Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site alice.UUCP 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