Thursday, February 7, 2008
Senseless Crime in LA/Petty Crime in Paris
This morning's news on the CNN website has a story that is all too familiar in LA.
A standoff between the LAPD and someone with a gun. The guy was "holed up" in his house and called the police himself, telling them that he had already killed three family members.
There is a picture on the internet of the house in flames. To me, it is reminiscent of when they found Patty Hearst in a house in LA and there was a shoot out between LAPD and the SLA.
This story hits too close to home, as one SWAT team officer was killed and another was wounded. The wounded man is a friend that my sister and I knew in high school. We honor his sacrifice and commitment to keep our city safe.
But why do these shoot-outs continue? Why do we still see high speed police pursuits? What is the answer to counteract this random violence that we see every day in LA? Why is there a shoot-out, house on fire scenario in 2008 when we saw it and were horrified in 1974?
I want to get on a plane.
In Paris, the thing I'm most afraid of is being hit by a car. The biggest crime is pick-pocketing, which is fairly rampant. So, I keep my purse zipped and keep an eye on it at all times.
During recent riots on the outskirts of Paris, people were outraged that some of the rioters had evolved from throwing stones and burning cars to using hunting rifles (shotguns). Many police were injured because they weren't prepared for guns. Guns other than hunting rifles are not legal.
I am confused and torn over the issue of gun ownership and gun control in the US. I do not think that the government should step in and limit a constitutional right (gun ownership) because I believe that the government should not be the decision-maker. I believe that the government that governs least, governs best.
And, there is always the argument that the "bad guys" will always be able to procure guns. Then, the average American, who has a gun for hunting or protection, would be left without a gun.
I guess if I had all the answers, I'd be running for President or at least have my own radio talk show.
A standoff between the LAPD and someone with a gun. The guy was "holed up" in his house and called the police himself, telling them that he had already killed three family members.
There is a picture on the internet of the house in flames. To me, it is reminiscent of when they found Patty Hearst in a house in LA and there was a shoot out between LAPD and the SLA.
This story hits too close to home, as one SWAT team officer was killed and another was wounded. The wounded man is a friend that my sister and I knew in high school. We honor his sacrifice and commitment to keep our city safe.
But why do these shoot-outs continue? Why do we still see high speed police pursuits? What is the answer to counteract this random violence that we see every day in LA? Why is there a shoot-out, house on fire scenario in 2008 when we saw it and were horrified in 1974?
I want to get on a plane.
In Paris, the thing I'm most afraid of is being hit by a car. The biggest crime is pick-pocketing, which is fairly rampant. So, I keep my purse zipped and keep an eye on it at all times.
During recent riots on the outskirts of Paris, people were outraged that some of the rioters had evolved from throwing stones and burning cars to using hunting rifles (shotguns). Many police were injured because they weren't prepared for guns. Guns other than hunting rifles are not legal.
I am confused and torn over the issue of gun ownership and gun control in the US. I do not think that the government should step in and limit a constitutional right (gun ownership) because I believe that the government should not be the decision-maker. I believe that the government that governs least, governs best.
And, there is always the argument that the "bad guys" will always be able to procure guns. Then, the average American, who has a gun for hunting or protection, would be left without a gun.
I guess if I had all the answers, I'd be running for President or at least have my own radio talk show.
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