From: Brian D Williams (talon57@well.com)
Date: Fri Feb 09 2001 - 10:04:44 MST
From: Charlie Stross <charlie@antipope.org>
>>On Fri, Feb 09, 2001 at 06:48:59AM -0800, Brian D Williams wrote:
>
>> It's a matter of cultural relativism. In this country such an
>>act would probably be viewed as an unprovoked assault, and
>>whatever you suffered as a result would be seen as your own
>>fault.
>Then it probably *is* a cultural thing. Over here, reacting
>violently would be a big no-no. (In fact, if you did so, you might
>end up being charged with assault.) That's not to say that the
>pie-caster would necessarily get away free -- but there's the
>proportionality thing again.
How violent you could socially acceptably get away with would vary
widely, but in many places the penalty could be quite high. You
could probably grab the offender and get in one really good shot
almost anywhere though....
>I notice that Americans seem to be fanatical about defending their
>property -- to the use of lethal force. My take on it is that *no*
>property is worth risking your life -- or anyone else's life, for
>that matter. Lost or stolen property can be replaced: lives can't.
>Another cultural marker ...
We are the descendants of people who were taken advantage of, and
determined that nothing like that will ever happen again. We are
fiercely independent and dammed proud of it.
In most places the use of deadly force to protect property is not
permitted/acceptable. However say breaking into someone's home will
get you wasted almost everywhere.
Brian
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