The Politics Thread (PLAY NICELY!)

I think that old man is a hero. If idiot kids think they can get away with theft they better think twice because they might get shot. It really seems like the perfect deterrent to me. Now should shooting someone just for theft be OK? Well that's morality. Obviously if someone walks up to your door and you don't like how they walked up then you shouldn't shoot them.

There is nothing heroic about killing people.

Especially not when the victim has their back turned on you and is clearly running away.

That really depends on the situation (there are not many situations where this is the case though). However, in the case of the old man, he just flat out killed the kid who was leaving the premises after non-lethal assault and failed robbery (at least this was the case seems to be according to the news report). Yes, the kids deserved punishment, but there was no reason for the old man's ruthlessness after his life was no longer at risk.

Oh it is though. It sends a message to people that they take a big risk committing a crime. Though I'm not saying that old man took it too far (because he kinda did).

edit: maybe heroic is the wrong term.

It's the job of the justice-part of the state to send out that message. The police would've been able to catch the attackers later and put them in front of a fair trial.

Imho true heroism is about only risking yourself. If the result of your actions is that somebody else died then you kind failed at that.

yeah agreed. heroism is the wrong term

The programmers who run the drones are going to be far more effective at killing than the few people who think marksmanship allows you to succeed at war.

Drones aren't the primary currency in war - soldiers are. Drones will be soon, but that time is not now.

Killing a child molester while he's holding children hostage and refuses to give ground. Put. Him. Down.

A) Completely justified if they had the intent to harm you, your family, or your belongings. You are completely within your rights to defend yourself.
B) Accidents are called accidents for a reason. They are not supposed to happen, and we learn from our mistakes. And no, surprising visitors aren't usually shot. It's the guy who is blatantly displaying malicious intent. That's it. There are bad eggs, as always, but you cannot draw from those bad eggs in an attempt to regulate the law abiding public.

Kiwi is also correct - if criminals knew the ridiculous risk of getting SHOT when robbing someone, they wouldn't do it. And since most people trying to rob others are poor and desperate, they can't afford guns. Hence, its a trained, gun-wielding homeowner vs some bum off the street who thinks he's seen some **** in his life. No contest.

The time for world war III isn't now either. And good marksmanship won't stop that random bullet ricochet from a novice that kills you before you ever fire your weapon.

Never said the time for WW3 was now. No one wants a WW3.

Good marksmanship and solid training will see you through a war. If you cant even handle a weapon, you are worthless.

War is a meat-grinder, not some test of skills. You can't stop bullets or random RPGs with skills. In fact, doesn't matter how good your training is, since it can be nullified by drone strikes. And there is my point, technology can make all that training obsolete.

....aaaaaaand this is why we're not quite yet ready as a species to meet an alien race. until we're all clear in the head; ALL of us on earth; We'll come off as little more than barbaric caveman.

it's maim. Barbarians indeed.

Wait a second - let me get this straight. You think it is WRONG that I defend my property with deadly force from intruders?

What the actual **** is wrong with you? I EARNED THE MONEY I USED TO BUY ALL THIS STUFF. ITS MINE. I WORKED MY *** OFF FOR IT.

YOU don't get to tell me that I cannot PROTECT WHAT IS MINE. GO **** YOURSELF.

QUICK SOMEONE POST A GIF FOR COMIC RELIEF

you hold the concept of property above all.

I find it to be the most anal of all our cavemen instinct shortcomings.

it's only fair I shove it in your face as much as you shove your pro-gun in ours.

much obliged. ^_^

with audio

Caveman instinct? What? Are you ******* retarded?
What's the next level in our evolution, the hive mind? Good god.

If the personal attacks continue I may have to ask a moderator to take action. Attack the argument, not the person.

ironically enough you're not far off xD

In a sense we've already made steps in that direction with the interaction internet's been allowing.

and with the certain arrival of mind-machine connection technology it won't be long.

meme