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Post by JustMyOpinion on Jun 5, 2008 15:33:57 GMT -5
I really struggle with what's happening to our society. I rarely watch the news anymore since it's full of horrific personal tragedies. And, even the forums (like the PD) are a huge disappointment, many of the posters are ignorant and use the forum platform to inflate their fragile egos rather then attempting to make reasoned opinions, or debates. "F" this, and "F" that you so and so is all many seem to be capable of. I would NEVER do what the following (couple) of people have done: 1. An elderly man is hit and left for dead (it's on video), bystanders just watch him lie in the street, a scooter drives around him, people gather to look at him as if at a baseball game, and the one vehicle that witnessed the the hit and run does pull over only to drive away. HUH? 2. A 2 1/2 year old girl is is wandering the streets of Napa early in the morning, two people saw her (according to another article) and kept on going, they did report it, but didn't stop to help her. Absolutely APPALLING! How could anyone justify that? Well, duh, she is now another hit and run statistic. If people don't stop to help a toddler then when do we get involved? And, NO It doesn't matter why she was out there, or whose fault it was she was at the mercy of anyone who may have seen her while still alive, and nope, once again too busy... 3. A 23 year old distraught man climbs onto the ledge of the Rowland Blvd. over-crossing and No. 101 traffic is halted for an hour. Yes, that's annoying I suppose, but how about compassion for him? Oh no, we are all too concerned that our day has been disrupted to care about someone who is in distress. Forget that he has a family that loves him, or that he's probably battling mental illness, or is even psychotic from meth. "We" are much more important! Our daily agendas now trump humanity?  What's even more alarming to me is the comments that I've read about these stories and how those who do feel compassion for others in today's world supposedly have a mental disorder called "liberalism." It is all so sick, and disgusting. We should all be truly frightened that your fellow man/woman would rather run you over instead of stopping to help you since they need to get home and do what? Watch TV? 78 Year Old Man-Hit and Run:www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24987181#24987181Toddler Killed-Hit and Run in Napa:www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2008/06/01/news/local/doc4841e0f934a49871814120.txtDistraught Man on Freeway Overpass:www.marinij.com/novato/ci_9459850 |
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Post by subdjoe on Jun 5, 2008 16:08:31 GMT -5
I hear ya', JMO. I think there are two things working.
First is the litiginous nature of our society - do something, anything, and you might get sued if everything doesn't turn out perfect.
Second , and I think this is the really big one, is that we have become a society of professional victims and are constantly taught that we are unable to deal with any sort of emergency and that the State will always be there to step in and take care of everyone.
And I lay the blame for this right on the doorstep of our so-called 'progressive' politicians and the school industry. They are hard at work making sure that everyone is protected from every possible unpleasantness and learns early to rely on an all powerful State for everything.
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Post by JustMyOpinion on Jun 5, 2008 20:49:26 GMT -5
subdjoe, I agree that is a portion of the problem.
It seems that people are becoming apathetic at best when it comes to the weaker segment of society. It's almost as if one is considered to be an idiot, sucker, bleeding heart, liberal etc. if you happen to have compassion for those who struggle. I think society as a whole is becoming too isolated, we're all tucked away in our homes with our hi-tech electronic toys while the world passes us by.
If I saw a toddler roaming the streets, in a store, or anywhere unattended, I would stop immediately to either find the parents (I have actually done that before), or in the case of the Napa girl call the police. I can't even begin to fathom how any human with half a brain, and any amount of moral compass could leave her alone.
If someone is in immediate need I don't think about lawsuits, I think about getting them help ASAP. No, I don't try to save the world, but doing a small deed to change another's path is one of the most rewarding aspects to life, and if we all did one kind act for another on a semi-regular basis this world would be a better place.
Call me old-fashioned I guess...
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Post by The New Guy on Jun 5, 2008 20:57:31 GMT -5
a few years ago i was driving home from work along pet hill road. it was dusk and even though there were several cars in front of me i could see a big dust cloud up ahead that suddenly slowed traffic. as i approached i could see that a vehicle had gone off the road, into the ditch and back out only to ram into a wooden fence and telephone pole. 4 or 5 cars ahead of me did some quick rubbernecking and then drove on. i pulled over to see what i could do. a young woman was behind the wheel shocked, dazed, and confused but conscious and remarkably had only minor injuries. a 1x6 plank from the fence pierced the windshield and missed going through her skull by an inch or so. while waiting for CHP to arrive i couldn't help noticing all the traffic going by and not one sole ever stopped. sad, but true.
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Post by JustMyOpinion on Jun 5, 2008 21:07:11 GMT -5
TNG, good for you!! Imagine if she didn't survive and you were either the last person to be there for her while she spoke her last words to be delivered to her family, or she died without anyone there while taking her last breath. I think the latter is unacceptable. Don't people think beyond "damn, glad that wasn't me, I'd better hurry before the traffic backs up?"
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Post by subdjoe on Jun 5, 2008 21:12:50 GMT -5
I agree. At least keep the toddler in sight and stay on the phone with the police until they arrive. Or, stay on the phone while you get the kid to safety. But, yeah, WE are the first responders. Not LEOs, not the fire dept. the honest, ordinary citizen is usually the first on the scene. And there is a moral obligation to assist.
I've stopped at a number of accidents myself. Also, if someone in a parking lot seems to be having trouble, I'll see if there is any way that I can help.
If I am on the road and see that there are people giving aid/assistnce, and it seems as if the situation is in hand, I won't stop. If it looks like they need another person for some reason, I will. The one that comes to mind was a rear ender westbound on the Todd Road overpass, just a bit west of mid-span.
I got to the east side, pulled over, started directing traffic as best I could, and got coordinated with someone on the west end. We were letting batches through and trying to not let it back up too badly. CHP got there after about 10 min. I stayed there directing traffic for another half hour or so.
I am going to mention here that I have rarely seen a car with green peace, rainbow, kpfa, peace at any cost, or assorted other sticker of that same political bent stop and the drivers assisting. Seen plenty of them with NRA, SASS, various military (mostly USMC) stickers stopped to give aid. Kind of tells you something, doesn't it?
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Post by Mink on Jun 5, 2008 23:25:26 GMT -5
It is sad to watch the video of the man being hit. I'm wondering who video taped it instead of calling 911.....do something to help!
All these cases mentioned shows how numb our society has gotten, yet the majority have cell phones.
I took a CPR class a few years ago and was surprised how before you can perform help, you are legally bound to ask if the person will allow you to help. I just couldn't believe it, but I guess this is an example of our sue happy society.
This January my car was stuck at a grocery store exit after work, 5:00 traffic on a Friday. The rain was pounding hard and it was getting dark. People honked at me and when they figured I was stalled, they went around. Maybe 15-20 went by (it seemed like hours), my arm was soaked and the rain/wind blew inside the car that my whole body was drenched. I watched as people stared as they went by. Finally a young, strong gentleman asked if I needed help, offered to push me out of the exit and even offered to come back and give me a jump after he went to the bank. As he pushed, another man came to help him.
I didn't need his help afterwards. I just needed to get out of the exit, but I am forever grateful for this gesture and keep him in my prayers for being a good citizen. Although my life wasn't in danger, I needed a hand.
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Post by bolverk on Jun 6, 2008 14:56:31 GMT -5
It is sad to watch the video of the man being hit. I'm wondering who video taped it instead of calling 911.....do something to help! Wow, you mean you could not tell that the video was taken from a stationary, unmanned camera? That explains a lot to me. |
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Post by bolverk on Jun 6, 2008 15:06:25 GMT -5
The little girl was the most heart breaking. The other two put themselves into the situations. The old man jay walked into traffic that had a green light, though two cars did cross a double yellow, and the one appeared to almost intentionally hit the guy.
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Post by JustMyOpinion on Jun 6, 2008 21:27:15 GMT -5
subdjoe, you're right if someone else has stopped no need to get involved. This last winter we witnessed an older woman run a red light and smash into the side of a young woman's Accord. It never occurred to me to leave, I pulled over immediately since we witnessed the whole thing. The police came, I gave them my personal information and a couple of weeks later the victims insurance company called and I verified the other driver was at fault. It didn't cost me anything but a little bit of time. The young woman was shaking and in disbelief, but fortunately she was ok, her car didn't do as well however.
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Post by JustMyOpinion on Jun 6, 2008 21:33:20 GMT -5
Mink, your situation sounds really nerve-wracking. How nice that the young man helped you, this is a good example of "Pay it Forward."
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Post by JustMyOpinion on Jun 6, 2008 21:44:15 GMT -5
Bolverk, yes, the the death of the little girl was the saddest for sure! Regarding the old man I agree he was careless, but the drivers were negligent, and had NO sense of accountability. To add insult to injury people let him lie in the street alone, and no one took the initiative to make sure he didn't get run over. It made me nervous to watch the traffic all around him wondering if he was going to get it again.
I realize the young man created his own situation, but he obviously wasn't in his right mind, and many posters were more concerned about getting somewhere than accepting that this man potentially could've ended it right then and there. And, had he done himself in the loss of his life would've been felt by his family, friends etc. Imagine if that was your child perched up there...
Compassion doesn't cost us much, and one never knows when they might be at the mercy of others.
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What's even more alarming to me is the comments that I've read about these stories and how those who do feel compassion for others in today's world supposedly have a mental disorder called "liberalism." It is all so sick, and disgusting. We should all be truly frightened that your fellow man/woman would rather run you over instead of stopping to help you since they need to get home and do what? Watch TV? 
