The only way I could kill is if I thought my loved ones were in danger. I don't know if I could if it was just me...probably. If I were in war and had to kill someone? Never had to do it but I would probably been one of the first killed. My wife would never cheat on me but even if she did I wouldn't kill anyone over it. That's just absurd! Would you, Robbie? Are you that insecure about relationships? Breaking into my house? Only if I thought I was in danger of being murdered. My first instinct would be to either get the burgular out of the house or the rest of us out.
i could very, very, VERY easily see myself beating the buh-geezus outta someone, had they threatened or hurt family or a friend. without thought, without hesitation, without explanation -- bare hands, baseball bat, car... wouldnt matter.
in my mind, tho, there's a HUGE split between that and death (all be it relatively slight, on a legal basis).
in a personal revenge type case, like if a girl cheated on me... i think i'd be sorely tempted to break'em both. again, not kill, but probably pretty close. if thats an insecurity, so be it.
putting myself in the situation of a cop and/or a soldier... i dunno what i'd do. i often want to become one of the two, sorta like a real-life superhero. but would i be able to kill, even if i needed to? ...i honestly dont know. im not even sure how comfortable id feel shooting at someone (not to kill).
bottom line -- could i kill someone? its possible, but ill tell you now, i cant think of a single situation where i'd need to.
To answer this question, you really have to be put in the situation. Even if I thought my girls were in trouble, I couldn't kill the person responsible until I saw it in progress - that's not to say I wouldn't want to. This guy was threatening my father with all sorts of legal shit once, I really felt like I wanted to kill him, I confronted him with a hammer..........I didn't do a thing, again, not that I didn't want to.
Even in the army, I couldn't bring myself to shoot until we were being shot at.
I couldn't answer that question until I was forced into the situation. I could sit here right now and say "No. That's a terrible thing to do!", but you never know. I was in the Army during the little pissing contest in Iraq, and considered it then, but never really came up with a pat answer.
I really think if it came down to it, I probably could if I had to. Not out of malice or forethought, but as a reaction to the safety of myself or others. I wouldn't go back two weeks after I found a guy was sleeping with my wife and kill him or her, but if her life were in mortal danger and it was him or her, I probably wouldn't have to think twice about it. Guess it's just the way I've been raised...
I've spent nearly half my life in either military or para-military (law enforcement) situations where people dying is just a fact of life...
Not to sound cold or uncaring, but when you've been around some of that stuff for as long as I have, you tend to distance yourself emotionally from what's going on. You always hear about how cops and people in similar situations have very morbid senses of humor to help them cope with what's going on around them, and it's very true. You and I could hear the same story on the news about something terrible happening to somebody and our reactions would probably be polar opposites from each other. You might be revulsed or feel pity for them, where as I would probably started telling sick jokes. It's disgusting, but it's the way we are...
Been getting more and more into them in the past year or so. I first checked 'em out based on your very own recommendation when their last album came out. I've been hooked on OK Computer since I bought the album six monthes ago. I was just talkin' to a couple friends of mine last night about checkin' 'em out when they hit Chicago on Aug 1st...
I saw that it's due out in a week or two, but haven't heard the tune yet. Since I can't stand to listen to radio music anymore, I'll have to wait till I pick it up to hear it...
I saw too much anger and violence gorwing up, not as much as some of the kids I treat now but enough to recognize violence is NOT the answer. So could I kill, I doubt it highly although as many of you already said certain circumstances might force it.
Hell growing up I was afraid to be drafted for fear of having to kill some poor schmuck from another country who was probably as scared shitless as I would be!
Yes, if it was the right situation, person and weapon, I would.
I imagine that if I had the opportunity to save a loved one from imminent danger, but by doing so had to put down an attacker, I'd do it. Probably without hesitation. I've had dreams with similar scenarios. It's television. You see something so many times, you see it happen again and again, and it becomes etched in your head. It's as if hollywood writers aren't just writing movie scripts anymore, but your subconscious as well.
Like Franta touches on, I think we've been exposed to so much violence and anger that we've become desensitized.
If it came down to a matter of personal safety or the safety of a loved one, of course, without a doubt. I'd have little respect for someone who didn't rise to the occasion in such a situation, regardless of the legal consequences..
Protection of self (and by extension protection of others) is one of those core rights that cannot be bargained away when entering the social contract.
I assume I'd be able to kill someone in a justified setting. I've never had that problem thrust upon me, but I assume I could. I assume most people could. If for no other reason than most people (historically and currently) have been able to kill when put into the war scenario. Very few go the conscientious objector route.
So Rob, don't you think it's a little hypocritical to say you couldn't personally kill, but to be such a strong supporter of sending the US military off to kill in your name? If you support the current (or any) war, doesn't that make you part of a conspiracy to kill? Just like the mafia capo who sends his boys out to kill, being part of the conspiracy to commit murder? I'm not saying killing in war = murder, just using a ready analogy.
I'd be interested in anyone else's take on this who doesn't think they can kill but supports other's killing for them - war, capital punishment, etc.
The only way I could kill is if I thought my loved ones were in danger. I don't know if I could if it was just me...probably. If I were in war and had to kill someone? Never had to do it but I would probably been one of the first killed...
quote:Originally posted by Rob Kamphausen: would you be able to actually kill someone?
would it depend on the scenario? (i.e; war, revenge, guy broke into your house, wife cheated on you, etc).
would it depend on the weapon? (i.e; bare hands, gun, bat, etc).
I could kill someone, no doubt about it. If someone ever tried to hurt my family I wouldn't hesitate to end their life by any means necessary if the situation called for it. Hopefully all I would have to do is injure or maim them instead of wastin' someone, but if I felt like killing someone was my only option in protecting my family I would do it in a heartbeat.
Since I've never been in that situation, I can't be sure, But I think I could kill if my life was being threatened. I think I'd be more likely to kill if my GF or my mother were being threatened.
I despise killing, and I think everyone in their right mind does as well. The only situations in which I would take someone's life are to protect my loved ones, innocent people under imminent threat of death, or my country. And even then, I would have to evaluate whether killing someone would be preferable to nonlethal means (and I know plenty of those) and whether or not the situation could be handled by those whose job it is to protect people (e.g. the police, military).
quote:Originally posted by Stupid Dogg: really, is it assault if they are asleep during the alleged "incident?" I prefer to call it being one lucky mother fucker.
Of course I'd off someone in self defense as most would. Only other way would be revenge. If someone raped/killed my hypothetical wife, girlfriend or daughter you bet your ass if given the chance I'd end that sorry mother fucker.
I would kill, no problem in self defense. I've been through enough to know I will not freeze on the trigger when the time comes either. I will take no chance when it comes to the safety of myself and my loved ones. If you rob my house it would be in both our self interests if you did it while I was not home.
If I wanted vengance however I know there are far, far worse things I could do to people then kill them.
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