[SLB]

Just teh tip of the iceberg on how America of 2008 is so different from the America the founding fathers had in mind.

[Man50D]

The issue is being discussed on a local Hartford radio station right now. The radio talk show host was just talking about a former Hartford politician who was mugged last week by several thugs while riding his bicycle. He's in the hospital with serious injuries. It was reported a couple of days ago he may need brain surgery.

The state police have been sent in the past to Hartford to patrol the streets for several moths until order is restored to the point where the city police can handle the situation. Governor Jodi Rell has offered the same thing to Mayor Eddie Perez again. One major problem is 40% of those in Hartford who are on welfare are also dealing drugs so they are not about to work with police to solve any crimes. The bottom line is nothing will change until people in the neighborhoods start getting involved by reporting crimes.

[Condor51]

No one gave 'aide' because of scum bag lawyers like John Edwards suing the Good Samaritans who try to help - period.

Just touching an injured person can lose you your house. So sorry, but it just ain't worth it.

[sitetest]

For those who seem to think that this is a harbinger of a moral decline in America, I assert that this incident is not evidence of that decline (not that the decline may not be happening).

Remember Kitty Genovese.

[Kay Ludlow]

I think this is the result of 50 years of public school indoctrination - to trust the authorities,to follow quietly, to avoid confrontation at all costs.

I’ve stopped to help people, but only in these situations where there are a lot of people around. There’s been too much crime committed by those feigning needing help for me to be comfortable along the road in the more isolated areas. I’ll call 911 though...

[bimbo]

Fifty years of Advancing Marxism in a world where the Government is powerful and important - where people are merely useful tools of the State - and you expect concern for an “individual?” Individuals no longer have rights and are not important ... this victims “Group” is now the important entity.

[McLynnan]

I can’t imagine this man’s terror now that we know he was motionless because he was paralyzed. Absolutely helpless to move himself out of further harm’s way. You have to be without a soul to drive/walk by and ignore him.

[Jabba the Nutt]

No collective entity has morality, only individuals have morality. So, saying ‘America has no morality’ makes no sense.

[PAR35]

Not one person called 9ll.

A falsehood apparently started by the police department.

911 calls were made in widely viewed hit-and-run
"City officials later acknowledged that police received four 911 calls."

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/993582,CST-NWS-hit07.article

[humblegunner]

It’s a good argument for staying out of the street.

[Wings-n-Wind]

I do not disagree with the underlying premise...

But in the interest of accuracy:
There were four(4) nearly simultaneous 911 cell calls...

[Balding_Eagle]

This was talked about on a drive time radio show in Denver. Typical hand wringing stuff, much like the columnist.

It stopped when the third caller began with “This is a result of the law of unintended consequences.”

He went on to relate how he helped someone injured at a ball game, and then spent the next months in court fighting THE GUY HE HELPED who claimed that what he did unnecessarily put his life at risk. Not actually hurt, mind you, but could have been!

He got off, after spending a bunch of money and time, under CO Good Samaritan law.

[nicola_tesla]

You can also blame the lawyers.

[count-your-change]

Why should a society that defends as a constitutional right the murder of a child while abirthing trouble its self over a lack of human kindness toward a 78 year old?
The one is certainly consistent with the other.

[McGruff]

Jeez. Talk about generalizing. Don’t blame the whole country for what some animals in my state did.

[tutstar]

gnip...

[Voltage]

I bet if this was a dog everyone would have run to the animals aid calling the inhumane society for help.

That is because dogs don't have lawyers...yet!

[Hoodlum91]

“Not one person called 9ll.”

Well, that’s a lie. They reported four 911 calls within a mintue of the accident.

The founding fathers also didn’t have trial lawyers. If we want to see why people are hesitant to do anything, we can look directly at the possibility of being sued for all you’re wortha dn then some.

[Revolting cat!]

Oh, Layla, I get down on my knees, gag me with a spoon, please!

Shocked, shocked, aren't we all shocked, lawsuit happy shocked! You're a man wanting to help a lost child at a shopping mall. Next thing you know, you're a "registered sexual offender". (They've got 53,000 of those in the sex obsessed capital of pornography, California.)

Would anyone of us try to help the man?

[Stentor]

Hartford Demographics

[upsdriver]

Wouldn’t happen around here. If you have a flat tire, people will stop to see if they can be of help. Sure glad I don’t live in Hartford.