posted
Good Samaritan laws aside, I'd prefer to live every day with the threat, or consequences, of a (quite possibly unsuccessful) lawsuit, than with the knowledge that I stood by and allowed another human being to die simply to avoid a lawsuit. YMMV.
-------------------- How homophobic do you have to be to have penguin gaydar? - Lewis Black Posts: 8322 | From: Columbus, OH | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
I hate reading stuff like this. It brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. I just don't understand how someone could hurt a child.
Posts: 7 | From: Bristol, Tennessee | Registered: Aug 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Aptenodytes_Forsteriis: If intelligent people stop breeding then we will be selecting for lower intelligence, that seems unlikely to improve conditions.
Are you confusing intelligence with education / opportunity here ?
quote:Originally posted by Aptenodytes_Forsteriis: The carrying capacity of the planet is not a fixed number.
Some fairly accomplished scientists would beg to differ. Some might even say (with good justification) that we had already exceeded our capacity.
Posts: 3100 | From: London, UK | Registered: Nov 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Aptenodytes_Forsteriis: If intelligent people stop breeding then we will be selecting for lower intelligence, that seems unlikely to improve conditions.
Are you confusing intelligence with education / opportunity here ?
Maybe. But wouldn't the effect be similar?
-------------------- How homophobic do you have to be to have penguin gaydar? - Lewis Black Posts: 8322 | From: Columbus, OH | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
On the original topic, the death of that little girl is sickening. It just shows the lenghts we humans are willing to go to hurt each other for whatever reason.
On the the issues of having kids (or not), and saving kids if needed, I have to say that I agree with some people who have already posted. Lady Moon, I agree that other people's ill-mannered and obnoxious children drive me up a wall. I can't count the number of times I've seen a child acting up and the parent not paying attention (whether they're ignoring the kid or tired or for any other reason). I shake my head and think to myself "If I'd pulled that when I was a kid..."
I do not consider myself a "kid" person and I have no biological urge to have a child. However,, you're damn right I'd stop a kid from getting hit by a car. You're stupid enough to sue? Bring it. If someone needs help, I'd rather help and then get bitched out, than not help and something horrible happen. A few months ago I helped an elderly woman who'd fallen down flat in the middle of a road in a busy city square to safety. There were tons of people around but they were so busy with thier lives they would have let her get run over in traffic if another woman and I hadn't stepped up. Stuff like that makes me
Someone earlier mentioned a kind of "mother bear" instinct coming out when they were around a child they cared about and I can relate. I may not ever want to have kids, but try to mess with my boyfriend's son or my friend's 5 year old daughter and you'll have to get through me first.I know, I make total sense
-------------------- The important thing is not to stop questioning- Einstein Posts: 290 | From: Boston, MA | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
I don't see population explosion as a reason not to have children. Asia has a huge population and has taken steps to solve the problem. On my island the population has been aging and shrinking. Is it my responsibility to help keep up the population of my region, or should I look at the world as a whole?
Or maybe I should just make the decision based on how many children I think I can responsibly care for and financially support. I don't think vanity played any part in my decision.
As for the OP, I cringe to imagine what goes on in the mind of an individual who would do such a thing to anyone, child or not.
-------------------- There are just some things a dog can't explain to a monkey. Posts: 2529 | From: Newfoundland | Registered: Jan 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Llewtrah: These days you can't do those things without being accused of molestation or attempted abduction.
I hope you intended that to be hyperbole. I doubt very much that anyone (especially a 40-something female like yourself) has ever been accused of molestation or abduction for grabbing an unattended child's arm to prevent her from running into traffic.
Not hyperbole, which is a sad comment on modern society. Gone are the days when a child could sit on a teacher's lap for a comforting hug, or when a dinnerlady could hug a child in the playground after a grazed knee.
Since I am a growing-old-disgracefully person who manages to look 10 years younger than I am, I'm hardly going to get a waiver on the "dignified matron" stakes ... especially when I'm wearing a Cannibal Corpse or Slayer tshirt and studded leather wristbands! This works much like a wasp's stripes - parents tend to pull their offspring away from the "strange lady," presumably in case I do satanic sacrifices.
posted
Llewtrah, I never presumed you were a "dignified matron." I was primarily referring to the statistical fact that most crimes against children are committed by men.
-------------------- How homophobic do you have to be to have penguin gaydar? - Lewis Black Posts: 8322 | From: Columbus, OH | Registered: Aug 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Aptenodytes_Forsteriis: If intelligent people stop breeding then we will be selecting for lower intelligence, that seems unlikely to improve conditions.
Are you confusing intelligence with education / opportunity here ?
quote:Originally posted by Aptenodytes_Forsteriis: The carrying capacity of the planet is not a fixed number.
Some fairly accomplished scientists would beg to differ. Some might even say (with good justification) that we had already exceeded our capacity.
No I don't think I am confusing intelligence with education. And the carrying capacity of the earth depends on the technology of those being carried.
Earth can support:
x hunter gatherers xy hand farmers xyz farmers using domesticated animals xyzq farmers using plows etc.
We have not reached any sort of magic limit to the return on technological development.
-------------------- 'Hello, assorted humanoid strangers. You are standing casually in our forest. This bewilders us.' Blatherskite Posts: 950 | From: Cincinnati, Ohio | Registered: Sep 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Lainie: Llewtrah, I never presumed you were a "dignified matron." I was primarily referring to the statistical fact that most crimes against children are committed by men.
Aah well, I'll forgive you on the matron stakes
While abuse is statistically more often committed by men, there are many women who turn a blind eye to the abuse. Maybe they are scared of losing the man (maybe he's the breadwinner). Maybe they are simply scared of him and feel they have nowhere to run to.
quote:Originally posted by Lainie: Llewtrah, I never presumed you were a "dignified matron." I was primarily referring to the statistical fact that most crimes against children are committed by men.
Aah well, I'll forgive you on the matron stakes
While abuse is statistically more often committed by men, there are many women who turn a blind eye to the abuse. Maybe they are scared of losing the man (maybe he's the breadwinner). Maybe they are simply scared of him and feel they have nowhere to run to.
Quite true. But that's not likely to make somebody think you were trying to molest or abduct their child if you grabbed her to stop her from running into traffic, now is it?
-------------------- How homophobic do you have to be to have penguin gaydar? - Lewis Black Posts: 8322 | From: Columbus, OH | Registered: Aug 2005
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quote:Someone mentioned that a "defect" should perhaps excuse child rapists from the death penalty. I don't agree. A person who is incapable of rational thought is even more likely to reoffend.
That somebody was me, and I wasn't suggesting that he/she be let back out on the streets, just that (aside from the fact that I consider the DP itself a negative thing) I believe it immoral to put a person to death when they are not mentally capable of standing trial.
Put them in a psych ward for the duration of their life (or until proven treatments are found), at least thats my solution given my limited knowledge of the justice system.
quote:And apparently my actions should be influenced by whether a child is about to run in a road or not, or that was the implication.
IMO not helping a child, and adult, or an animal* out of a dangerous or life threatening situation when you have the capacity to safely do so is pretty horrible.. That said I do not believe, unless there was some extremes to the situation** that you could be charged with anything so nobody is really forcing your hand here.
Maybe I'm biased, but I believe that those who have the capability of helping others have the responsibility to do so when possible (and safe), the idea that anybody would prefer to watch somebody die or become seriously injured rather then lend a hand is more then a little disturbing, but I guess thats the darker side of "to each their own".
*Of course we use some animals for food and fasion (for better or worse) so there are some acceptable "life threatening" situations for them..
**If you sat on a park bench watching as a child drowned in a bucked I suppose you might get in trouble for not assisting, not sure what laws are relevant to that, but I don't believe you would be punished for not stopping a kid from running into the street because there are a million resonable excuses that could be given lending a shadow to that doubt..
-------------------- "All people are responsible for the good that they didn't do" Posts: 4774 | From: Virginia | Registered: Feb 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Llewtrah: Since I am a growing-old-disgracefully person who manages to look 10 years younger than I am, I'm hardly going to get a waiver on the "dignified matron" stakes ... especially when I'm wearing a Cannibal Corpse or Slayer tshirt and studded leather wristbands! This works much like a wasp's stripes - parents tend to pull their offspring away from the "strange lady," presumably in case I do satanic sacrifices.
Mine would probaly run up to you and ask if you knew mummy
-------------------- Focus On The Family- An opinion group who think more about Gay Sex than gay people do- Rick Mercer Posts: 590 | From: Rawdon, Quebec | Registered: Nov 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Llewtrah: Since I am a growing-old-disgracefully person who manages to look 10 years younger than I am, I'm hardly going to get a waiver on the "dignified matron" stakes ... especially when I'm wearing a Cannibal Corpse or Slayer tshirt and studded leather wristbands! This works much like a wasp's stripes - parents tend to pull their offspring away from the "strange lady," presumably in case I do satanic sacrifices.
Mine would probaly run up to you and ask if you knew mummy
Presumably I'll recognise yours by the child-sized Cannibal Corpse tshirt?
On the few occasions where I have had to accompany child-encumbered friends with their children, I've been told that I cope okay. However I cope okay with kids over (approx) 8 years old when they are reasonably articulate and can be compromised with. I simply cannot cope with pre-schoolers (after visiting friends who had young children and being dragooned into the "trip to the park", I needed a couple of stiff drinks).
Parents who manage to bring up well-adjusted children and cope with tantrums and troubles without going insane or resorting to violence deserve bravery awards. i wouldn't want to do that without getting paid danger money up front .
posted
Scary to note another article says he was recently working in a relative's daycare center
Here's an interesting quote from supposed Myspace page (which lists his job as a child daycare worker):
"Basically i get bored real easy so i end up doin really stupid stuff."
Posts: 687 | From: Grand Rapids, Michigan | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
I was already crying from the 3yr old Marcus who was killed by his foster parents but this made me sob SO hard. I would have done some MAJOR bodily harm if he was there at the hospital when I found out. I wouldn't be able to leave my son's side to go hunt him down if he wasn't there and I was in the situation. I hope the bastard dies a horrible death. Has there been any updates? I don't want to get slammed for wishing death upon the "accused". Not to be biased...I prefer my son to have female everything. I don't mind school teachers whom are male but daycare is a bit too personal to have a male working there. I know that sounds wrong but I hope someone sees my point. I myself don't like male doctors...esp "there".
-------------------- "Fate is like a strange, unpopular resturant, filled with odd waiters who bring you things you never ask for and don't always like."-Lemony Snicket Posts: 1119 | From: Bronx, NY | Registered: Dec 2005
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Presumably I'll recognise yours by the child-sized Cannibal Corpse tshirt?
[/QUOTE]
No sorry a pair of pink princesses.... but I do have hopes for the boy.
-------------------- Focus On The Family- An opinion group who think more about Gay Sex than gay people do- Rick Mercer Posts: 590 | From: Rawdon, Quebec | Registered: Nov 2005
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I don't think this is a new phenomenon. It's hard to know if it is on the rise. It is certainly being more widely reported. Sadly the proliferation of internet chatrooms makes it easier for such people to contact others and may encourage some individuals to turn their fantasies into action (e.g. to exchange webcam footage).
posted
Why is that sentence so short How is an 11mo old going to tell that something like that is occuring...o0o on the list for life...why isn't he in JAIL for the rest of his life GRR!
-------------------- "Fate is like a strange, unpopular resturant, filled with odd waiters who bring you things you never ask for and don't always like."-Lemony Snicket Posts: 1119 | From: Bronx, NY | Registered: Dec 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Llewtrah: Another one - in this case the child may have been only 11 months old and endured almost 4 years of abuse.
The child was 11 months old and endured almost four years of abuse?
-------------------- "Seize the day! Make your lives extraordinary!" -John Keating, "Dead Poets Society" Posts: 2861 | From: New Jersey | Registered: May 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Llewtrah: Another one - in this case the child may have been only 11 months old and endured almost 4 years of abuse.
The child was 11 months old and endured almost four years of abuse?
No, according to the article they think the abuse started when the baby was about 11 months old and continued for about 4 years.
13 years in jail is not nearly enough.
-------------------- Don't argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the difference. "Divorce is not caused because 50% of marriages end in gayness." - Jon Stewart my space on myspace--now showing "80's Video Of The Week" Posts: 278 | From: Bel Air, MD | Registered: May 2006
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-------------------- "Seize the day! Make your lives extraordinary!" -John Keating, "Dead Poets Society" Posts: 2861 | From: New Jersey | Registered: May 2004
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How is an 11mo old going to tell that something like that is occuring...o0o on the list for life...why isn't he in JAIL for the rest of his life GRR!![[Confused]](confused.gif)
