tebore said:
What is the world coming to? Really... it's just messed up when you think about it.
The world has always been this way, the occurrance does not only exist in the US. The instinct for self preservation overrules compassion and empathy and its not an uncommon role of instinct, just no one chooses to accept it because we choose to express our adherence and support for ethics when in fact when a scenario opens with an antagonist welding a weapon, heroism? what heroism? many instead choose to think that we are a perfect country and that people will always lend a hand for the collective good, which as a matter of fact when things are seen through economic eyes no one will choose to help with anything if no reward or gain can be persued.
As a good simitarian bystander, heres a couple things that would pass my mind:
If I conceal carry a pistol, and I tried to save the man's life from the assilant by firing at him, it becomes my burden to prove that the assilant had acted intentionally. If the women was scared out of her wits, it may be difficult to prove anything as a witness and may be easily swayed by the defendants attorney to include nonexisting details, thereby illustrating her own fallacy. Other bystanders would notice the sound of the shot sooner than spotting the assilant downrange, and may immediately regard it me as the murderer. If I tried to threaten him with the pistol, in a city I may have to approach him before he can see me, if he came at me, shortening the distance of my response time, limiting the time necessary for me to respond, the following occurs:
If I tried intervenion without a tool, I may become the victim. When the assilant was attacking her, he had a voluntary motive, he would have had an alternative choice to go with it. Confronting him to the point in which he feels threatened may be cornering the mouse, who then will attack the cat being no alternative choice available. The first victim [the man] may flee, a common instinctive reaction and fail to notify others that I may need help. Usually a plea would be heard by someone, mere action that is open to interpretation at best may attract a few people with video cameras thinking its an thrillng brawl.
If I hesitated to look, the assilant may regard me as a witness and follow me around, thereby endangering my household or neighbors as they become potential victims by proximity.
If I kept to myself, economically I have gained nothing, emotionally maybe a bit of guilt, physically, I am uninjured and I may never encounter the assilant again.
If the scenario was played out being the first victim as a family member, it would be somewhat different in logic, but I would not be surprised if the results hinted even a speck of consistency. Perhaps in a family situation the outcome may be more fortunate as moral and filial duty may overrule the notion to flee.
Its the world we've always lived in, love and kindness during peace, irrationality and ignorance during instability, there is no "utopia" to be found, anywhere...even in outer space
