Def Leopard;722814 wrote:O, there is a primary difference between taking care of yourself first and losing control because you didn't get what you wanted at a fast food joint?
The people there were completely in control of their actions, which is why they have no excuse.
Also, when I said "self-serving," I didn't mean "taking care of yourself first." I meant living life by taking care of and indulging yourself ONLY. Somewhere in their mind, they were completely justified in doing what they did, because for whatever reason, they believe that what they want (both for themselves and out of others) warrants acting that way.
I'm not saying it does warrant that behavior. I'm just saying that doing that is very much an "animal instinct" behavior: the behavior brings them some level of subjective satisfaction, and at the end of the day, that's all that matters to them.
Def Leopard;722814 wrote:"Just the way we are?" I'm sure you don't conduct yourself in that manner and neither do I.
Oh, I'm not saying it's justified, and I'm not saying everyone acts this way. Many of us have stronger reasons NOT to behave that way. But for those who don't, it's an unfortunate inevitability.
Def Leopard;722814 wrote:If this type of behavior is just shrugged off what message does it send to our young people. This is not acceptable behavior and that has to be reinforced.
I agree, but I think our young people need to not only learn not to act like that, but to know that there will always be others who do. It's not a good or admirable thing. It's nothing toward which we ought to strive. But it's a reality of the imperfect condition of human nature.
That's all I meant by that.
If anything, people who behave this way should be pitied. That isn't to say they shouldn't be dealt with under our legal system. It's to say that it's a shame that they were never taught, or have never learned, a way of conducting themselves that sets human beings apart from the rest of the animal kingdom.