hear-it-first | 06-17-2011 12:52 PM | Quote:
Originally Posted by Liquid_o2
(Post 7477641)
I want to get RS's take on this because me and a friend have been arguing about the riots.
He was one of the thousands who stayed downtown that night to watch and take it all in. He didn't do any vandalism at all, but he straight up told me that he needed to "experience it first hand" and the only way to be aware of what is happening is to be in the heart of the action.
So he was one of those people with his cellphone running around snapping pics and taking it all in which I think is completely idiotic from my standpoint because if it was people like him, the cops could have gotten to the true rioters A LOT faster.
When he was living in Toronto he took part of the G20 standoff as well and was in the thick of things.
While I understand that many people are claiming that they were downtown to take pictures of the rioters to turn into police, when does that become a bad excuse since their first admittance is they just wanted to be a part of it all?
Does it make a person an accomplice if they are simply standing and watching while other people are injured/stabbed etc. or property is damaged, just to experience it first hand like it is a form of entertainment?
Where do you draw the line? | I definitely see where you are coming at. The truth is, it is human nature to observe things, especially things that are novel, unique, or don't happen everyday. It just isn't easy for some people to just go home when they are in the mist of action. Just like how some of us just can't stop watching the riot on the news and TV, or even investigating and being part of the debate of this riot.
In short, the people who are watching crime happen as a form of entertainment are not an accomplice to any of those actions. It can be said to be immoral, but not illegal.
Certainly, the crowd of destruction outnumbers the people who opposes to riot. How many people are brave enough to step up? And how many riot opposes would it take to stop the violence or possibly prevent it? Would it even be possible? Just for thoughts.
PS: I personally feel ashamed for the people who take pictures, record fires and criminal acts taking place, not for the sake of obtaining evidence against rioters, but for the sake of "being there" and entertainment. |