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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!alice!jj
From: jj@alice.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Sigh, Still Goetz?
Message-ID: <3279@alice.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 14-Jan-85 14:56:04 EST
Article-I.D.: alice.3279
Posted: Mon Jan 14 14:56:04 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 15-Jan-85 01:59:49 EST
Organization: New Jersey State Farm for the Terminally Bewildered
Lines: 49


Now, look, kiddies, I didn't say that Goetz was AUTOMATICALLY wrong.  I
pointed out that it was POSSIBLE that he had many other courses of
action than shooting his way out.


I don't automatically buy the idea that he HAD to shoot his way out,
on the other hand, I don't deny the possibility (unlike what some
of you rabid mail writers seem to think!) that he HAD to shoot
his way out.


I don't think he should be considered a HERO until the facts are
in, and I don't mean the NEWS MEDIA facts, I mean the court action,
resolution of charges, and the like.  

While I have a less than thorough respect for the criminal justice system
myself, it's still much better than vigilantism in any form.

Suppose that someone who read Mr. Goetz's story doesn't  like 
large WASP types with a dark beard and a female campanion:
"Oh.  He's big and ugly, and she's a different race.  He MUST be
holding her against her will!.  BANG****"    (Not to imply that I am any of those listed in
the paranthetical comment. No judgement is involved.)

"But Judge, your honor, maam/sir, I felt REALLY threatened, after all,
he was almost as big, strong, and heavy as I am"
"Fine, sonny, it was an accident that he was a leading research scientist
in this esoteric subject I can't pronounce so it couldn't be
too important.  Not guilty!"


I think it's clear that one should be quite permitted to save one's self
in a potentially injurious situation. It should also be encumbent on 
the individual to be as slightly injurious as possible.  

People who shoot their way out of a critical situation should not 
AUTOMATICALLY be heroes.  If it turns out they were, fine.(To put it mildly)
If (oh, heaven forbid.  a vigilante mistaken? Lynch would be
surprised.) they were wrong, or deliberately excessive, that's a crime.  
It's no more or less serious than the one that was (ostensibly) prevented.
-- 
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