I am an idiot.

You ain't no idiot.

You're one of the few people around still worth functioning organs.

As someone who's been abused (and who's abused others, in defense), I can say I'm out of the hate-spreading cycle. I've never abused kids or anything, but I got in the habit of spewing my anger at everyone around me during my middle school time, because I was around some unfavorably violent people, and my family couldn't seem to care less...

Seriously, my generation worries me.

I just turned twenty years old, and I'm totally afraid of facing my own adulthood... not because I'm doubtful about myself, but because I want something great to fight for. Then, when I look around and see everyone else around my age, I think... what's the point?

So many people are wastes of space now.

There have always been screw ups, in EVERY generation, but it seems like mine is becoming the new liberal cesspool of sin and ignorance, and they embrace it. Its pitiful.

reply to post by XxNightAngelusxX


I know what you mean about our generation.

That being said, I still love porn.

I'd never treat my girlfriend like that but still, better to not breed right?

We've forgotten fantasy vs. reality. How we operate is merely a function of our perceptions.

It just pisses me off how apathetic we've all become, not shell shocked thinking about something... that is different.

I'm not talking about apathy in regard to politics, merely the small things. For example, a man noticed papers blowing everywhere at mass transit center today and took the time to pick them up. That is an important act! Usually other people would do so, but I guess we were all too self-absorbed at the time. Not a good sign that.

I once helped take down a group that was harvesting information posing as a federal non-profit giving out food stamps. I don't know a damn thing about computers and never got paid, but NONE of my CS friends wanted to get involved. Needless to say, merde. That is their line of expertise! What are we coming to?

reply to post by teachtaire


Big ups to you man!

reply to post by teachtaire

For example, a man noticed papers blowing everywhere at mass transit center today and took the time to pick them up. That is an important act!

I totally feel ya on that.

Imagine going to subway in the middle of the night, and finding some middle school kids beating up a young black man outside of the building--and everyone driving by as though they hadn't seen anything.



That happened to me a few months ago, freaked me out.

You're right. People have become apathetic and detached.

They're no longer forced to FEEL things, like they're supposed to be.

The world is fluff now.

It is very difficult to know the right thing to do or say in these situations.

Once stopped a drunk guy from beating his wife in a semi-public setting, and she just gave me this look, like she knew it would only be worse later that night. He caused a big scene and swore to return with a gun.

Once stopped a guy from beating his girlfriend in the street only to have her put a knife at my back.

Once got between an abusive brother and his nutty sister. She put a gun in my face.

Once stopped a guy that was chasing a woman around the neighborhood. I'd learned my lesson at this point and said "Hey man. I'm calling the cops. Just letting you know." Still had to do something, even if it was just a phone call. Turns out she's a pro and he's a pimp. This was fairly routine for them. So that was a wash.

I would rather get between fighting dogs than step into the middle of a domestic dispute. Ask any cop, it's a fool's errand. They see it all the time. Just can't help it though. No matter how idiotic. Some unseen force compels you to act or speak, everything about it feels wrong, but there you are sticking your head in the lion's mouth.

reply to post by SlackOps


You person(s?) of the internet have been totally honest in your reply.

That is the gods honest truth, fighting dogs is a safer choice.

That being said, she was really short and cute.

In all seriousness however, your reply I feel, has been the most honest out of all. No starry eyed BS or romantic nonsense.

It's really difficult to properly asses whether or not that person is in need of help or it is part of their movie to which they have a right to direct as they see fit until a judge rules otherwise in which case it's up to the police and I probably wouldn't know about it.

The problem is, if you intervene then you would say that person is indeed defenseless while to that person that might not be the case until he or she is down and out. That is a border that person has defined and everybody should respect that. Intervening means you take away the chance for somebody to stand up for themselves and there is the possibility this happens all the time so the person doesn't have a chance to learn it for themselves and might think it's normal and remain defenseless for the remainder of their life while other people will keep having to intervene. In the end it'll lead to a society where people are considered born defenseless making it impossible for them to ever be convincing enough to appear strong and that is what attracts the predators. Or those who want to correct others for being too weak while they consider themselves usually too strong but both might not realize and attract eachother.

There are some pointers, in case of a discernable age difference I would say something or report it, in case I would see a parent molest their child, even indoors actually. It's up to the parents to defend their childs behaviour or correct it and the child should watch and learn. Children should learn how to defend themselves but only after age 18 should one wait until the person asks for help or in case of physical violence.

Asking someone to use their phone is something different, for me to use my right to appeal to the police a number of checks must be passed, never cry a wolf or at least make an effort not to and let everyone know you made a mistake in case you did.

reply to post by Dragonfly79

You are correct. That being said,

I had a rough childhood. There is something to be said for the school of hard knocks. The kids these days don't have enough "positive" reinforcement for respect of their human beings

In my areas culture, merely giving him a "talking to" would have gotten my ass rushed and taken to the ground. It's taken me a LONG TIME to understand how that works around here. But, a good knocking is pretty standard in an area where violence is culturally glorified be cause they are from a different ethnic and cultural background. I'm living in a colony basically, people fight all the time. It is regarded as "body language."

I am an Idiot as well! Always have been actually. I have fought more fights that weren't mine than my own. At a pretty successful rate I might add. I am not the typical Urkel. My dad raised my brothers and I bare knuckle boxing style. I laugh now but I know I hated him then. I am tougher for it I know it. He always raised us telling us to never touch a woman in any way that you wouldn't want done 50 fold on you. I grew up watching my dad stopping other men in the middle of kmarts and walmarts grabbing their ladies by their arms and what not so my dad would grab them too by the back of their neck and whisper something in their ear. It was done then. My dad is a 6'5 325lb horse retired marine. There was no room for tolerance and most men would look at him like wtf just happened. Moral of the story I guess is I was raised to be an idiot and I always will be. Maybe someday I will find me a lady while saving one. Now that would be ideal.

reply to post by teachtaire


On my darkest days I wonder if leaving those people to beat each other infertile (or worse) is such a bad thing, but the knight is too ingrained in me, too, to leave the defenseless at the mercy of bullies... futile as it usually is to briefly stop the public beating only to leave the poor woman to face the results of humiliation at home, alone.

It is a complex weave of insecurity, ignorance, perceived powerlessness and lack of known options... with an unhealthy dose of Stockholm Syndrome and the old "if he pays ANY attention to me, he must love me" idiocy thrown in... discouraging, but better than it was a few decades ago, at least.

Cheers to fighting the nearly futile good fight.

reply to post by Baddogma


Well, I'm sure that the guy thinks I'm quite evil. And I didn't do that in front of the woman, so she doesn't think I'm good. And all of the other witnesses thought I was bad too.

So it was more of a moral shady "grey" act.

reply to post by ga-`tv-gi


That is a good story! You were her knight in shining armor! Kudos to you

Originally posted by teachtaire
reply to post by Baddogma

 

Well, I'm sure that the guy thinks I'm quite evil. And I didn't do that in front of the woman, so she doesn't think I'm good. And all of the other witnesses thought I was bad too.

So it was more of a moral shady "grey" act.

dont beat yourself up .. in life there is no black and white ... only shades of grey ...