Would You...

[The Little Guy]

Would you?

[Ultimater]

Hard to imagine me doing such a thing in the first place... Only thing I could possibly think-of is someone hiring a hit-man to get me and having to resort to self defense. Sadly in the US I think you still get jail time for self defense actions or worse... If I think they would judge fairly, whatever the situation, I'd turn myself in. However I think it already unfair how they make you swear on a bible in court. What happened to “no public religion”? How's it fair to force people to use a religious object from a religion that they probably don't even believe-in in court? Even the people that are of the same religion the bible version is written, is it fair to force religion down one's throat?
The liars will take the oath falsely and get more punishment in the world-to-come.
Even the one's that try their upright-best to tell the truth will most-probably break their oath from exaggeration. How can we force an oath upon a person unwillingly? Even more so without any initial proof against the defendant? "Prejustice" is all I can say.
I never liked the idea of man taking matters into his own hands, in any case. Do you call a person that killed in self defense innocent? If so, why do you give him jail time? What is the purpose of jail? Punishment for the guilty to teach them a lesson? Why would we send an innocent person that acted in self defense in there? Did they do anything wrong that they deserve punishment for? What could have they done better in their situation? Be killed? What, do I need a document labeled "License to Kill" so I can kill in self defense? Hmph! *Votes "no"*

[wamboid]

Ultimater, maybe I'm mistaken, but I thought you weren't from the US. Either way, here's a slight education on your remarks.

First of all, self defense is a very viable defense in the US. Like any other defense, it must be proven.

Second, your aren't required to swear on a Bible if you don't want to. One choice is not to swear on anything but to "Solemnly Affirm" that you will tell the truth. In any case, you are right, liars will still lie. Of course, lieing under oath is a crime with it's own punishment, unless you are the President lol.

[Ultimater]

Four years ago I left for Israel, stayed for 2 years and returned to the US in the year 2004. Ever since then I've been in the US, and ever before then I've also been in the US.
Lol, Bush could lie a munk into war.

[wamboid]

Actually, I wasn't referring to Bush. I don't actually consider him to be lieing technically. I think he is just stupid enough to really believe what he says. Much like in our world someone who continually claims that tables for layout is so much better than css, despite the evidence to the contrary. They aren't lieing, just wrong.

Remember "I did not have sx with that woman"? Total lie, although most men would deny it or make an excuse, even if caught in the act.

[KDLA]

Out of curiosity, what do you consider "horrible" for this question? Is it poisoning your neighbor's dog, committing adultery, killing your kids?

Self-defense isn't a "horrible" crime. It is something you do out of instinct, out of your desire to live. It is a reaction. A "horrible" crime is something you do to control your environment - making people listen, proving your worth, eliminating restrictive forces, etc. That's what makes it horrible - you're imposing your will onto someone else without consent, not allowing them the freedom to live their life.

I'd turn myself in. If I could recognize it was "horrible," then I'd know that what I did was bad, and deserves punishment. I couldn't live with the guilt of carrying a secret that changed the lives of others in such a negative fashion.

It's the people that don't recognize crimes as "horrible" you've really got to worry about! ;)

[The Little Guy]

Here is another related question:
If your friend committed a crime, would you turn them in?

Both of these questions relate to something along these lines of the word "horrible" crime:
- murder
- accidentally killing someone (driving, and not watching, you slowly merge into on coming traffic, and you swerve and so does the car coming towards you, and he/she drives off a small cliff to his/her death.)
- robbery/stealing
- Rape
- pedophile
- sexual harassment
- child pornography
- non-sexual harassment

[KDLA]

Those are pretty broad categories....

I'm not sure I'd rate a car accident with pre-meditated murder, with the exception of DUI. I mean, if I tripped on a stairwell, then caused someone to fall down the stairs, breaking their neck, I wouldn't consider that a horrible crime. It was horrible that it happened, but I wouldn't think I was horrible person for attempting to walk in the first place. Either when walking or driving, accidents happen.

2nd ?
First, I'd keep trying to convince them that they needed to turn themselves in, if not for the benefit of the victims, then for the benefit of a lesser sentence based on confession.

If that didn't work, I'd turn them in. Who's to say that I or someone I knew wouldn't be the next person hurt?

[pcthug]

I try to stick to the rule of never turning in a friend, however I might make an exception for the likes of child pornography.

[David Harrison]

I voted no, because if it's the sort of thing I'd turn myself in over, I wouldn't have done it in the first place.

The only possible reason I can see for doing something "horrible" and then turning myself in would be if it was for the greater good. Here's an extremely unrealistic example.Scientist: General, we have to launch the nuke now in order for it to deflect the meteor in time, otherwise it will destroy the Earth!

General: Very well, but dammit this better work.

Woman: No Please no, the evil Dr. Hitler-von-Frankenstein has tied my son to the rocket!!!

General: I'm sorry, I've got no choice. Launch the missile!

Woman: NOOOOOOO!

General (whispers): What have I done?

As for the second question, if I knew someone that had comitted a crime would I turn them in? It'd depend on how well I know them and what sort of crime it was. For example, if it was anything racially motivated then I'd turn them in no matter what, because I just can't stand prejudice and ignorence. If on the other hand it was a theft or a murder, then I don't know, it'd depend on the circumstances.

[LiLcRaZyFuZzY]

I voted no, because if it's the sort of thing I'd turn myself in over, I wouldn't have done it in the first place.

David, it could happen that you do something, and regret it later on.

As for the second question, if I knew someone that had comitted a crime would I turn them in? It'd depend on how well I know them and what sort of crime it was. For example, if it was anything racially motivated then I'd turn them in no matter what, because I just can't stand prejudice and ignorence. If on the other hand it was a theft or a murder, then I don't know, it'd depend on the circumstances.
Totally agree here
Same for rape, pedophily, etc.. i wouldn't consider them friends, and thus i would immediately turn them in

[LiLcRaZyFuZzY]

I wouldn't do a horrible crime anyway..
for me a horrible crime is the 2 stated in my previous post, random slaughter, slaughter for a stupid reason (as david said)

I don't consider targeted assassination to be a horrible crime, sure it's a crime, and i wouldn't do it unless i have a very good reason worth to spend the rest of my life in prison. And i really don't consider stealing to be a horrible crime.

[KDLA]

As for the second question, if I knew someone that had comitted a crime would I turn them in? It'd depend on how well I know them and what sort of crime it was. For example, if it was anything racially motivated then I'd turn them in no matter what, because I just can't stand prejudice and ignorence. If on the other hand it was a theft or a murder, then I don't know, it'd depend on the circumstances.

Does that go for gender motivated, too? Women are targeted for many crimes - rape, abuse, etc.

KDLA

[LiLcRaZyFuZzY]

Does that go for gender motivated, too? Women are targeted for many crimes - rape, abuse, etc.

KDLA
Does it really matter if it's a women or a man?

[KDLA]

Nah. I was just curious as to what distinctions are being made. All crime is based on prejudice and ignorance, and the resultant feeling of loss of control over one's environment. I thought it was interesting that "racially motivated" was what was cited when there are so many other crimes based on differences: age, sexuality, gender, religion, etc.

[David Harrison]

Well, there are many different forms of prejudice, but I cited racism as it is the most prominent form. Not all crimes are based on prejudice and/or ignorance though, sure some are, but there are many other motivations, personal gain being near the top of the list.

Gender motivated isn't the same as being prejudiced, and I wouldn't class rape or physical abuse as a crime commited in ignorance, on the contrary, the attacker would know exactly what they were doing.

[KDLA]

Most people steal not out of need, but from a feeling of entitlement. This misunderstanding of society seems, to me, a mark of ignorance. You're right that personal gain is the primary motivation, however it is ignorance of how to get things legitimately that spurs them to illegal means.

Physical abuse is the result of people being unable to handle anger and/or communicate what they need. It is a reaction to frustration with a situation. That's why most wife beaters go to "anger management" classes after conviction. They are ignorant of how to handle themselves or get what they want from society by any other means than physical. Somewhere along the line, they skipped the "class" on diplomacy and/or persuasive presentations.

As to rape, several studies have shown that a rape is an act of control, not something done out of physical desire. Violence against women is more common because of the predominant view by males that women are the "weaker" sex. That seems gender-based to me. But then, I'm speaking as a woman.

Fascinating subject, Little Guy. Thanks for bringing it up.

[wh666-666]

I would have to disagree with you KDLA. some people of both sex may only be able to communicate physically but that is not the only reason for violence in society. As for violence agaisnt women is not more common whatsoever and it annoys me how society is misinformed of this fact, voilence agaisnt men is far more common but because of several factors womens agression is hardly ever recorded unless very extreme and then even so punishments hardly ever inforced. But to answer the original question no i wouldnt turn myself in, but then id never commit a indecent crime with severe malice either, thats why i smoke like a train when im annoyed as an outlet.

[KDLA]

I agree with you - violence against men is prevalent. Violence, in general, is prevalent.

The faster society becomes, the harder it is for us to cope. How many commercials do you see that say you should feel this way, or you deserve that? We are fighting normal occurences in life - like depression, grieving, and aging; loss and gain - to achieve some utopian sense of order. We are striving for perfection with whiplash fervor but with slipshod ways. That creates an aggressive frustration that's hard for society to handle.

Also the commercialism, which has infested every aspect of American living, has fostered a sense of entitlement within the genetic strain. Instead of working hard to achieve material gain, many have the feeling they should have it as right -- divesting the achievement of privilege -- as part of the "American" way. It is this ever-present feeling of "keeping up with the Joneses" that drives some to crime.

It's a tiresome epidemic which - if people stopped watching TV, got up off their duffs, went outside and enjoyed life - could be curbed.

KDLA

[wh666-666]

Yea i totally know what you mean and agree with you there KDLA, and the UK isnt too far behind but were following in US footsteps in a mongrolite and chavonistic kinda way (cant believe chav is a word!).

Maybe im out of touch in todays society but when i was growing up a while ago we had more respect for people around us, well somewhat, and people had time for youngsters rather than fear nowadays. It really annoys me we live in a nanny state where especially youngsters can get away with criminal activities that we wouldnt dream of because some of us found pleasure in more simple things in life and grew to be geeky but somewhat well adjusted adults.

But the sad thing is some people of our generation are so dim there encouraging arnarchy in the future, like for one example the parents you see who give there kids food and drink in shops before paying for it (especially grapes) when its theft (especially weighed products) so what kind of example is that for a child when the parents may not be dangerous but are crinimals themselves!!?

[EricG1793]

Certainly I'd turn myself in. I wouldn't be able to live with the fact that I did something horrible and the fact that I knew that they would find me eventually. Besides, if I turned myself in, I'd probably get a lighter sentence.