[George - the Other]

In my opinion, it's easy to editorialize a supposedly "superior" way of dealing with the situation that took place, but they weren't there. They weren't the ones victimized. They weren't assaulted.

Whenever there is a murder or serious crime, civic leaders and the police tell us the way to reduce it is to get involved.

However, this editorial wants the citizens of Baltimore to assume the role of helpless victims, that it wants them to be fearful, to run, cower and hide, while they wait for the police, which you have already written about being overburdened as it is, to hopefully show up in time and do "something."

[RonF]

The police are authorized and trained to protect your life and property. You are responsible for protecting your life and property. There's a difference. If you can leave it to the police then it's well to do so. But when seconds count, the police are only minutes away. Only you can decide what kind of threat an intruder represents and what measures are necessary and appropriate to defend your life.

I don't believe that the use of deadly force to protect property is appropriate. But it's not unreasonable for someone who is at home when their home is broken into to think that their life may be in danger. Having to have taken a life is not something to celebrate, it's true. But that does not mean that it was wrong to do.

[Kartographer]

The victim could have easily allowed the thief to take the property, after all its only things and a human life is worth more than things. In fact the victim could have taken a beating after all wants a little pain, possible injury and/or permanent disability next to the taking of a human life? Why should the victim hold his life so much more precious than the thief's life? Clear the victim is a hater and in need of psychological help. (SARC)

Most liberals are unable to understand as much as we don't like to believe it: "There's, many a man alive no more value than a dead dog." Shaara-'The Killer Angels'

[bikerman]

maybe he should have used a cross cut Carpenter's saw.

[Centurion2000]

Sword killing no cause for cheers>

Citizens killing criminals is always a reason to celebrate.

Gun, sword, sledgehammer, wood chipper, chain saw, swizzle sticks, 220, 221 .... whatever it takes.

[ejonesie22]

Outlaw swords and only out laws will have swords...

And Pirates....

Ninjas...

The odd Knight...

And a few students...

[La Lydia]

The Baltimore Sun takes a firm stance on the side of the villains. No, they weren’t there. No, their lives weren’t on the line. This is a textbook example of why most of Baltimore is such a disgusting hell hole of a place. The evil has taken over the city, and it runs the newspaper.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

I'm amazed by these curs (like mr. baltimore sun editorialist) who fantasize about being able to flee from danger and cower in their nice safe little hiding place when faced with a threat.

The natural instinct of any human is to stand and fight when faced with imminent risk of harm rather than turn and show his back to someone who plans mischief. It's why we have adrenaline, to give us an edge when endangered.

Of course I did say any “human”, some of these cowards would quickly fail the test for humanity.

[knarf]

Any up close death is re-lived by the survivor forever.

Just think you live miles from anywhere, late for work, flat tire, no spare, no one to call, and you'll be fired if you miss today.

Got enough to think about?

Leave the guy alone.

Y'dun good, buddy-boy.

[La Lydia]

The writer is one of the smug pukes at this link:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/bal-edboardbios,0,4450844.html

[techcor]

must now spend the rest of his life grappling with the anguish and remorse of having snuffed out another's life.

He wouldn't if liberal/progressives like the author of this crap didn't try to make victims feel guilty for doing justice. If more people gave the guy an understanding pat on the back type reaction, the guy who used the sword (the actual victim in this scenario) wouldn't spend the rest of his life feeling anguish. But that wouldn't play well in the liberal/progressive world would it?

[Hacklehead]

According to the editorial, the homeowner was responsible for this incident because he didnt wait for the police. The burglar was just a non-sympathetic victim who didnt deserve to die by sword. Apparently the author doesnt understand the risks of burglary.

[ks_shooter]

“Was protecting some possessions worth precipitating an event that will change the rest of his life?”

A homeowner walking anywhere on his property has not “precipitated” anything. The idiot that attacks a man carrying a sword in his own house has done the “precipitating”.

Additionally, the moron writing the article assumes facts not in evidence. How does he know the man was only after property? Maybe his intent was to kill for the shear joy of it.

A man that breaks into your house likely knows quite a bit about you. Based upon the neighborhood that you are in and what your house looks like. He may even have cased your house for days. He has the chance to prepare for the encounter that he chooses to make. The home owner likely knows nothing about the intruder. Under such circumstances a person who does not assume the worst, may not survive.

[Above My Pay Grade]

>>>>The burglar, Donald D. Rice, wouldn’t ordinarily deserve much sympathy. He was a career criminal with a long record of thefts. He had just gotten out of prison the previous Saturday after serving six months for a conviction in Baltimore County. By all accounts he was neither an admirable character nor an innocent victim.<<<

So why give him any sympathy? If the brave, young would be victim had not ended his career as a criminal, Rice might have killed a truly innocent person someday.

>>>Was protecting some possessions worth precipitating an event that will change the rest of his life? We think not.<<<

You could apply the same logic to calling the cops. What if a cop was forced to shoot and kill the career criminal? Would’t that affect the cop for the rest of his life?

I guess we should simply let the thugs take whatever they want. If they want to steal our possessions, let them have them. If they want to rape our wives and daughters, we must allow them to. We can’t risk a confrontation that might leave a predator dead, and “change the rest of the life” of the innocent man who killed him. /sarc

[Rinnwald]

Do not try this at home with the sword you bought at the corner grocery.

This was probably a quality repro.

-or, he picked it up while bumming around 16th century Japan. There can be only one.

One of what, they never say. Although, apparently, Clan MacLeod has two of them (three if you count the animated series).

[BJClinton]

“But even burglars don’t deserve to be killed with a razor-sharp sword”

See, that’s where you and I disagree Mr. Editorializer.

[Right Wing Assault]

Good grief, what a whiney, bleeding heart (or should I say arm) column.

But even burglars don't deserve to be killed with a razor-sharp sword.

OK, they deserve to die by a nice fat, dull piece of high speed lead. He wasn't just a burglar. He attacked a man while committing a crime.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Thank heavens I live in rural PA where 911 is the number you call for cleanup.

[GulfBreeze]

let me finish that up...

the question of whether the situation couldn't have been handled differently will remain irrelevant

[SandRat]

Remember dialing 911 for help is the Government’s Sick Idea of Dial-A-Prayer.

[jdsteel]

OK....the guy cuts the thiefs hand off and they say that it could have been “HANDled differently”??? How insensitive!