I would say I troll the forums here more than post, and I've made some particular observations within this particular section.
I don't know how anyone here was raised, or their life story. I am now a non-religious person, but was raised with the morals of the Catholic Church. Those morals carry into how I live my life, and the decisions I make along the journey.
The phrase, 'be a good witness,' is thrown around in nearly every single thread within this forum. Some individuals write this phrase so often, it's nearly pointless they post at all. The most vocal within the group have a consistent opinion that doing nothing at all is the best course of action, regardless of the scenario (real or hypothetical).
In some of the discussed scenarios, the only word that comes to mind is 'cowards.' One discussion involves a gal with a BG's gun pointed at her head. BG tells everyone he'll kill her, and even tries to kidnap her. I don't know how, especially those highly religious, users can worry more about themselves than a seemingly innocent young girl, who's obviously not interested in following said BG.
I have heard the, 'you don't know all the facts,' line, and it usually isn't going to matter. There are almost always going to be things you don't know. I can assure everyone, though, I will sleep better at night, even in prison, knowing I helped save someone's life doing the right thing. If being a good witness is all that's needed, so be it. If someone's life is in danger, I can't imagine living with myself for not acting to save them.
Not trying to be a vigilante, just trying to do what's right. I try hard to be the guy that's brutally honest. Many (most) people don't like me when we first meet. After they get to know me, and are able to look beyond my rough exterior, I'm just an honest guy that tells it how I see it. If I see someone doing something wrong, I tell them. When my son's friends are over, and they misbehave, they get punished just the same as my own son. I honestly feel they respect me for it. When a group of 20 guys walks past my house, throwing their empty pop cans, wrappers, etc, into my yard, I ask them to clean it up. With one exception, they apologize and do so.
Nobody wants to be the test case, especially me. I'm not going to worry about some poorly-written law when I can do the *right* thing. My whole life, I've learned karma carries, and if I live right, things will work out in the end.
DISCLAIMER: I'm not saying I'm going to pull my weapon at every and any sign of confrontation. I will evaluate and respond to every threat as appropriately as I'm able. I wrote this post is a hope to stave off the redundant 'be a good witness' posts that are so prevalent in every single thread in this sub-forum. I would suggest, share what you would do, and why. Offer a second opinion, that's why we're here, to open each-other's eyes. Deriving crazy, 'under-cover FBI sting operations involving multiple agents and sleepers with the mission to arrest a bank teller under the guise of a bank robbery' is hardly constructive, or realistic.
Hopefully not too many angry replies! :redface:
:boese51: