #1
me too Enrique Apr 2012 #62
Fussed at Catherine Vincent Apr 2012 #139
Two kitchen knives and Racial slurs....You don't go and threaten people that way. vaberella Apr 2012 #2
It depends on the jurisdiction in this state obamanut2012 Apr 2012 #24
Color Me Un-Surprised, Sir The Magistrate Apr 2012 #3
Charge the mob and charge Owens exboyfil Apr 2012 #4
I think calling it a "mob" is framing this badly obamanut2012 Apr 2012 #25
It is the definition of a mob. You can call it a gang if you like though. nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #32
Neither a gang nor a mob, but this response is expected from you obamanut2012 Apr 2012 #37
What would you call a group that gathers and seeks out a person for a beating? nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #44
It is vigilante justice plain and simple exboyfil Apr 2012 #59
Yes, they were a mob. Beacool Apr 2012 #107
"Mob" and "Gang" Honeycombe8 Apr 2012 #144
Um, there were prosecutions in the Reginald Denny beating. Running coalition_unwilling Apr 2012 #67
"not prosecuting those responsible for the Reginald Denny beating"? KamaAina Apr 2012 #104
I stand corrected exboyfil Apr 2012 #114
Like I said in another thread, its still no excuse for a bunch of people to beat on one guy. Lilyeye Apr 2012 #5
Lilyeye cmlkb Apr 2012 #9
Trust me, I am aware. Its really sad to watch. Lilyeye Apr 2012 #11
could you please give me an example of the left's "imbalance" of news? CatWoman Apr 2012 #12
Caught My Eye As Well, Ma'am The Magistrate Apr 2012 #14
Yes, I would like some too obamanut2012 Apr 2012 #26
Hollywood ieoeja Apr 2012 #63
Oh please. "Hollywood is leftwing". Gary Sinise (star of CSI-New York) is coalition_unwilling Apr 2012 #65
RWNJ's in Hollywood Hermes Daughter Apr 2012 #141
Left-Wing Entertainment (Hollywood) Hermes Daughter Apr 2012 #142
When you think of Rightwing entertainment the first thing that comes to mind is: Ayn Rand. ieoeja Apr 2012 #166
What about News... fascisthunter Apr 2012 #92
"They feel rightwing news is necessary to balance leftwing entertainment." ieoeja Apr 2012 #117
I agree with you.... I know it's how they feel, and frankly I don't care anymore fascisthunter Apr 2012 #135
Good question that I should have asked as well Lilyeye Apr 2012 #116
No excuse (and I was pretty vocal yesterday, but today I understand a little better). Bake Apr 2012 #22
I understand Bake. Pulling a knife out on a kid is terrible. Lilyeye Apr 2012 #124
question cmlkb Apr 2012 #6
posted in an earlier thread: Maine-ah Apr 2012 #10
Thanks for the link cmlkb Apr 2012 #15
I knew I smelled bullshit. Leaving out 1/2 the story makes the story bullshit. lonestarnot Apr 2012 #7
Owens in the wrong cmlkb Apr 2012 #8
3 days max trumad Apr 2012 #16
Yup. UnrepentantLiberal Apr 2012 #17
12 hours obamanut2012 Apr 2012 #27
Over/under? UnrepentantLiberal Apr 2012 #33
Depends on activity level obamanut2012 Apr 2012 #39
And how long they plan to fly just below the radar. UnrepentantLiberal Apr 2012 #42
Ah, so "fussed" in this instance meant "acting like a serial killer". Starry Messenger Apr 2012 #13
Sounds like your average crazy old man who lives down the street. Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #18
Now you are downplaying a 40-year-old who pulled knives on kids??? obamanut2012 Apr 2012 #28
No, you are downplaying the savage beating of an old man. Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #30
Yes, the original story did reek, and Owens isn't an old man obamanut2012 Apr 2012 #36
No, you are shameless. Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #45
Everyone going in their own direction, where they were then safe... NCTraveler Apr 2012 #49
Call the police? Hermes Daughter Apr 2012 #143
Boy, that is a disgusting slippery slope. nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #162
That it is. nt Hermes Daughter Apr 2012 #167
Good to see the former mayor of NYC keeping in shape. nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #19
David Dinkins shooting hoops in Alabama Capt. Obvious Apr 2012 #20
+1 FSogol Apr 2012 #47
He threatened some young people with a weapon, and nobody called the police? slackmaster Apr 2012 #21
Depends. Most Black people don't trust or think cops will side with them. vaberella Apr 2012 #66
You act like all cops are white. They're not. Alabama has many black cops. nt Liquorice Apr 2012 #136
So does New York... BklnDem75 Apr 2012 #138
Did I say that? It's not about all cops being Black or White...it's about All cops being cops. vaberella Apr 2012 #161
It makes the judicial response understandable to an extent obamanut2012 Apr 2012 #23
Don't you mean extra-judicial??? Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #31
The guy is 40, which isn't old. But no, it wasn't OK to beat him up. The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2012 #82
Holy hell fugop Apr 2012 #29
If true, I have no sympathy for the guy. Kaleva Apr 2012 #34
So it doesn't matter that it's an old man who may have mental issues? Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #35
No it dioes not. Sorry but that's the way I feel about this. Kaleva Apr 2012 #38
+1 obamanut2012 Apr 2012 #41
I understand your position, but this guy did not hurt anyone. Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #46
Yes, what happened to him is savage and... Kaleva Apr 2012 #50
I understand. Thanks! nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #52
He is 40-years-old, stop the spin obamanut2012 Apr 2012 #40
I had thought he was much older, but there is NO EXCUSE for gathering a mob for a vigilante Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #43
No one is excusing what was done. EOTE Apr 2012 #48
Saying the response is "understandable" is inexcusable. nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #51
Snake... where do you live..? Bigmack Apr 2012 #55
I grew up in one of the greatest cities in the world and am still close. Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #57
What would the neighborhood do with a murder? exboyfil Apr 2012 #61
Oh so now there is no condemnation of vigilantism? Funny how that works. dkf Apr 2012 #105
or maybe because Trayvon was not in the middle of commiting a crime nor did he do anything Lilyeye Apr 2012 #126
Two things... Bigmack Apr 2012 #134
Latest allegation is Owens confronted the kids about stealing. dkf Apr 2012 #150
What else is new from a right wing rag? BklnDem75 Apr 2012 #164
No. Most here have suggested that vigilantism is unacceptable and punishment is appropriate. Saving Hawaii Apr 2012 #146
And so is pulling a knife on some kids playing basketball. NT EOTE Apr 2012 #76
Absolutely. nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #79
It is understandable obamanut2012 Apr 2012 #80
Heck, it's happened to me personally! We used to play stickball in the field of a Catholic School Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #85
It would have been understandable if your parents were upset you were threatened obamanut2012 Apr 2012 #93
Truthfully, he wasn't coming at us with hammer. Just waving it in the air. Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #94
Snake... Saving Hawaii Apr 2012 #147
So you are not sitting on the fence on this one? Rex Apr 2012 #106
Hasn't been much argument over what happened. Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #110
Yeah everyone should be charged. Rex Apr 2012 #112
Some witnesses say Martin attacked Zimmerman when he turned his back. Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #115
All we really need to know, here on DU Rex Apr 2012 #118
The witness testimony is out there. Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #119
No witnesses state what you claim. Saving Hawaii Apr 2012 #148
Why do you have to lie? shimonitanegi Apr 2012 #159
That's only one possibility BklnDem75 Apr 2012 #165
Nor is there an excuse for brandishing a knife and yelling epithets LanternWaste Apr 2012 #58
Exactly, but one action does not excuse the other or make it understandable. Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #60
Actually in some cases it does. vaberella Apr 2012 #70
Absolutely, if this had happened in the moment then it would have been understandable. Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #72
If it had happened to my kid early afternoon and I was told in the evening...Hell yes I would do it. vaberella Apr 2012 #121
Most human actions are indeed, quite understandable... LanternWaste Apr 2012 #74
Yes, it does make the action understandable obamanut2012 Apr 2012 #81
You seem to give tacit approval with you comments on how it's "understandable." nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #87
No. It does not excuse it, but it does make it understandable. Saving Hawaii Apr 2012 #149
Why do you keep characterizing a 40 year old as an "old man"? Luminous Animal Apr 2012 #54
I've already said I was wrong about that in previous posts. Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #56
And also just a "crazy man who lives on the corner..." LanternWaste Apr 2012 #77
His previous actions make it appear that he suffers from mental illness. Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #78
Wow. Don't let the facts get in your way. Continue. Kingofalldems Apr 2012 #83
Please illuminate me on the facts. nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #86
To Be Fair, Sir, He Is Pretty Shaky On What a Fact Is, Let Alone What Facts Might Be In Any Instance The Magistrate Apr 2012 #140
His previous actions make it appear he suffers from being an angry racist asshole. Comrade Grumpy Apr 2012 #88
So you got a warm feeling inside from this? Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #90
I think his attackers should be prosecuted, but I have no sympathy for this guy. Comrade Grumpy Apr 2012 #95
Wouldn't Karma be of similar severity? nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #97
Why do you put words in posts that aren't there? Kingofalldems Apr 2012 #99
When was it stated he had mental issues? When the fuck did 40 mean old? vaberella Apr 2012 #68
My parents would have done it a little differently... NCTraveler Apr 2012 #53
Amen!! Beacool Apr 2012 #111
Not my parents...My dad would have done something. But my dad was a Ju Jitsu sensei. vaberella Apr 2012 #122
If your dad was a Ju Jitsu sensei.... NCTraveler Apr 2012 #125
Not if he saw the guy weilding two kitchen knives at me and calling me a N. vaberella Apr 2012 #127
I am not talking about a gentle side. NCTraveler Apr 2012 #130
But that is not the situation I was talking about...was it. vaberella Apr 2012 #131
OK. Not sure when you started discussing something other than the story in the op. NCTraveler Apr 2012 #132
Common sense for most. Saving Hawaii Apr 2012 #151
More than reasonable.. NCTraveler Apr 2012 #163
I find it funny that one comment made in the crowd suddenly is being stated as the crowd's motive. chrisa Apr 2012 #64
Sounds more like an excuse to sell newspapers. I doubt the mob met up and decided to avenge Trayvon Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #69
The comment reportedly was made by one suspect as she drove away after the attack pinboy3niner Apr 2012 #71
Especially since law enforcement said yesterday that never happened obamanut2012 Apr 2012 #84
Well now we don't want any facts in this case. Rex Apr 2012 #91
So we watch as the hate escalates. LiberalAndProud Apr 2012 #73
+1,000,000,000 x 1,000,000,000 - n/t coalition_unwilling Apr 2012 #75
What are you talking about? Saving Hawaii Apr 2012 #153
Oh so THAT is what FUSS meant? Rex Apr 2012 #89
It gives a whole new meaning to those posters who yesterday coalition_unwilling Apr 2012 #96
warrant signed for arrest of at least one person according to local news Bacchus4.0 Apr 2012 #98
Since WKRG used the notorious 'fussed' in its reportage yesterday, you'll forgive me if coalition_unwilling Apr 2012 #100
absolutely understandable , I hope they arrest more than one though n/t Bacchus4.0 Apr 2012 #101
Whoever beat that man to a pulp, needs to be arrested. Rex Apr 2012 #103
Some info... Saving Hawaii Apr 2012 #154
Police: Only 4 people involved in beating; 100% certain Trayvon Martin case not a factor pinboy3niner Apr 2012 #155
I figured I'd misread the story somehow. Saving Hawaii Apr 2012 #156
Yes and it is just as stupid as saying anyone Rex Apr 2012 #102
Theoretically, yes, you should call the police. KamaAina Apr 2012 #108
This isn't the 1950's. Plenty of cops in Mobile are black. nt Liquorice Apr 2012 #137
If that is true, then both parties were wrong. Beacool Apr 2012 #109
If true, then he was surely wrong to do that, but it doesn't not Skip Intro Apr 2012 #113
All parties seem to be in the wrong, which isn't unusual in violent incidents RZM Apr 2012 #120
The Truly Awful Thing About This Story...... BronxBoy Apr 2012 #123
Awesome post. Thank you. n/t B2G Apr 2012 #128
good post. Liberal_in_LA Apr 2012 #129
Bravo! Please consider making this an OP of its own. It puts the entire matter coalition_unwilling Apr 2012 #133
Speak it! Catherine Vincent Apr 2012 #145
Nice analysis. Prometheus Bound Apr 2012 #152
Meaningful post. Thank you for writing it. n/t Judi Lynn Apr 2012 #157
bravo! you win the thread 0rganism Apr 2012 #158
I am glad there is less blaming on the victim. shimonitanegi Apr 2012 #160
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