What is wrong with this America ?

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   ahorsebackposted 12 years ago

   This guy , a president /CEO of a company , stands accused of  assaulting a child on a airline , using racial slurs , and even slapping the child   while he's sitting in his mothers lap ! Shocking , yes ! However , my question is this !  What is wrong with a plane load of people  that not one man stood up and mopped the floor with this mans face ?  I must be from another universe ! America where are your morals ?
   

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      Beth37posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It takes quite a bit to rile me. The things that ppl get upset about don't really seem to phase me, but when it comes to children or ppl being bullied, I turn into a mama bear. If I'd have been on that plane... that man wouldn't have.

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      Zelkiiroposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      America is full of spineless worms. Where've you been?

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   kathryn1000posted 12 years ago

   People are afraid to get involved...they think someone else like the air crew should do it...what was the famous case of rape and murder when many people heard the screaming bit not one rang the police...

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      Silva Hayesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That was the Kitty Genovese case . . . a terrible tragedy.

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   The Suburban Poetposted 12 years ago

   I'm pretty sure I would have said something at a minimum. I have a temper... that being said being on a plane may make people a bit uneasy these days to cause trouble even if it is coming to someone's rescue. This situation clearly required intervention...

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   Old Poolmanposted 12 years ago

   I'm sure that many of us have "enjoyed" a flight seated next to a mother with a screaming, crying, infant on her lap, and wished we were somewhere else, but we don't slap the child. 
   Sitting for hours in the cramped seats in economy class is a rare form of torture we willingly pay for.  I would guess this guy had been purchasing and enjoying several of those small but expensive bottles of booze they make available to we passengers.
   By the time this nut case slapped the child, it was too late for anyone to intervene and prevent this from happening.  If I read it correctly, this all happened quite quickly without a fuss to draw attention to what was about to happen.  I would assume he was arrested immediately upon exiting the aircraft, as much for his protection as for what he had done.  I'm also sure there were many male passengers on the plane who given a chance would have shown him the error of his ways.

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      ritsukakunxposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I'm sure the mother doesn't enjoy it any more than anyone else. In fact, probably less so, because she's responsible for the crying infant... that is infinitely more stressful than being a bystander.

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   Silva Hayesposted 12 years ago

   I just read an on-line news article that said passengers did intervene ... plus the guy is no longer employed ... not a smooth move for a 60-year-old facing retirement soon (although, in today's world, he probably got a huge severance since he was a CEO).  This is not his first drunken episode in public.  What an ugly story!  Hope the memory fades and the little boy doesn't suffer permanent emotional scars from being attacked by a stranger on a plane.

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   jandeeposted 12 years ago

   Weren't there any Women on the plane ? If I had been on that plane I would have been arrested for slapping HIS face ,did the Woman get any compensation from him or the airlaine I hope so,
   jandee

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      ritsukakunxposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      What does being a woman really have to do with anything? That is a bit sexist. Should be any instinct. Most people just don't want to get involved. I really don't see anything wrong with that. Those people would have probably end up slapped - what good does unneeded confrontation do? Obviously, authorities took care of it.

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   ahorsebackposted 12 years ago

   Well I think thats one of our cultures biggest problems today , "dont get involved , let someone else do it !" Although it would be worth getting arrested for, to see his face !

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      Sarra Garrettposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You are correct ahorseman.  The 'don't get involved' syndrome sucks!  That's why I tell women to yell 'FIRE' if they are being accosted.  Everyone loves a good fire and will come running out of the bushes.  I'm sorry, if I was the mother or even a passenger on the plan, that guy would be eating the floor of the plane.  Yes, it would be worth getting arrested just to see his face.  I'd be sayin "yup I did that! and I'm a girl". 
      
      I have never hesitated in coming to the aid of someone whether it be a vehicle accident I saw on the highway or someone who dropped a piece of paper.  The world has gone to hell in a handbasket and no body cares anymore.

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   SpanStarposted 12 years ago

   Asking the question "America Where Is Your Morals?" Is a good question to ask however there is a bigger issue here that I can see.
   
   People may want to get involved but laws have changed such that we have hampered and tied the hands of those who would try to make a difference for example it's been a while back but I read that was a law which said "If you were to wake up in the middle of the night and saw a person standing over your bed before you can take any action you need to find out why they are there."
   
   * I also read if someone was attacking you and you should happen to survived that attack and seeing them walk away means you cannot take any action because according to the law you when no longer in danger.
   
   * If someone has broken into your home and in the process hurt themselves they can sue you.
   
   I believe people are hesitant about getting involved because they just might be the one in jail trying to do the right thing.

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   Astra Nomikposted 12 years ago

   Under American and most Western laws, it is a criminal offense to strike a child or assault a child or minor. Perhaps he is used to that behavior or perhaps comes from an abusive background. More to the point, what did the airline do to protect this young child from racial abuse, since a racial slur was used on the child by the man, according to the kid's parents.
   
   Somehow, I think this little kid will get a whopping insurance claim against either the man or the airline or both. Who insure the airline I wonder?

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    adorablebabyposted 12 years ago

    first off. This applies to everyone not just american.
    we are all actually "human race"
    
    I've seen dumb things done in all different culture and judging by the rate we are all equal

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    Gypsy Rose Leeposted 12 years ago

    Unfortunately that's one of the things that are gravely wrong in this world. People have become so overwhelmed with their own problems that they have turned a deaf ear to everything else and one of these days things can end quite badly. I would have been ready to sucker punch that horrid man. A child, my goodness!!! And the mother - she should of bashed him one. At least with her pocketbook as it happens in the movies.

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    ahorsebackposted 12 years ago

    I probably would have asked everyone to sit down , buckle up , and then opened the door and thrown  a full grown rich child abuser out into the clouds ! lol

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    healthyfitnessposted 12 years ago

    You speak of morals, but then endorse violence. I don't understand.

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    Sonya-Artisposted 12 years ago

    I used this topic during a recent speaking engagement.  It is easy to say what we would have done, if only we were there, but the overwhelming response from the majority of the attendees at the event echos several of the ones here;  People do not want to get involved.

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    The Suburban Poetposted 12 years ago

    I know... I can just imagine what would have happened had I jumped out of my chair and started pounding on the guy; or getting in his face and provoking a loud argument... remember you're on a plane. It could have become very ugly. The fact is he was arrested and his life is screwed.... somebody got involved that's for sure....

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    ahorsebackposted 12 years ago

    We should ask ourselves people , which IS best , Dont ruffle any feathers put your head down and turn your eyes away to avoid the scene , after all ,thats just what our modern culture is best at ! Or stand up for something ! A helpless woman  and a child being  assualted by a drunk ?  If you really have to make a choice like turning your head away to avoid the confrontation ! I don't want to be sitting near you !

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    PrettyPantherposted 12 years ago

    It is my experience that those who boast the loudest about what they would have done in a situation like this are the ones least likely to help when an actual situation arises.
    
    That said, a man did intervene when he heard the derogatory name calling.

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    ahorsebackposted 12 years ago

    I guess thats meant for me Pretty !  I can only say that some people stand up for somethings while the rest fall for anything !.....:-}

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    jandeeposted 12 years ago

    Strange but maybe our thoughts bring things on-re.this hub- Anyway 7pm last night I walked to the local petrol station to put my lottery ticket on, as I turned from the pavement and walked across the forecourt I was almost killed by a mad driver . I stood by his car door and said "You might get me next time" Well the fury that came from that creep. He called me every foul name that has ever been thought of. I borrowed a pen and got his car reg. I went inside to put my lottery on (had spent half a day sussing out the correct winning numbers}The machine wouldn't take the ticket- that was bad enough but I now had the deranged madman walking at me ----God he was so ugly .I have never seen a human face so distorted as he carried on his abuse.  "You almost killed me " I managed to say. "WHEN HAS ALMOST BEEN A CRIME YOU B..........  He yelled.then he hurriedly left as customers came in-----The garage assistants were practically non-English speakers or so they appeared to be.  I am wondering now should I report it? It is all on camera from the garage or just leave it be . Am I a coward if I don;t report it ?  He probably has no licence and the next time he might kill someone who isn't able to jump away.

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       Old Poolmanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       That is a hard call to make since the original incident was most likely not recorded on camera.  You would no doubt have to give your name and address if you file a complaint.  Do you want this nut case having that information?  Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor.

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          John Holdenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Why should the nut case have Jandee's name and address?
          
          The police in the UK are not in the habit of handing out that information.

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             Old Poolmanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             John, In America, the accused has the right to know who filed the compaint, I assumed it was the same over there.  My mistake.

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                John Holdenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                Eeek! No that information is withheld for the very reason that it might invite unwelcome attention.

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                   whoisitposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                   Or because they don't really have a complainant!

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                      John Holdenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                      Then absolutely nothing would happen if there was no complainant!

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                         whoisitposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                         Really, how would you know if you are not allowed to confront your accuser?

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                            John Holdenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                            We have these things called courts where accusers can be fully confronted and challenged.

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                               whoisitposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                               We have this thing called transparency and have a RIGHT to know who is accusing us.

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                                  John Holdenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                  Unless of course you aren't a citizen of the USA!
                                  
                                  What about in, say, a rape case. Do you think it right that almost the first thing the police should do is inform the accused of the complaint?

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                                     whoisitposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                     Why would a non citizen benefit from our rights? Well, the answer is they do!
                                     
                                     "Do you think it right that almost the first thing the police should do is inform the accused of the complaint?"
                                     
                                     Yes I do, how else would an investigation go forward? Arrest them and then see if they violated their civil rights? Genius!!
                                     
                                     They don't give out the personal information of the victim John, but they do let the accused know there is actually a complainant.

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                                        John Holdenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                        But that's the whole point, you  were arguing that the accused should be given details of the complainant!
                                        
                                        Read OldPoolman's advice to Jandee, " Do you want this nut case having that information? "

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                                        John Holdenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                        All those people sitting in Guantanamo Bay are benefiting from "rights" are they?

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                                           whoisitposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                           Are they in America?

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                                              John Holdenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                              My point exactly, they are being held by the USA without any possibility of a fair trial on land occupied by a country viewed as an enemy by the USA. 
                                              
                                              You couldn't get a more flagrant abuse of power than that.
                                              
                                              Edited to add that US bases in the UK are considered to be US territory.

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                                                 whoisitposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                                 We are not talking about terrorists being held, we are talking about rights in America as opposed to Britain. If you can't stay on topic then don't post to me.

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                                                    John Holdenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                                    I was talking about rights, or lack of them, in the USA.
                                                    Remember, alleged terrorists. not proven until they've been tried in open cour which will never happen.
                                                    .
                                                    Rights in America differ greatly from country to country, I doubt if the rights in Canada are any thing like the rights in Bolivia.

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                                                       whoisitposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                                       You don't seem to know what you are talking about.
                                                       
                                                       You said
                                                       "Rights in America differ greatly from country to country"
                                                       I say
                                                       What? That doesn't make any sense at all. If you are being held in the United States you will receive the same rights as a U.S. citizen! If you are held in Bolivia I don't know what you will get nor do I care!

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                                                          John Holdenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                                          America and the USA are not the same.
                                                          You would not expect to be charged in Canada or Bolivia under the laws of the USA.
                                                          
                                                          My point about US bases in the UK was purely in response to your claim that if prisoners were not held on US soil rights didn't apply to them.

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                                                             whoisitposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                                             You should really specify North America/South America, just saying America leads one to think of the United States of America!

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                                                                John Holdenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                                                But Canada is North America!

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    ahorsebackposted 12 years ago

    Unfortunately , There are standers -by and there are those who act !  I understand fear however , wouldn't it be better to always try to do the right thing !  I not only would report the jerk but problaby get revenge !

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    jandeeposted 12 years ago

    Thanks all,
    I am presently sitting at home waiting for a knock on the door from a Policeman/woman . Thanks all for your input on helping me decide----------Horseback I have reported the jerk,
    best from jandee

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    ahorsebackposted 12 years ago

    Awesome Jandee, you've done the right thing ! Its a idiot that will almost kill someone and then blame you , Be strong !  Be vigilant ! You've done the right thing!

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    SpanStarposted 12 years ago

    It would appear that in a lot of cases America has consistently worked towards tying the hands of its people. I have no doubt that if someone in that airplane thought about rectifying the situation through confrontation with this person they as the good Samaritan would be the one facing jail time.
    
    Even justice from where I'm sitting seems to be only an idea because generally we are only focused on the letter of the law and if for example a murder weapon was found in your possession that clearly ties an individual to a specific crime justice system says if it was not properly found then it has no place in our justice system.

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