Vigilante Justice

[Mugetsu]

This is a story that I saw posted on another site. Apparenty it's an older story but I still think it's an interesting read.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3112670.stm

So heres the question. How do you feel about vigilante justice? Do you think that it's ok for people to take matters into their own hands if they feel that law or actions by the authorities are unjust?

(As a side note, should people who do this really wear costumes)

[Ωmega]

In this case, no, its not ok. If someone gets a clamp on their tire for parking in a fire zone or something, then they DESERVED it. Sure, its nice to have some goon in a costume get rid of it for you, but then it'll only encourage law breaking.

And yes, they should all wear costumes =)

[zyronet]

woah.. he's weird for my opinion. But its okay. He said its free and its for public service.. nothing bad about that unless.. bad thing happens.. ugh (its so hard for me to express my opinions..)
and.. bout the costume, people may think its SO stupid, but lets just leave him in his happy public-service life.. He maybe enjoying it.. the angle-grinder man.. ehe'

[Antares]

I say the same as MaruDashi, it will just encourage law breaking. Maybe if it was for another cause (burglars in a neighborhood and such), then it's fine. We have vigilante justice where I live (yeah, you can not trust a cop to do the job if you're not an important person) and that's because the matter has gone out of hand. Take it from a person who needs to check 3 to 4 times who's walking by her house before she goes out.

[miniPhil]

No its not ok for people to take matters into their own hands. If everyone did that then we would fall into anarchy. The law is their for a reason, If the police and government arent doing their job then elect a new one. Thats what democracy is for.

[Sagat]

I think it has its time and place .. if the law is unwilling, incapable or just too damn slow because of beauracracy (sp?), then I am all for it - as long as it doesn't break the law in too severe a manner..

[███]

"I may not be able to single-handedly and totally cast off the repressive shackles of a corrupt government - but I can cut off your wheel-clamps for you."


As much as I disagree with his choice of vigilantism, his quote sure was funny and his costume looks cool.

[ParaParaJMo]

I guess his situation isn't a problem where I come from. Like if they operated like Batman (ie, no killing unless it's in self defense, just catch the guy and hand him over the police), I guess that's ok. (wait a minute, weren't Batman and Robin official deputies in the 1960s show?)

My dad used to know mercanaries and bounty hunters during his time in Nam and in the military because his buddies would get into that kinda stuff after retirement. I guess you can call them legal vigilantes because their professions are somewhat legal in the U.S. except in maybe a few states. They are just hired by a private firm or the government to track down a guy and bring him to justice. I say that's fine.

But doing things independtley and risking yourself and your family is a whole different manner. I say these people can be police informants or something. Do something more productive with their causes. To do this stuff, you gotta have street smarts. As in MAJOR street smarts. Some people who work in this stuff in a legal sense also have previous military and CIA training.

[Capernicus]

Uhhh...I don't think that really qualifies as vigilante justice. Vigilantes usually operate against...crime...not the police....

 

Wow....I totally want those crotch hugging pants. Maybe they'll get me chicks!

[DaSOCOM]

Vigilante justice has it's time and place. Sometimes, it is necessary for good people to do bad things to bad people who do bad things.

It is unfortunate that the police and government can't/won't handle some situations, and thus the people must make things happen.

As far as Angle Grinder Man...well...it's a good cause but a bad way to handle it. There are far worse things in the world than wheel locks.

Peace,
DaSOCOM

[pab]

hahaha!!!
this guy is funny
i think vigilantes should exist, that is taking things as far as a citizen's arrest.
i dont think a custume is necessary unless they do the hardcore stuff, like stoping gangs from robbing a store at night.
but hey!!! you never know...

[Eris]

The legal system was invented to prevent people taking justice in their own hands. If it still happens, the lawmakers are doing something wrong.

[Mugetsu]

I think that there are times when it is necessary for the people (or the person) to take matters into their own hands. The issue in my opinion is knowing when this is necessary. In this particular case, I don't see anything unjust about what the authorities were doing. The laws that were being broken were established to protect the people and promote order. But what about other cases where the law may be oppressive to the citizens.

Can't it be said that the American Revolution was an act of vigilantism?

[Fourstarball]

Okies, I don't know all the details, but I'm going to stick my oar in anyway.

In this case, no, its not ok. If someone gets a clamp on their tire for parking in a fire zone or something, then they DESERVED it. Sure, its nice to have some goon in a costume get rid of it for you, but then it'll only encourage law breaking.

And yes, they should all wear costumes =)

I agree about the costumes! Have you heard of Father for Justice? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4626106.stm

I would imagine that this chap is far more into doing it to the myriad of private companies that clamp and reap in all the profit for themselves. They charge £70 and upwards to un-clamp you. London council cost us £130. We parked under the 'park here' sign, but it turned out we should've parked three feet from it inside some white lines. We paid the parking money but we got clamped anyway. Good job our pal had her credit card or we'd have been in London with no money and nowhere to stay. I personally think this is horrendous, especially as it's based on a London wage which is far higher than ours.

Uhhh...I don't think that really qualifies as vigilante justice. Vigilantes usually operate against...crime...not the police....

Wow....I totally want those crotch hugging pants. Maybe they'll get me chicks!

Most people here don't have a problem with the police, but with the laws dished out by our government. I'm not saying it's right, but people like Fathers for Justice have a very valid point.

As to the costumes getting girls, I suppose it depends how good you look. If you look as good as Spiderman in Lycra it may just do the trick. Pics if you do it?

[yamikokogunneko08]

ok for one no guy should wear tights like that if he is going to be running around cutting off clamps...he should wear regular clothers or at least messed up ones so he looks like all he is is a contruction worker or something but still cover his face in some way so they dont know who he is and if someone parks their car somewhere where it isnt supposed to be it would be better for the police just to write them a ticket cuz then its on record and no one can take that away unless they go to court...but to me if no one has filed a complaint against him or even put a criminal charge against him then its ok for now as long as it doesnt get out of hand...but i do say it may encourage others to take matters into their own hands for a different matter and it will get out of hand so in a way this may be good and bad