This is truly and utterly disgusting.

Another reason I'm a misanthropist.

Frankly, I HATE it when people don't respect my space. At least they would have to work harder with me to do that. I'm with you. Those idiots are SCUM and don't deserve to even see what a person looks like in jail. And they call this a GAME!!!!!!!!!!

Steve

1. This is not "new". Just trendy again.
2. This is hardly the worst things teens are doing for "fun".

Seriously, nobody remembers this from a few years ago?
AND a few years before that?

My point is not to condone the behavior in any way whatsoever.
I'm just bitching about the poor excuse for journalism.

Somebody should play "Knockout" with them.

A perfect argument for re-instating the Draft.

Teens are too big and physically developed to be allowed to be dangerous. It's time to put the fear of God (so to speak) into them. It's time for adults to go after kids they see doing this, beat the snot out of them, then have the local cop haul them to the slammer. Enough is just enough. Why are we supposed to risk our lives just because kids think that being monors gives them a free ride to be a danger to society? If they are old enough to be destructively dangerous, they are old enough to STOP in any way available, even if it's permanent.

It is hard to defend oneself against totally random attacks such as those. It could happen any time, anywhere. Is this a nationwide phenomenon in the United States or just isolated to a few cities?

In Vancouver, we've had "swarmings" that are unprovoked attacks by groups of youths against individuals, knocking them to the ground and repeatedly kicking them in the head.

Hate for this to turn into "that" thread, but:

Hogre does make an important point, though. The biggest weapon of thugs
is not their size, strength, or even their guns-- but their ability to surprise their
victims. When a person is surprised by what seems (to them) to be sudden
violence, it is very difficult to recover and respond in any effective way.

Hogre, my counterpoint to you would be that a person who has been
surprised by a violent attacker already has such a low chance to protect
themselves and their loved ones that the firearm my in fact be the only
tool that they can use to save themselves.


All of that being said, I don't believe this is a "firearm" issue so much
as an "awareness" issue. People wonder around, barely alert to their
five senses, living in their memories and their imaginations. I'm not
saying that a person should be paranoid-- that's just as bad if not worse--
but the utter lack of awareness is a problem. My point is that these
punk cowards are not targeting people who look like they are going
to fight back, are they? They are the weakest kind of turds,
willing to dish it out but unable to take it in return. People who
look like tough targets are not going to be their victims.

And, as previously suggested, those little shits committing these crimes
should be dealt with in the most severe manner allowed by law, preferably
by removing them from the public they are a danger to for a good
amount of time.

Those youths are disgusting sub-humans.

Awareness is key.

I would not walk by a group of youths, or a even a single person, as relaxed as the teacher was.

Relaxed, walking slowly, being in a day dream, talking or texting on your smart phone
as you are walking are all signs of an easy victim. Punks like that read that body language.

Being aware, walking quickly, crossing the street, appearing confident could help
avoid being attacked. Just don't look like an easy target.

Dan

Mike is absolutely correct regarding this being an awareness issue. Everyone should keep their awareness level on high when in public. You don't have to be a neurotic xenophobe to be aware. The people these punks attack are usually paying so little attention to their surroundings that they don't even see their attackers coming. A simple glance in their direction might have been enough to void the conflict.

You might call me paranoid, but I constantly test my periphery in public, especially in parking garages, going around blind corners and through doorways. I use my whole field of vision to see what's going on around me and I've trained myself so that it's automatic. If somebody does get the drop on me, I should atleast catch enough of the approach to steel myself for the coming blow.

I recommend everybody make a more concerterd effort to be more aware in public. Try it. You'll be amazed at how much you normally miss.

I also recommend if you're carrying things, to carry them in your nondominant hand. You don't want to get caught momentarily having to defend yourself with your weak side.

</sounding like a paranoid freak>

Edit: Dammit, biz. You stole my thunder as I was writing.

Hate it when that happens, Mr. Riffle. Didn't completely steal your thunder as you added points to the discussion.

Biz

They should get a court ordered single punch from Tyson.

GAME OVER

I worked at a sexual assault crisis center for a few years. One of the biggest rules of being safe in public is to not let people get too close to you. If I'm in a parking lot and someone is walking behind me, I pay rabid attention to how close they are getting. I also have something in my hand that will make a deep impression on them if they decide to get funny with me. You'll often see me with something a little lethal in my hand when walking in public. Thugs don't wait for you to dig your pepper spray, etc. out of your purse. If you walk through a crowd with a hand in your pocket, it should be holding a crime deterrent in it. Once someone gets within arms reach - they are dangerous. Period. It can be a bit tough keeping away from people in a crowd, but if you can't keep away - at least keep an eye out for movement. A little martial arts can go a long way in teaching your body to block an unexpected arm coming in your direction, too. You swing an arm at me and all you will hit is my arm deflecting the punch.

We really life in a disgusting world...

I'd kill them all.

Here's an interview with one of the "Knockout" game victims, teacher James James Addlesburger, who was randomly knocked out cold by a kid and fell face first into a concrete curb.