Another article on savagery in Philadelphia

[MMC]

<<<<<Makes Note to carry piece in Philly!!!!!

[Mister D]

It does make yo wonder why one shouldn't have the right to carry a piece.

[MMC]

Any weapons for that matter!

[Conley]

Agreed.

Seems there's a problem with the youfs in Philly!

http://www.philly.com/philly/gallery/139129359.html

[Mister D]

What are you supposed to do in that situation? Run? Granted, Mister D can probably outrun a pack of feral "youds" but most people can't and no one is going to be able to fight off a pack of teenagers. Unless you drop one of course...

[CoLibertarian]

This kind of thing happens all the time lately. Teens beating up homeless people or posting fights between each other online are just a couple examples.

Is broken homes or illegitimacy the only possible "causes" for the kind of phenomena? Could it also be something else within our society (oh let's see, this fascination with violence that our culture has)? Funny how the suggested solutions to this problem in Philly is also more violence.

[Conley]

I don't buy the idea that our society has suddenly become enamored with violence. Kids have been playing with GI Joe's (or plastic army men before that), Cowboys and Indians, Cops and Robbers, etc. There has always been a fascination with violence, it's part of human nature.

[Mister D]

This kind of thing happens all the time lately. Teens beating up homeless people or posting fights between each other online are just a couple examples.

Is broken homes or illegitimacy the only possible "causes" for the kind of phenomena? Could it also be something else within our society (oh let's see, this fascination with violence that our culture has)? Funny how the suggested solutions to this problem in Philly is also more violence.

Less a solution to the general problem than the specific problem an individual finds himself in. On the other hand, I do believe that at least some would be perpetrators would think twice. All? No way. These aren't rational choices or at least I hope they aren't.

I agree that our fascination with violence could very well be a factor.

[CoLibertarian]

I don't buy the idea that our society has suddenly become enamored with violence. Kids have been playing with GI Joe's (or plastic army men before that), Cowboys and Indians, Cops and Robbers, etc. There has always been a fascination with violence, it's part of human nature.

Quite possible. However (and this is the old man in me), when I was growing up, our violent games and conflicts and imagery were at a far more reduced level than they are now. How about you?

[CoLibertarian]

Less a solution to the general problem than the specific problem an individual finds himself in. On the other hand, I do believe that at least some would be perpetrators would think twice. All? No way. These aren't rational choices or at least I hope they aren't.

I agree that our fascination with violence could very well be a factor.

I don't know - teens thinking about the consequences of their actions? How did they know that the old vet did not have a gun? What would have happened if he did? Would the violence have escalated or would the problem be averted?