On Shooting Taggers: Why Conservatives And Liberals Differ (Dennis Prager: Urban Scourge Alert)

Townhall.com ^ | 8/26/2008 | Dennis Prager

[goldstategop]

Why do conservatives and liberals differ on the urban scourge called graffiti - because conservatives believe society's concern for property says something about its moral condition. We call it the "broken window" theory of urban existence. That a broken window or defaced car leads to a disregard for public safety and promotes an indifference to human life. Liberals like Andrew Sullivan don't see the connection between tagging property and criminal assault upon innocent human beings. It exists.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Inyo-Mono]

To the conservative, graffiti is an assault on civilization; to the liberal, graffiti is the result of civilization's assault on those who paint the graffiti.

Right on the mark.

[goldstategop]

Graffiti is the pornography of the urban landscape. It defiles everything it touches and it destroys the beauty inherent in the highest works of Man. That is why conservatives are repelled by it.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Pelham]

“To which my answer is yes. I do. Not to kill. Not to kill. “

Dennis is still in touch with his inner liberal, although he is making progress. And it does appear that he is getting his ideas on shooting from movies.

[Mr. Mojo]

Indeed, increasingly those graffiti vandals do engage in violence. Citizens who so much as flash their headlights or yell at them to stop have been shot and sometimes murdered.

That's precisely why you never shoot to wound (as Dennis recommends), you shoot to stop.

[gigster]

The leftists have no respect of private property rights,
so graffiti is no concern to them, as private property owners obviously obtained their property by taking it from the Native Americans, the Oppressed,...Etc.,Ect....

[Redbob]

Dennis advocates shooting to wound?

Must be because shooting to sterilize requires so much skill...

[Pelham]

The buildings of north Orange County now look like they are afflicted with skin cancer. Just defacing the buildings Americans won’t deface anymore.

[goldstategop]

Liberals view the criminal as the victim of society. Conservatives view society as the victim of the criminal. That is the essence of the difference in the moral perception that colors the two philosophies view of the world.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Roccus]

'Dennis, do you think that this guy should have shot these people spray painting graffiti on his shop?' To which my answer is yes. I do. Not to kill. Not to kill. But if he shot them in the legs or in the arms...

Maybe he should just shoot the spray cans out of their hands. IMO, Mr. Prager is watchin' too much TV.

[goldstategop]

I don't believe one has the right to kill another human being to protect property. Under any circumstances. I do believe however, short of that, we are entitled to use all the reasonable force necessary to defend property.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Pelham]

Dennis grew up watching westerns where the hero could shoot the gun out of someone’s hand. That’s still his frame of reference for what is possible.

[CyberSpartacus]

If I ever catch one I’m going to take their can of paint and coat them with it head to toe. Then they can appreciate MY “Artwork”.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

you shoot to stop.


Yep.

[goldstategop]

You know my position and I suspect Dennis' is the same. Unlike liberals, we believe protecting property is just and right. No comment is needed for those who do get it.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Yosemitest]

Another piece of garbage to convert to worm food, shoot to kill!!!

[Pelham]

Do you recall the two older women who were shot and killed by taggers this last year, in two separate incidents? I won’t be out potting taggers myself, but I sure won’t be crying if someone else does. They’re urban terrorists destroying my town.

[umgud]

Hey, we could compromise and load up a goose gun with rock salt and apply it to their backsides.

[ctdonath2]

Why do conservatives and liberals differ on the urban scourge called graffiti

Because leftists don't believe in private property. If someone thinks there's a better use for something, then go right ahead and use it regardless of ownership.

shoot to wound

Terminally stupid non-sequitor. Full stop.

Shooting someone is an act of lethal force. If you shoot someone, you'd damn well better be ready for them to die as a consequence. This "shoot to wound" notion amounts to criminal disregard for human life. There is no body part "safe" to shoot.

Shooting someone over graffiti is STUPID. Go buy a bucket of paint and cover the stuff up; don't shoot the guy.

[Pelham]

If you do come across taggers you’d be well advised not to confront them. In southern California taggers have shot and killed ‘civilians’.