Vigilantes

[Saturn]

What are your thoughts on vigilantes? Vigilantes are people who take care of the bad guys that the police fail to catch. For instance, an extreme case of vigilantism would be Dexter Morgan from the TV show Dexter. It is generally frowned (illegal) upon by most law enforcement agencies. I think that it's a good thing, so long as they don't cross the line, for instance, if they make sure that whoever they are about to kill or arrest is beyond a reasonable doubt guilty first, and so long as they only kill people who committed really bad crimes like murder or rape or genocide or something along those lines. That being said, I don't know any vigilantes personally, but so long as they are doing good, I have no problem with it. If it works, it works. You know what they say, the end justifies the means.

[ShaneK]

I'm in favor of it, sometimes justice needs a helping hand

[nick]

Totally opposed. This is the lynch mob under a different name and I find it obscene and disgusting. Anyone that acts like that is themself a murderer and deserves whatever the penalty for that is in their own country.

[Tristin.]

Batman xd

[Amnesiac]

If it were a dire situation where an obvious crime was committed, and this vigilante didn't use excessive force in the situation, then sure. However, a MAJORITY of the time, people should leave catching criminals up to those who are trained to do it.

[ShaneK]

So i was wrong nick to attack some of my abusers was i?

[Peace God]

People do not and should not have the right to enforce the law. As ive said before, normal people lack proper training, experience, equipment and judgement to do so. The idea of allowing regular citizens to go around thinking they are cops is absolutely retarded. They would only be putting themselves and others in danger.

....unless they have superpowers.

[Jess]

in favor of them as long as they don't cross the lines, as you said

[ShaneK]

yea i dont mean killin people, this is real life

[nick]

So i was wrong nick to attack some of my abusers was i?
I dont know the circumstances of your case, but people cant take the law into their own hands, that just leads to anarchy. You cant demonstrate that people are wrong to break the law by breaking the law yourself.

[ShaneK]

that guy would walk from any court, i would have more hope of getting the president convicted. He walked from the unofficial tribunal, note not even an official tribunal.

[ShaneK]

nick i owe you an apology, i guess dealin with s**t has brought up some unpleasant memories. I said this before

ShaneK

Default Re: Man jailed for beating up his childhood rapist

The guy needs treatment not prison. So he beat the guy up, hell ive done that. He needs help, believe me, his own life has been more of a hell than any prison can be.

Now i aint sayin we should all be like vigilantes or anything, but we can understand why he did it

[nick]

nick i owe you an apology...
No you dont. I hope you dont think I'm unsympathetic to your case, I understand the desire for revenge but that doesnt make it right.

Things can be complicated, many abusers were themself abused as children, so they might be victims too.

Sorry, I dont really know you. Would be happy to put that right, let me know if you'd like to talk more.

[Tristin.]

wait would superman be classed as a vigilante?

oh and on topic, i think its ok sometimes, but mostly its bad

[ShaneK]

It was the only recourse open to me. You are right we cant have a world where every person tries to right wrongs. You have said a few good things (I have only seen a few).

you are not unsympathetic, i am too passionate

[Church]

If I see a man raping a woman or something I aint gonna call the cops, I'm gonna grab my 9mm and tell the guy to stop or I'm going to shoot him, if I dont shoot him then I'll tie him down with zip ties and call the cops.

[Bougainvillea]

If you want to be a vigilante, then get a license to be a bounty hunter. Otherwise, it's a stupid idea. Everyone deserves a trial. Not to just be killed. Because, then there really IS no justice.

[Sith Lord 13]

If you want to be a vigilante, then get a license to be a bounty hunter. Otherwise, it's a stupid idea. Everyone deserves a trial. Not to just be killed. Because, then there really IS no justice.

And what about a vigilante who just apprehends and doesn't kill?

[Bougainvillea]

Then wouldn't it be considered a public service, or a citizen's arrest? I suppose. But I'd still rather the person be a bounty hunter. They're trained, and have a legal stance. But if you feel like you have no other choice, then I guess it's... I don't know. If it's... GOD DAMN IT! I CAN'T GET THE WORDS OUT!

[ShaneK]

I gave this answer in another thread, but it seems more applicable here

When law enforcement itself is corrupt, certain extreme measures have to be taken. It's a matter of degree, some laws go beyond politics. These are laws that have to do with society, with civilization, even religion.

[Magus]

Let me quote some movie:
in certain extreme situations, the law is inadequate. In order to shame its inadequacy, it is necessary to act outside the law. To pursue... natural justice. This is not vengeance. Revenge is not a valid motive, it's an emotional response. No, not vengeance. Punishment.

[ShaneK]

I'm alluring to basic universal laws such as the social contract which was use in the United States Declaration of Independence. Without the social contract we would have war of all against all. Chaos

[Ender]

Well, in some areas, the police are much to busy to handle certain cases. So people hire P.I.'s to get the evidence, and catch the guys and hand them over to the police.

Now, taking the law completely into your own hands. As in playing executioner and everything, im completely opposed.

[Magus]

Now, taking the law completely into your own hands. As in playing executioner and everything, im completely opposed.

Opposed? When you find out that the local police are corrupt and feeds on bribes? To find out that there are people who are lurking on the streets ready to empty clips on innocent passersby just for teh lolz?

Believe me, it is time to go all Rambo there, my friend.

[Ender]

To find out that there are people who are lurking on the streets ready to empty clips on innocent passersby just for teh lolz?

Believe me, it is time to go all Rambo there, my friend.

Thats where people carrying self defense weapons, and knowing how to protect one another come in hand. But people are to lazy to outside and play, let alone get training that could save their life one day.

[Lasky]

I'm very much in favor of this. Even if the person hasn't broken the law, I believe in personal vendetta.

[The Dark Lord]

I'm very much in favor of this. Even if the person hasn't broken the law, I believe in personal vendetta.

Why?

[Korashk]

I'm very much in favor of this. Even if the person hasn't broken the law, I believe in personal vendetta.
You're in favor of honor killings...

[Magus]

You're in favor of honor killings...
I thought Honor killings is when you Kill your sister for having illegitimate sex with other man, to save the honor and the name of the family??

I believe in the Ghandian way when it comes to vendetta. And I believe in the Rambo way when saving other people.

[Korashk]

I thought Honor killings is when you Kill your sister for having illegitimate sex with other man, to save the honor and the name of the family??
Might be an example, but I know for a fact that an example of honor killing is when you kill other people/families for wronging you or your family.

[Theatheist of doom]

Couldn't be any worse than the police officers in these recent publications of police brutality.

[Wicked_Syn]

I think it's a good idea. There are soo many police out there that are crooked and don't do their damn job and are lazy as hell. Depending on the person, I definitely condone vigilantes

[lightkun]

Death Note and Dexter ftw!

[Shenron]

Well, you see, it really depends on the case. In 99% of cases, it never ends well. BUT, there are cases where the actions of the vigilante are warranted. Let me give you a scenario:
I am out for a drive, and I see someone come flying past me and then quickly turn down a side street. Then I see police come hauling ass over the hill and keep going. So I turn down said side road after the car, follow him while calling dispatch to confirm that he was being pursued. I get the confirmation and then see the diver pull behind an abandoned shed, so I lag back a bit and see him jump out of the car and flee into a nearby field. I then pursue the driver into said field and eventually catch him, and take him down. He puts up a fight, so I have to beat the shit out of him until he stops resisting. Once I have him under control, I call dispatch again and let them know I have him in my custody. Now, was I right or wrong?

Another....I see a police officer struggling with a suspect on the side of the road so I pull over, before I get out of the cat, the suspect gets the officers gun and shoots him. I then proceed to pull out the Glock .40 I carry with me and shoot the suspect. I hit a major atrery, and kill him. Was I right or wrong? I know that the chances I would be convicted of anything are slim to none.

Now, the two scenarios I have described above could fall under the category of "good samaritan" But, in a way, it could still be considered vigilantism.

[Jamarama]

I condone vigilantes. Why? I just do. No reason. None at all....

*covers up Batman outfit*

[Camazotz]

Vigilantes hold a dangerous belief that they are higher or equal to the government when it comes to enforcing the law. Police officers are trained and experienced. The common people should have to go through some sort of training course and become certified before they can assist in crimes. I understand that people just want to help catch and punish the bad guys, but their actions can be harmful to those involved and counter-productive towards the efforts of the police. Sure, the law can be corrupt, but that only calls for further help from higher up in the government, not to take the situation into one's own hands.

[Daniel_]

Totally opposed. This is the lynch mob under a different name and I find it obscene and disgusting. Anyone that acts like that is themself a murderer and deserves whatever the penalty for that is in their own country.

I disagree.

It's not as though there running around killing innocent people. There just killing murderers, and rapists. Commonly, people who would have killed again.

I support.

[Korashk]

I disagree.

It's not as though there running around killing innocent people. There just killing murderers, and rapists. Commonly, people who would have killed again.

I support.
What you mean is that they're killing people that are innocent under a court of law.

[Daniel_]

What you mean is that they're killing people that are innocent under a court of law.

What? No, how the hell did you get that.

They kill people who are murders, rapists, junk like that.

[Korashk]

What? No, how the hell did you get that.

They kill people who are murders, rapists, junk like that.
They kill people they THINK are murderers and rapists, junk like that. Huge fucking difference.