h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Bernie Goetz - The Subway Vigilante - A2161946
Author: axis42 - U550451

Hello,

I wrote this entry for a group project at A2083844. I haven't heard from the project's cooridnator since I wrote it, but I like the entry and thought it might be good for my first submission to Peer Review.

I am looking forward to comments!
Thanks!
Charlie

Interesting.
Perhaps a trifle sparse ?
What was his employment ?
How did the press treat him ?
Was his jail sentence covered by his time on remand ?

I feel that this is a good start; but, like the other respondor, I feel that there are some details missing.

What kind of money he made may seem incidental, but relates to an award of $43 million.

He claimed to have been mugged on previous occasions; it would be nice to know how many times, and if they were reported.

Did the attackers have previous records of mugging, or of panhandling?

What, if anything, of the $43 million did Cabbey ever receive?

I'm glad that you tried to stay reasonably objective on the matter of right-or-wrong; but I don't think that many people would consider being approached by four youths with a "sharpened" screwdriver to be "asking" for quarters. One of a group of four could go over to someone and panhandle; the whole group is sheer intimidation.

Perhaps you could mention that the self-defense plea was not in defense of the $5. The plea of self defense is only valid if you have reason to believe that your life is in imminent danger.

I don't know if I would have shot them, but I would have been in fear of my health, if not my life.

Frankly, I think that anyone who tries to forcibly rob another deserves anything that happens to them except success. Those who feel they can prey upon others simply because they are bigger, weaponed, or in numbers, get no pity from me.

**From the co-ordinator of the project at A2083844**

Hi axis and all.

My original plan was to compile all the entries for this project myself; that's why I requested people not to put them into PR on the title page.

If you want it to be part of the project can you please take it out of PR? If not, I can't very well make you take it out, so I'll link to it when I compile the particular entry. Your choice.

B

My bad. I didn't know that.
It's out.
c

OK. I'll add it to my shortlist of project entries. I'll let you know when it gets incorporated into something bigger.

B

When you says "It's out", axis42, do you mean that the entry has been removed from Peer Review?

Cus... er... it's still in Peer Review at the moment.


Geggs

A couple of quick comments.

In the first paragraph, there seems to be some confusion over whether there were three or four youths involved. Also, the word "subway" is capitalized when it probably shouldn't be.

Cheers!

I know that I posted to this thread previously, but it has suddenly occurred to me how pejorative is the use of the word 'Vigilante' in the title. It carries a negative connotation that is unwarranted.

A vigilante is a volunteer who joins others in suppressing and punishing crimes. This was not the case for Goetz, and it is unfair to paint him with that brush.

He seems to have been a frightened multi-occasion victim who chose to protect himself in an extreme way (right or not). It us not true that he organized with others; rather he planned to be ready to defend himself.

Think and say what you like about his motives and his choices; but he doesn't fall under the definition of vigilante.

Hi MB,

I don't know if you've changed your mind about using the Goetz entry somewhere, but I just wanted to be sure that you noted my objection to the word 'vigilante' as inaccurately used.

I also wanted to note that this piece is still in Peer Review, and I thought you two both decided that you didn't want it here.

Noted.

And true, but I don't have the power to take it out. Rest assured, if it is FM'ed, it will be used elsewhere though. The project is still very much underway (see my nickname )

B

axis42 appears to have Elvised, so I propose a move to the Flea Market, where Master B can have his wicked way with the entry.


Geggs

Seconded

Over to Master B I say then

I have the A-number on my list, and my wicked way is not an appropriate topic of discussion for this thread.

B

Should I go and find a thread where it is an appropriate topic of discussion then?




Geggs

Well that won't be hard to find

Are you saying that I am widely discussed around the site?



B

Yes you do have a talent for self promotion

Email sent.