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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!alice!jj
From: jj@alice.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: How to get my Goetz, or, don't stop the crime-shoot the suspect
Message-ID: <3252@alice.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 9-Jan-85 10:25:37 EST
Article-I.D.: alice.3252
Posted: Wed Jan  9 10:25:37 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 11-Jan-85 07:26:04 EST
Organization: New Jersey State Farm for the Terminally Bewildered
Lines: 41


Well, I've finally blown my cool on this issue.

Goetz had a gun.  He clearly was in command of the situation.  Why
(assuming he was ALLOWED to carry the gun, another loaded question)
didn't he say "Freeze, sucker, or I'll waste you!" and then back out of 
whatever situation he was in, or wait/summon New York's finest.

Why?  Damned if I know.  I don't know the tactical situation either!
None the less, assuming that he did have the superior weaponry,
it seems to me that he could have bluffed his way out of the situation instead
of blowing the hoods away.  (I'm assuming for the purposes of this article
that they were criminals, since that puts Goetz in the worst situation, as far
as being endangered. If they weren't, his legal and ethical position is even worse.)  

I don't think Goetz is a hero.  I think he is an anti-hero.
I'm more than a bit disgusted with those who think he IS a hero.  
For some other examples of vigilante behavior, see your
textbooks regarding various European nations in the 1930's.




I'll say it once more. I think that people should be allowed to buy guns,
and to keep them.  I also think that anyone who buys a gun MUST BE CLEARLY
educated as to the EFFECTS OF FIRING the weapon.  The person should be
able, via oral or written test, to clearly state the effects of firing
a gun at both humans and other animals, IN DETAIL.  If a person shows
that he or she cannot comprehend (or will not comprehend) the effects of
a firearm, then AND ONLY then should that person be prevented from carrying
a firearm.  
-- 
TEDDY BEARS PROTECT PENGUINS FROM WALRUSES
"I wish I was home again, back home in my heart again, it's been such a time
since my heart's home to me. ..."

(allegra,harpo,ulysses)!alice!jj