General Discussion

milestogo

(18,274 posts)

20. I've watched some westerns set in 19th century America

Thu Dec 5, 2024, 02:21 PM

Dec 5

and sometimes the whole town would go after a person who had committed a murder. Usually they got it right, but in those days it just wasn't a very tight system. I can definitely see how people got caught up in vigilantism, because the system of laws just wasn't workable yet.

I'm not saying its workable now. But surely there are more options than stalking someone and gunning them down. Because once it starts, this kind of behavior keeps spreading and never ends.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Blue_Tires LeftInTX

44 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

So is vigilantism now the preferred way of making a statement or enacting change? [View all] milestogo Dec 5 OP

One person does this, you assume it's widespread? leftstreet Dec 5 #1

It seems to be popular here on DU. milestogo Dec 5 #2

It's hugely "popular" across most social media right now leftstreet Dec 5 #7

Are you saying you're seeing lots of DUers going out and shooting people? Do tell. Otherwise, if you're Scrivener7 Dec 5 #23

From my perspective it is shockingly popular here at DU Redleg Dec 5 #24

American judges have made it clear that the law does not apply to rich white males. Irish_Dem Dec 5 #3

Preferred? No. Understandable? Yes, IMO. Happy Hoosier Dec 5 #4

Who said that? BannonsLiver Dec 5 #5

Boo-fucking-hoo. Coventina Dec 5 #6

I would like to say no sarisataka Dec 5 #8

Is jailing those that can't pay their medical debt the preferred method of collection? tenderfoot Dec 5 #9

Who said that? BTW, this will change nothing with that corporation. themaguffin Dec 5 #10

one isolated event equals preferred way? prodigitalson Dec 5 #11

Understanding and empathizing with somebody's motives is not the same as endorsing their actions. Voltaire2 Dec 5 #12

I think a number of us are feeling some empathy. yardwork Dec 5 #35

the 'system' is broken. It isn't working for a lot of people. Voltaire2 Dec 5 #36

That is becoming more and more apparent. yardwork Dec 5 #40

People are getting fed up with the bullshit. BlueTsunami2018 Dec 5 #13

Violence is the last resort of the incompetent. Isaac Asimov Ping Tung Dec 5 #14

This message was self-deleted by its author onecaliberal Dec 5 #31

Asimov was a serial sexual harasser so I'm not sure everyone holds him in the same regard as you do. BannonsLiver Dec 5 #32

Did he go to trial? Ping Tung Dec 5 #38

""Violence is the language of the unheard." - MLK, Jr. intheflow Dec 5 #42

Probably a last resort for a few that feel powerless to change things any other way. nt 2 Meow Momma Dec 5 #15

I agree. But, his act Will save no lives. The CEO will be replaced by another moneymaker. Ping Tung Dec 5 #39

Appears so. Maybe the government ought to get it's act together and enact a viable healthcare system Silent Type Dec 5 #16

People kill people that they're made at all the time... Think. Again. Dec 5 #17

Don't mistake enjoying a little Schadenfreude for support for vigilantism LearnedHand Dec 5 #18

First of all, you're 100% correct Blue_Tires Dec 5 #19

I've watched some westerns set in 19th century America milestogo Dec 5 #20

I'm not disagreeing with you Blue_Tires Dec 5 #22

No one here is advocating for vigilantism LearnedHand Dec 5 #30

Its time to acknowledge we are in a fight and stop this moral high ground crap Asa13 Dec 5 #21

Nothing else seems to work. alarimer Dec 5 #25

I've not read anyone condoning murder. CrispyQ Dec 5 #26

Lesson from history: The attempted murder of Henry Clay Frick DBoon Dec 5 #27

The dead man made deliberate decisions that killed a lot of people on the daily. onecaliberal Dec 5 #28

Broad-brush straw man argument. Basso8vb Dec 5 #29

Rich Man, Poor Man Deep State Witch Dec 5 #33

Not the "preferred" way, but it appears to be electorally beneficial to Retrumplicans maxrandb Dec 5 #34

Being happy someone is dead Trenzalore Dec 5 #37

The dead man made life choices also. Conjuay Dec 5 #41

It's ok to be indiffferent to vigilantism (or even pleased) if you think the person was bad Bonx Dec 5 #43

ANOTHER thread about this? nt GenThePerservering Dec 5 #44