A big question

[Eric_]

I feel much the same as UseoForce. Everyone assumes an asailant to be armed. Not always so. Also, I would rather fight a "coward" armed with a knife than an unarmed guy who's a total hardcase. I think that the scenarios to consider here are ones in which victory is the greater probability, and where you are not risking death by opposing the agressor (unless, of course, you think he wants to kill you anyway). If some big dude grabs you one day thinking he can intimidate you out of your money, then it isn't a matter of the two dollars in your pocket, but, rather, one of letting this guy get away with robbing people.

You could just give him your wallet and avoid the risk of getting beaten up, but that just means you're passing him off to his next victim, and his next, hoping that at some point the police will catch him. Not only will retaliation get him in jail faster, it will further discourage any recidivism. If this is the mugger's first mugging (and it may very well be) then kicking his butt now will probably stop him from trying it again.

Martial artists or not, we wouldn't stand by and allow such a crime to happen to someone else, and by allowing ourselves to needlessly be a victim, that is exactly what we are doing. We don't negotiate with terrorists . . . this is the same principle, just on a smaller scale.

Edited December 6, 2005 by Eric_

[Gen_Tora]

Let me answer your quest like this, whats in my wallet? The cash the credit cards I can live without. My ID with my address, the place where my loved one are. I'll hand him my cash show him my empty wallet & walk away. But never show fear...

Now the 1 in 100 chance he may be all psyco & willing to come to my home or stalk my g/f. No, dice... He can try & take my wallet or get his cash or back off. I'm one of these people who never backs down even if I'll lose, & know it's coming.

Most people like that are either scared & desperate or just stupid. A real hard case will jusr shoot you then take your wallet, you have no defense against that.

As far is stopping a crime, I'll call you a cop or a hospital but thats it. I tried the knight in shinning armor stuff & I'm a better not getting involved person. Unless its a rapist, or child molester then I'll hand them their liver. But, most times it ain;t worth getting involved. Personal experiences!

my 3 cents

[elbows_and_knees]

Actually I think as citizens regardless of your MA status you have an obligation legally to act. Whether that is calling the police or helping a woman fight off a rapist. I'm pretty sure if the cops talk to you and it turns out you stood by while something went down you would be an accessory.

Actually, no they probably wouldn't. One of the things I mentioned - I stopped a paperboy from getting mugged - there was a cop across the street watching the whole thing. When it was done, I asked him if he saw everything, and he said yes. He said that as a cop, it wasn't his duty to help us - his job is to make sure everything AFTER the crime is handled properly. Reports are taken, arrests, if necessary, etc. he was not required to go prevent anything from happening.

[UseoForce]

Actually I think as citizens regardless of your MA status you have an obligation legally to act. Whether that is calling the police or helping a woman fight off a rapist. I'm pretty sure if the cops talk to you and it turns out you stood by while something went down you would be an accessory.

Actually, no they probably wouldn't. One of the things I mentioned - I stopped a paperboy from getting mugged - there was a cop across the street watching the whole thing. When it was done, I asked him if he saw everything, and he said yes. He said that as a cop, it wasn't his duty to help us - his job is to make sure everything AFTER the crime is handled properly. Reports are taken, arrests, if necessary, etc. he was not required to go prevent anything from happening.

Good for you, elbows.

Just goes to show that the security of a community is the responsibility of the individual. So often police have their hands bound with legalities and procedures that they are helpless to perform their primary duty: protecting and serving.

Don't jump my case, I'm not supporting vigilantism, but law abiding citizens need to be strong and unwavering in the face of crime (But not to the point of foolishness).

[tufrthanu]

OK I think that cop was in dereliction of duty. It IS his duty to stop crime. That is his sole function. Not to report it afterward. Thats why when bad guys hold hostages SWAT shows up. The don't wait until the guy kills everyone and then arrest him. Part of the motto of almost every police service in the country is Protect and Serve. If he refuses to Protect IMHO he has committed a crime. I give you New Orleans as example A.