I'm singing in the rain... just singing in the rain...

[muse0fire]

We joke about disturbing news being the sign of the decline of civilization, but articles like this really do suggest to me a sadly backward swinging pendulum.

That, and Anthony Burgess was sadly prescient about a bit of the old ultra-violence:
"...There was nothing I hated more than to see a filthy old drunkie, a-howling away at the filthy songs

Comments

[intrepidrayne]

It's very true. If we would all try to help others, we would all be happier and the world would be better. I do try to do that. I sometimes get caught up in other things and lose sight of it. By other things, of course I mean myself. While I might not be overly religious anymore, I was raised in a religious home (not Christian) and that is where I was taught to try to make others happier and to not focus purely on self. It is hard to bring up morals and values without religion also being brought up. Certainly, it can be done. People get so bent out of shape about values. Which is silly really. Who doesn't want to live in a happier world

[intrepidrayne]

I somehow missed the article when I responded the first time. It was a very disturbing article. Frightening really. I don't understand why they would do that. I mean, homeless people are easy targets, but why in general would they do that??

[muse0fire]

Why is the question, indeed... and I'm afraid of the answer. I think it's because overall we've eliminated empathy as an emotion - it's all about SELF-empowerment, SELF-love, SELF-esteem... all of which are great, as long as they're also combined with regard for one's fellow human beings, and that part is sadly lacking, methinks.

Burgess' Prescience

[baldsug]

Not sure if you're aware but we did a stage adaptation of Clockwork Orange a few years back. About a month before we went into production a girl in Cobb County was gang raped by a group of total strangers in her apartment complex. Men who were walking by joined in. It was horrific

Re: Burgess' Prescience

[muse0fire]

I wasn't aware, but from everything I've heard about your company, I wish I'd seen it - sounds poignant and disturbing.

These kids need to be tried as adults and locked the hell away.

Normally I would argue that kids under 17 should NEVER be tried as an adult, because their brains just don't function the way an adult's brain does, and I'd rather try to rehab them while they're young, and hopefully set them on a better path.... but in cases of cold, cruel violence like this I'm starting to change my mind.

Re: Burgess' Prescience

[baldsug]

I'd tend to agree with you, not normally being so draconian but I do believe that there are certain inviolate rules and once you've crossed them, whether deliberately or by accident, those rules can no longer be enforced upon you by the rest of society. So those transgressors can no longer be allowed to continue as part of that society for the welfare of all concerned. I say that knowing full well that a day may come when I'll regret saying it, but it's how I feel right now.

[galbinus_caeli]

Love and morality are not exclusive property of a belief in god or a saviour

In many cases belief in a god is used as a foundation for intolerance and abuse of those who hold different beliefs.

Christians abuse Jews. Hindus abuse Moslems. Moslems abuse Deists. Sneeches with Stars abuse Sneeches without Stars.

Not to say that ALL believers of any religion use it to abuse members of another religion, but a significant minority of every major religion seem to feel the right to do so.

[intrepidrayne]

Just to add a bit. You don't have to be religious to abuse either. It's a human problem not a religious one. There are lots of people who are atheists who are wonderful people and lots of religious folk who don't try to enforce their religion on others.

[galbinus_caeli]

Very true. I was speaking of societies, and I could not think of a successful atheist culture to use as an example. (Don't say "soviet union", that was never a terribly successful culture.)

[galbinus_caeli]

Anonymous! What is this anonymous crap! That was ME all ME.

[fierce_rabbit]

Amen

[muse0fire]

I wish could say "no no it's not just Americans!", but it does seem endemic to "the American way of life", which is all about who gets the biggest toys... not a recipe for empathy and appreciation for others.

Regarding your comment on the cycle of veterans...
Newsweek did an article recently that highlighted the problems faced by veterans, and someone in the VA department made the comment that they couldn't ask for as much money in the budget as they knew they would need, because that would be admitting that the war will go on much longer and with way more casualties than Dubya had planned - so admitting they need more money would be an admission of failure by the administration. So the vets are just screwed, because of politics. Maddening.

[fierce_rabbit]

Insane....