I live in NY (where crime is not as bad as tv would have you believe) and Monday night I came home to discover my home had been broken into. They got in through a window with an AC in it. They totally ransacked my bedroom then went down the hall into my living room, got scared, steadied themselves on the wall (police got a great hand print) and then opened and ran out the front door.
So the police are there doing their stuff and one says to me "Sir, I have my partner here, the lights are on, and I have a gun...and your place is still scaring me". Made me feel proud in a weird way.
I, and I think many of us here, can forget how outlandish our décor can seem to non-horror fans.
So the happy part is that they only took some cash and my heart medication.
I'm very lucky, and for that I am grateful.
DAMN man, I am so sorry that happened to you and also very grateful that they took and broke simple, replaceable things. What a nightmare. Again, super glad the sh**heads got scared off. Perhaps they'll snort or cook the heart meds and drop all the way out of the world (or OD, go to the hospital and end up mandated clean. That's for you charitable, forgiving types out there to hope for ;D ).
If you can afford an alarm system with a wireless redundancy, now's the time. Also, as nuts as this may seem, try to get a copy of the hand print to a PI or someone in a similar field and get it identified. Not to frighten you, but it is super common for thieves to return to a place they didn't finish w (they are, after all, a cowardly and superstitious lot). Yeah, I've interviewed a lot of law enforcement C:) and read a lot of profiling in the screenwriting days, but for some of these career idiots, it's almost like the girl they never took to prom. The obsess over it to the point of manning up and trying again. They people I've met in security go out and find this sort of goon first (usually over high end art or jewelry, but you get the idea).
Best,
sts
Although I am so sorry to hear this, I did have to smile about the police officer's comment. Time to boil up some tana leaves and get Inpector Kharis in on the hunt for the perpetrator(s). I hope they get a hit off of the print.
Rob
I'm sorry to hear about this. I hate to think of my home, the place where I find sanctuary, being violated in that way. Thank goodness you were not hurt by these cowards. I hope they catch 'em, one way or another. When it comes to this kind of thing, I have very little compassion and forgiveness for people who cross that line.
It happened to me early in 2007 and the feeling of being "invaded" is something you never forget. I'm glad your losses were not greater--and "gladder" the creeps got creeped out! I hope the intruders have nightmares for years to come!
I hate hearing this and I am sorry. Hopefully they will catch the scum bags! Thank God no one was hurt!
So very sorry to hear Gillman. A friend, co-worker and newlywed just had a break in, and lost all of their electronics.
Last year, every car on our street was hit in the same night. We were fortunate that I had nothing of value in my Acura, but the feeling is a tough one to shake.
I would heed the words of DMG, as is possible.
OG
My house is protected by the Glock 15 security system LOL
Gillfan,
Glad it was no worse than it was.
My supervisor has made the same comment about my cubical at work.
It does make one proud.
Best wishes
63monsterkidd
I hate to hear of this happening to anyone. We got hit a year ago -- all our electronics stolen (tv, computers, etc.). Didn't touch my collectible stuff -- though they did take my prop (plastic) guns. Our neighbors got hit, too. Some of their stuff turned up at a pawn shop -- we never got anything back.
We moved not long after.
Sorry to hear your place was violated Gillfan, and glad you weren't ripped off worse. Afraid DMG is right about these parasites hitting a place more than once, about eight months after my brother was hit it happened to him again. In the exact same way, just enough time for him to replace some items. Hope they were able to lift some fingerprints from the hand impression, and a security system is a great idea. Not to offend anyone, but I'm with DMG in hoping these creeps exit living reality. My thoughts, prayers, and heart are with you Gillfan.
When I saw the topic 'Burglary' I feared the worse, and although being burgled is obviously a horrible experience yours had a funny - and satisfying - ending! On a more depressing note a close friend of mine was burgled a few years back. They stole his TV, top of the range mountain bike, stereo and everything else of value (they used a van) and just as a final gesture of goodwill they smashed his entire collection of model kits to smithereens.
Talk about the audacity of some trash...
A couple of years ago, here at work, two guys pulled up in a cargo van and backed into the parking lot of one of our buildings, with a trailer attached, loaded up two Harley Hog Cycles, walked up to a security camera (which records, but not live monitored) smiled and flipped it off, and drove away. License plate covered with a rag of some sort. Burbank PD was unsuccessful at either ID or recovery.
OG
Sorry to hear about that, I live in Long Island and my house was also broken into. They took all my casual watches, but nothing from the collection. They probably do not know what any of it is worth. Anyway, the cops were pretty cool and all were hanging in my basement checking stuff out. But still, just in case anyone decides to come back, we did install an alarm. Sometimes they want a quick buck but if they see something worthwhile, they may come back at a later date.
Sal
a neighbour of mine had tools ripped off from his garage 3 times. after the third he set two bear traps below the two windows. a few weeks later he heard a hellacious noise. he had caught a large rat(the human kind) by the ankle and the perp was screaming like a banshee. The cops were actually crying from laughter when they arrived. Justice well served.
My father did something similar years ago with a Rat trap (exactly like a mousetrap only bigger and nastier) when someone had been prowling in our yard, he rigged it under the gate latch and it must have worked as one morning it had been sprung. We must have slept through any screaming. The following night someone shot our front bay window with an air rifle.
OOOOoooo..........sorry to hear this my friend. I personally would have no hesitation splattering the brain matter of any intruder on the walls of my home. Once you violate my family's safety by breaking in, you've essentially just committed suicide. I may pull the trigger, but the decision to die was theirs.
they came thru the window of the ac unit?...might I suggest, a nail board..like Charles Bronson used in Death Wish 3, I believe.
OMG Gillfan what a scarey thing to happen. I hope they get the scumbag that did that. Do you have enough meds to get you through until you can get another prescription? I'm really glad that you're alright. I'm glad they didn't touch your collection. That was a nice compliment from the policeman!
You might want to get a burglar alarm that has a center that calls the police for you. Take care of your heart now.
So sorry to hear about this, Gillfan. Overall you were lucky, but I know that sense of violation is a hard one to shake. I'll repeat others' recommendations for an alarm if you can afford it. Or if not - maybe see if you can get a window sticker from an alarm company, it might be enough to make those scumbags think twice and go elsewhere.
Glad to hear you are OK.
First let me say that on the good side you weren't home and did not come face to face with what may have been an armed intruder and second I am thankful nothing too high a value was taken and what could not be replaced.
I lived for 19 years in a bad urban neighborhood. I owned an end unit townhouse. I like it because of the location, the house was nice and I backed up to some woods and a lake.
In 19 years I only had one attempted break in. The first night I moved in and I decided to stay that night. I had no shades or curtains and the intruder was attempting to pry open my rear downstairs window with what appeared to be a phillips head screwdriver ( a genius burgler huh?). Well, without a sound my chow ran downstairs and never made a sound until she was in the window in the guys face and then let er rip. Being a black chow he did not see anything except teeth and eyes. The guy left skid marks. Ever since that night my dog did not like people of a certain race for some reason.
When she had puppies I ended up with two male chows outside and two female inside. Needless to say that for the remaining 19 years I had no burgleries and not even any attempts.
All four chows died in my arms of old age with the matriarch being the last. She died on Christmas under our tree with her head next to mine after living for 17 years. I will never stop missing her.
Now I have attack kitties but I don't think they have the same impact since they run away even when friends come over.
Dogs make the best security systems.
Sorry to hear about your loss and I am just glad you weren't injured. Good luck.
Please dont take this the wrong way, but that is a great story. I am sad that you had to experiance a brake in, but you came out of it ok, PLUS the burglar revealed a weak point in you home defense.
I'm also sad to hear you were robbed, but glad you were not at home! We lived in the metro Atlanta area for 18 years, so I know residential burglary is out of control in the city! We now live 30 mins from downtown, so it's not as bad but we live like we still live in the city. We try to be super safe but it seems like it's never enough. A lot of the people around here don't even lock their doors, which sounds crazy to me. My Dad was telling me that we should take digital pictures of all our collectibles and keep it on a memory chip in a safe place, so that if/when we are robbed we can show the insurance co. that we had some hard to replace or valuable items. I really need to get around to doing that :) Hope you've shaken it off, it's a weird experience.
it is a good idea to have a record of any collectibles, however, unless you have a rider in your insurance policy outlining the replacement value of the items them good luck. Riders for collectibles can be expensive but are worth it if you have a truly valuable collection.
Really sorry to hear about this...something similar happened to me at my old apt. They ran when they figured out I was home.
Good thing they didn't get much and you're safe and healthy.
Hope they catch em.
1st, thanks so much for all the kind words.
2nd, no, the medication isn't an issue. I don't take a daily dose, it is for emergency use and a quick call to the doc fixed me up. Funny thing is they didn't take the bottle itself, they just dumped the pills into their pocket. We know they didn't ingest them since a dose of 10 would have killed them.
3rd, I'm fully insured with riders up the wazoo, but I hate the feeling of violation and I would really hate to have to try and replace what I have spent a lifetime collecting.
4th, Yes, I should have an alarm system. I had one when I lived in NJ but when I moved to NY a few years ago I didn't install a new one. In the process now. Should be done by tonight.
5th, not big on guns but I am (legally) armed.
6th, dogs are a great security system, but dogs with lasers would be better.
7th, those of you who said thieves often return are 100% correct. The police said the usual move is to steal stuff then come back in 2-3 months after the victim has used the insurance to buy new stuff. That said, the fact that these thieves only took money and drugs but left jewelry and electronics is a good thing. They just want things that can't be traced (cash) and to get high. That said, should they return I am confident the alarm will scare them or the cameras will at least make it easier to catch them.
I dodged a bullet on this one and am seizing the opportunity to ensure it doesn't happen again.
Again, thanks to everyone for the support and kind words.
That's terrible to hear. This is why so many people have guns, bars on their windows, attack dogs, etc. I cannot tolerate theft. God knows the government takes enuff of our money by taxing our earnings mkore and more (about 1/2!), but for someone to break in and try to take what you have bought with the money YOU EARNED is despicable. Again---very sorry. Cash can be replaced. Heart meds too. I dare say...even our collections (God forbid): but once a life is gone that's it. I am glad you are safe. Take care,
Phibes
I have been there too! Very sorry that had happened to you. :(
This is terrible news. I am glad you are alright. It sickens me to hear of such things and I know they happen all the time. It especially makes me mad that they took your medicine. You need that. I am on heart medication since my heart attack and I know how that is. Yeah, it can be replaced with a phone call but you still have to pay for it again. It is a good thing you were not home. It could have been worse. Collections and items can be replace but not your life. But is still sucks (pardon my language but I am mad about this) having to start over again plus that feeling of violation you must have. Get an alarm and keep your chin up. I don't think they will come back. Maybe if you are lucky they might be trying to get high off your heart medications and instead if you have medicines like mine, it will slow their heart down and maybe they won't survive. A terrible thing to wish on someone but once again I apologize. Stealing is wrong and stealing someone medicines is unexcusable. Good luck with everything. Take care things will turn out fine.
Once again, not to come off as a know it all, but if you live in the US or EU, you should NEVER set a trap for a human being, regardless of what they are doing (theft etc). Many of the 50 states have provisions for legal killing or maiming in defense of your own life, some for defense of others and a few in defense of property, but setting a trap is a premeditated offense that just does not fly with the federal court system since about 1993. I know it's harsh to say something along the lines of desiring whoever did this take themselves out of the gene pool, yet I am someone who has a Nelson Algren level of compassion for troubled souls, but if YOU kill 'em, do it in defense of self or risk your own bodily freedom. Just sayin'.
And Gillfan, go for a wireless redundancy on the alarm system if you can. That w a back up battery can pay for itself in seconds.
Also, this may seem real strange, but if you still feel really uncomfortable at home after a month or six weeks, you might try a technique that has seen lots of results in individuals and family mentally / physically 'reclaiming' space after violation and disaster. You sit in your space in the dark for a while just listening, and then eventually fully explore your own house with a low light flashlight (not a halogen). Reportedly it helps your nervous and limbic systems 'reset' once you experience the thrill / fear of the dark and explore it and find nothing you are truly afraid of.
C'mon in univited and I'll play ya' a tune.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g107/backlotcharlie/elvisgun-1.jpg)
but if YOU kill 'em, do it in defense
setting a trap is in defense, the scumbags forfeit their lives when it becomes a home invasion.
so a nail board may seem pretty brutal to some,but so is the mind of the criminal...
Shoot first and forget asking the questions, that's southern justice....
Criminals need to be dealt with in harsh ways, instead of a slap on the wrist and 30 day sentence,so they can come back and do something even worse.
jmo
>:D
******* EYE FOR A EYE ******* COMES THREW MY WINDOW ***** LEAVES IN MY TRUNK*****ITS THE ONLY WAY TO FLY......ICEMAN........
Quote from: Dr.Teufel Geist on May 22, 2010, 10:44:27 AM
setting a trap is in defense, the scumbags forfeit their lives when it becomes a home invasion.
so a nail board may seem pretty brutal to some,but so is the mind of the criminal...
While not a lawyer, I have read much about many good people who have done similar things in defense of property and had their freedoms legally stripped of them in court, or been successfully sued in civil court by the 'victim' (yep, the intruder) or even the intruder's family. There's an element of premeditated intent to harm in a trap that gets very, very tricky to legally defend in most counties. That said, you know how I feel and think about it from my first post. I find uncivil behavior intolerable.
Quote from: ICEMANN333 on May 22, 2010, 10:49:15 AM
******* EYE FOR A EYE ******* COMES THREW MY WINDOW ***** LEAVES IN MY TRUNK*****ITS THE ONLY WAY TO FLY......ICEMAN........
Heh heh. Roll on iceman, roll on, I'm not getting in your way :D
I find uncivil behavior intolerable.
uncivil? you talking about the home owner protecting their family and home?
or are you meaning the dirty scumbags who have invaded yer home?
You should see how ludicrous the justice system is here in England, where you can defend your home as long as you use 'reasonable force', a rather ambiguous term that has led to many victims being prosecuted. I hate violence, it does nothing for me but if anyone entered my home at night, where my wife to be and child sleep, I'm afraid I would have to put my civility aside. And remember its not allways your TV and stereo they are looking for.
Quote from: long live kong on May 22, 2010, 11:42:37 AM
You should see how ludicrous the justice system is here in England, where you can defend your home as long as you use 'reasonable force', a rather ambiguous term that has led to many victims being prosecuted. I hate violence, it does nothing for me but if anyone entered my home at night, where my wife-to-be and child sleep, I'm afraid I would have to put my civility aside. And remember its not allways your TV and stereo they are looking for.
Thankfully, I have never had a break-in here at the home,but if did, I am prepared...
One good thing about living in the country,criminals fear Rednecks ;D
Quote if you live in the US or EU, you should NEVER set a trap for a human being, regardless of what they are doing (theft etc).
DMG - I thought about this. I also thought that if a burglar gets hurt in your home they can sue you. I don't know if that's correct or not.
Oh, please make no mistake, I consider uncivil behavior to be not respecting the boundaries of others as long as those boundaries are reasonable for you (unless of course you are mentally compromised into unreasonable, in which case to hell w what you want). That of course includes the property of others. That said, some people are, for various reasons, so desperate they commit unreasoned acts. I have a personal code by which I live and have been exceedingly fortunate to have the limits of it only minorly tested. I fully believe there are instances in which it is necessary to exert lethal force. I believe that as a society there are instances where it is necessary. And as a people, a species. That said, I dunno if I could bring myself to kill a being over my Creature from the Black Lagoon figures. Or a car. Or wallet. But the risk that should I see it happening and that unreasonable individual will go to greater lengths to protect themselves? That's the balk line. I'm not the worlds biggest fan of the police or the military, but it's easy to understand how those people end up killing others in a situation that upon reflection (more time, less adrenaline and cortisol) did not warrant it. Still, draw a cell phone out of your pocket in dim light and brandish at me and I'm afraid it's a gun and you are trying to kill me? That's two center of mass as fast and accurately as my fear will allow.
The UK is fantastically, fascistically stupid in this regard. There are many who have killed, maimed and only threatened others in defense of their lives and property and are now incarcerated. Obscene. But so are the ASBOs. It's as if Judge Dredd has come true and then metastasized. Frightening.
Quote from: ChattyLMS on May 22, 2010, 07:02:42 PM
DMG - I thought about this. I also thought that if a burglar gets hurt in your home they can sue you. I don't know if that's correct or not.
Depends on the circumstance. In many municipalities, it's just like someone who was invited into your home hurting themselves (thus the 'trap' issue). Yellow runs through and through, and many of these people will lawyer up, especially if you have homeowner's coverage that is comprehensive. Your insurance company will often settle at your limit (it's cheaper FOR THEM) and then either raise your rate, or black flag you and drop you. That's the system. Scary, huh?
BOTTOM LINE ITS 3.00 IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT .....YOUR IN ROOM WITH YOUR LOVED ONE AND A MAN IS LOOKING DOWN AT YOU..... LET SEE WHAT WOULD YOU DO.... (1. SAT HELLO...NO..) (2..ASK IF HE WOULD LIKE SOME THING TO DRINK ..NO..)....(3.. WAIT TO SEE IF HE'S GOING TO RAPE. SHOOT. OR STAB YOU TO DEATH...)).....65 PER CENT OF BURGLARY"S ENDS THIS WAY..IF SOMEONE IS HOME IT ENDS UP IN RAPE OR BEAT TO DEATH..........HERE"S WHAT I WOULD DO I WOULD SHOOT HIM TWICE IN EACH LEG.....THEN GO FOR A QUICK DRINK AND A SANDWICH.. GO BACK TO SEE IF HE COULD STAND ... IF SO SHOOT HIM AGAIN.... THEN PUT A KNIFE IN HIS HANDS CALL THE POLICE AT LEAST ONE HOUR AFTER THE 1ST SHOOTING.. WHY A HOUR TO SEE IF THE BLOOD WOULD STOP....((( HERE"S THE BOTTOM LINE DON'T COME TO MY HOUSE THREW MY WINDOW CALL 1ST................((...PROTECT IF NECESSARY......FAMILY IS 1ST...))...THE ICEMAN ...
This discussion on burglaries and suggestions for home defense got me wondering just what the risks are , so I consulted the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program website http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/05cius/index.html (http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/05cius/index.html)
Here are a few interesting things I learned:
IN 2005:
There were 1,612,683 burglaries recorded by the FBI.
Of these, 1,060,513 (65.8%) were residence burglaries.
Of all burglaries:
18.7% were residence break ins at night (30,431).
31.1% were residence break ins in the daytime (500,972)
There were an additional 258,170 reported where time of day was not noted.
During the same year, 192 people were killed in self defense by a private citizen.
Only 88 people were killed during a burglary.
Of those, 54 were strangers or unknown. The rest were family members or friends.
Of the 12,068 murders listed in the FBI's report; 2,700 (22.4%) were killed by a family member. There were more people killed in alcohol fueled brawls (120) or arguments over money (211).
Heyup Monkeygod, funny you mentioned ASBOs as I was at a friend's 30th birthday party last night and the subject of ASBOs came up. The kids who are given an 'ASBO' consider it a badge of honour.
There is a real problem in the UK with society and its getting worse. The kids are not alright and they need help. Deprive kids of moral guidance and discipline and chaos rules. The big wigs in government should watch/read Lord Of The Flies and take note of its message!!
Quote from: Dr.Teufel Geist on May 22, 2010, 11:52:21 AM
Thankfully, I have never had a break-in here at the home,but if did, I am prepared...
One good thing about living in the country,criminals fear Rednecks ;D
I wouldn't go camping in the Appalachiens without an Uzi and a good pair of night-vision goggles!
Quote from: long live kong on May 23, 2010, 10:16:49 AM
I wouldn't go camping in the Appalachiens without an Uzi and good pair of night-vision goggles!
The key for a safe visit is: Paddle faster if you hear banjos!
Quote from: Fester on May 23, 2010, 02:04:10 PM
The key for a safe visit is: Paddle faster if you hear banjos!
And for the love of God, don't go if you have a "purdy mouth".
The laws about self defense i many states are pure BS. They come into YOUR haven and if they are dealt with violence THEY can actually sue you. u6juu
IMO it's 9 mm justice and you put on a pair of gloves and put a kitchen knife in the hand you KNOW they use.
My dog is gone and now it's up to me to protect my space. If you apologize and run I will plain call 911. If you come at me or the wife you are plant food,PERIOD! >:D
Scatter, You NEVER fail to bring a smile to my face!
The comments about the south must make me tell a story of a visit there.
I was at the ranch of a very good friend. The ranch had been in the family for almost 5 generations and the majority of family members were buried on the property. Over the years most of the original wooden crosses had been replaced by simple stone markers. There was also a rather elaborate marker where the (award winning) family hunting dogs were buried. One day while out on the horses I noticed some rock mounds that looked like very simple graves and began to ask my friend's Grandmother about them. My friend quickly hushed me. My 1st thought was that these were some black sheep relatives that had been buried away from the rest of the family.
Several days later on the drive back to NY she told me the story.
Lets just say that being a thief in the south is a very very bad idea.
Quote from: Gillfan on May 23, 2010, 11:00:49 PM
Lets just say that being a thief in the south is a very very bad idea.
My father taught me to shoot while I was in the 3rd grade. If someone breaks in then my first priority is to protect my wife, the sleezeball's rights come second.
Before I get shelled by anyone out there, I would like to point out that I have been around firearms since I was a little kid in the early 1960s. As a hunter, gun owner and one time hunter safety instructor, I understand the need to treat all firearms with respect.
Just a few more thoughts from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting website:
Of those incidents in which the murder weapon was specified, 70.3 percent of the homicides that occurred in 2004 were committed with firearms. Of those, 77.9 percent involved handguns, 5.4 percent involved shotguns, and 4.2 percent involved rifles.
Victim/Offender Relationships in homicides:
The victim-offender relationship was unknown for 44.1 percent of the victims.
Where relationships were known, 76.8 percent of the victims knew their killers and 23.2 percent were slain by strangers.
Among the incidents in which the victims knew their killers, 29.8 percent were murdered by family members and 70.2 percent were killed by acquaintances. The 2004 data also revealed that 33.0 percent of female victims were killed by their husbands or boyfriends, and 2.7 percent of the male victims were slain by their wives or girlfriends.
The US Center for Disease Control tracks more than colds and flu. Here is their take on firearms risks:
http://webappa.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/mortrate10_sy.html (http://webappa.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/mortrate10_sy.html)
In the U.S. for 2006, there were 30,896 deaths from firearms, distributed as follows by mode of death: Suicide 16,883; Homicide 12,791; Accident 642; Legal Intervention 360; Undetermined 220. This makes firearms injuries one of the top ten causes of death in the U.S.
The Bottom line: If you feel the need to keep a loaded weapon for home defense against the one in a million chance you meet some desperado breaking and entering, understand the real risks.
The real risk is me getting to my gun before the scumbag get's to his....
Scatter-Rednecks and Hillbillies are two different things ;D
Quote from: Dr.Teufel Geist on May 24, 2010, 12:55:35 AM
The real risk is me getting to my gun before the scumbag get's to his....
Scatter-Rednecks and Hillbillies are two different things ;D
Only a redneck or a hillbilly would know the difference. ;)
I live in Georgia and I can't tell the difference :(
Rednecks own Muscle cars that are jacked up and have the Rebel Flag somewhere pictured on the car..
Hillbillies own Muscle cars that are jacked up on cement blocks in their fields, and all the glass has been shot out.
Rednecks wear shoes with duct tape wrapped around the holes..
Hillbillies are barefoot....
Rednecks have Mullets...
Hillbillies have Bigfoot Fros...
you get the picture
Quote from: long live kong on May 23, 2010, 04:56:03 AM
Heyup Monkeygod, funny you mentioned ASBOs as I was at a friend's 30th birthday party last night and the subject of ASBOs came up. The kids who are given an 'ASBO' consider it a badge of honour.
There is a real problem in the UK with society and its getting worse. The kids are not alright and they need help. Deprive kids of moral guidance and discipline and chaos rules. The big wigs in government should watch/read Lord Of The Flies and take note of its message!!
Quite amazed by all of it myself. The stupidity of the idea, chavs in hoodies slashing and stabbing about, magistrates issuing useless edicts, etc etc. All well beyond the pale. Most societal collectives up to now used social shame (communal penance or shunning) to curb the elements that eat at their rock. Now, it seems to be as you said, there's pride in it. A tattooed tear commands respect rather than ridicule. Who knew we would long for sentenced labour camps to be re-enacted? Put the screw-offs to work patching the road!
Our burglary occurred on a sunny Sunday afternoon while we were out celebrating my daughter's birthday. The thieves kicked in the back door and loaded up our electronics into a van. It was the end of the month, so on the street it just looked like moving day.
They had sent people around to scout out the neighborhood earlier in the week -- knocking on doors, seeing who was home and when. So if strangers knock on your door and have no good reason for doing so (looking for someone who doesn't live there, etc.), take note -- alert your neighbors and the police that you're likely being cased for a potential burglary.
Quote from: darkmonkeygod on May 25, 2010, 04:48:20 AM
Quite amazed by all of it myself. The stupidity of the idea, chavs in hoodies slashing and stabbing about, magistrates issuing useless edicts, etc etc. All well beyond the pale. Most societal collectives up to now used social shame (communal penance or shunning) to curb the elements that eat at their rock. Now, it seems to be as you said, there's pride in it. A tattooed tear commands respect rather than ridicule. Who knew we would long for sentenced labour camps to be re-enacted? Put the screw-offs to work patching the road!
The town I live in has always been rough and has become worse over the years. It is a small working class coastal town with a long-declined fishing industry and though there are
some fantastic people here the general population seem to believe that to be English is to live on benefits, drink to excess and to bite your neighbours nose off for the slightest insult.
Many of the kids I grew up with are in or have spent time in prison and they
all say the same thing; that it is literally like a holiday camp and not at all unpleasant. Many others have been murdered or have committed suicide. I'd like to see some of the chavs do a bit of real time in a real prison like Sing Sing and see how they get on. Maybe America and Britain could set up a foreign exchange system! ;D
It is a sad indictment of how socially bankrupt my country has become that I and every other civilised person I know want nothing more than to flee abroad or win the lottery and buy a house in the country. It's not all doom and gloom however, I am lucky to have the love of a good woman and a beautiful daughter, and I still have hope for a better future.
Quote from: Dr.Teufel Geist on May 25, 2010, 12:50:30 AM
Rednecks own Muscle cars that are jacked up and have the Rebel Flag somewhere pictured on the car..
Hillbillies own Muscle cars that are jacked up on cement blocks in their fields, and all the glass has been shot out.
Rednecks wear shoes with duct tape wrapped around the holes..
Hillbillies are barefoot....
Rednecks have Mullets...
Hillbillies have Bigfoot Fros...
you get the picture
Ha Ha!!! I always thought a red neck will happily shoot you, but a hillbillie will happily rape you, shoot you then eat you
Yay! Thanks TG! I can now leave my house armed with a checklist :) I see tons of trucks with rebel/confederate flags around here! I just smile and try not to make eye contact. But the part about the cinder blocks cracked me up big time. I live in a subdivision, but out on the main road there are so many creepy houses complete with rusted cars all around. We refer to them as the "Wrong Turn" houses. I mean how many cars on blocks do you need??? We always assume they belonged to travelers that didn't make it back alive.....
Quote from: charp13 on May 25, 2010, 02:50:39 PM
Yay! Thanks TG! I can now leave my house armed with a checklist :) I see tons of trucks with rebel/confederate flags around here! I just smile and try not to make eye contact. But the part about the cinder blocks cracked me up big time. I live in a subdivision, but out on the main road there are so many creepy houses complete with rusted cars all around. We refer to them as the "Wrong Turn" houses. I mean how many cars on blocks do you need??? We always assume they belonged to travelers that didn't make it back alive.....
lol....and I bet those rusted out cars/trucks on cement blocks had some old mangy looking mutt lying underneath them,or inside them.
Some old melted or tarnished Christmas decorations barely hanging on the house, and some nasty looking rusty hook swaying from a tree limb with the remains of some type of carcass dangling from the hook. >:D
Hey, call me Doc...all my friends do...among other things, but we'll just stick with Doc for now ;D
Quote from: long live kong on May 25, 2010, 12:11:58 PM
It is a sad indictment of how socially bankrupt my country has become that I and every other civilised person I know want nothing more than to flee abroad or win the lottery and buy a house in the country. It's not all doom and gloom however, I am lucky to have the love of a good woman and a beautiful daughter, and I still have hope for a better future.
That last sentence warms me. Here in the states it is a dizzying mix. Many sentenced into the prison system (federal, as opposed to state, county or city - which are less 'serious' in listed decension) literally speak of it as "college". Many go in on mandatory sentencing for repeat petty crime and come out having learned how to run crime as a business and having made lasting bonds with like minded individuals. Everything from fencing stolen goods to mass production and distribution of illicit drugs to hired enforcement and or murder is 'taught' there. Our entire "justice" system is predicated around the stupidest idea possible: punishment. The whole point of Hammurabi 's code and therefore the rule of law we as the human civilization know it is
deterrence. I would much rather have someone NOT break into my home that be forced to harm them in order to keep my possessions or life. Would not we all? Our laws, court a penal systems are almost unfathomable until you get a good look at the corn fed veal that comprises so many of the individuals who have changed or enacted these systems (3 strikes is a rule in baseball, not a concept to apply to humans, for f's sake!),all in the guise of taming uncivilized behavior. To me, that is the real crime, and is plain madness in the face. So many "lawmakers" are quite simply casual fascists. The worst sort of Nazi: one that is so deluded they don't recognize that they are a Nazi, beleiveing they are doing 'right' or 'good' or, my
favorite excuse to hear, just blithely following orders. I'll not get started on the business aspect of the prison system. It's more sickening than the health care 'industry' (no pun intended) in terms of monetizing misery. It is nearly enough to make you forsake faith in others, and even sometimes look cut-eyed at your own reflection. Yet, thank everything, still only
nearly.
Also, even though the odds of a violent crime ever happening to any of us are slight, and even lower that if it did and any of us were victorious in a bodily-injury or mortal situation that the investigation would be involved enough to look toward message board posts from your IP address, the last thing in the world any of us should want is written testimony that we'd commit murder and have a level one plan to cover it. Just sayin'. I've been very lucky in life in that there have only been two events during which I thought I would have to draw a weapon on someone - and via teachings knew that if it escalated to that point there would only be a hair before blood. Both events (individuals) de-escalated, but the experiences were so terrifying that I remember them still with great clarity. While I'm trained (albeit limitedly) in a handful of defensive methods, the adrenaline rush was near enough to stunning that I will always be grateful that life did not 'test' me further on those points. I could live with being forced to take the life of another in defense of others or self and, given the right circumstances perhaps even property, but I don't know that I would ever live with it well and prefer to never have to find out. OK, I think we have a "don't yap on politics" request if not rule here, and I wanna remain civil, so I'm going to get off my soapbox after this one. That said, I dig reading my fellow enthusiasts views on all this, and am again and still quite gladdened that nothing more destructive happened to Gillfan.
P.S. Born and raised in Atlanta, GA. Live out West now (and took a while to do it, oddly enough), and there are MANY areas of the States - N, S, E & W - that give me the "squeal" creeps. I stop only for gas in many states, a "don't mind me, just passing through" sticker in my mind if not on the bumper.
This talk of prisons has reminded me of a great book I read a few years back about an undercover journalist's time as a guard at Sing Sing. It was a cracking read and made a lot of the points you mentioned. If I remember right it was titled 'Holding The Key' but I forget who wrote it.
I remember being shocked at the disproportionate numbers of black, hispanic and white inmates in the US penal system. If I remember right it was something ridiculous like 70% 20% and 10% respectively.
He (the author) also explained that the fashion of black youths and gangs is linked to prison, apparently to reduce costs the inmates are all given the same size extra-large clothing, and this 'look' of baggy clothing found it's way onto the streets, and the kids here in the UK have adopted this style too.
He also said that during a full moon the prison would become unusually rowdy with inmates literally howling in there cells! If you haven't read it I recommend it.
Quote from: Dr.Teufel Geist on May 25, 2010, 12:50:30 AM
Rednecks own Muscle cars that are jacked up and have the Rebel Flag somewhere pictured on the car..
Hillbillies own Muscle cars that are jacked up on cement blocks in their fields, and all the glass has been shot out.
Rednecks wear shoes with duct tape wrapped around the holes..
Hillbillies are barefoot....
Rednecks have Mullets...
Hillbillies have Bigfoot Fros...
you get the picture
LOVE IT!!
Quote from: long live kong on May 25, 2010, 12:16:28 PM
Ha Ha!!! I always thought a red neck will happily shoot you, but a hillbillie will happily rape you, shoot you then eat you
Are you SURE you're not American?? LOL!!
(http://www.moviecatcher.net/images/charles-bronson-in-death-wish-v1.jpg)
Nuff said.
Cool,my 1600th post and look what it is. >:D
Quote from: Wicked Lester on May 27, 2010, 06:41:07 PM
(http://www.moviecatcher.net/images/charles-bronson-in-death-wish-v1.jpg)
Nuff said.
Cool,my 1600th post and look what it is. >:D
Synchronicity, thy name is Lester.
Lester, nice pic...but,the guns are too small...try this on for size...
(http://physicsgeek.mu.nu/archives/redneck%20hunting%20trip.jpg)
Every redneck needs one of these....
(http://www.lilligren.com/images/redneck_gun_buggy.jpg)
"Why don't y'all come down and meet old painless?!"
(http://physicsgeek.mu.nu/archives/redneck%20hunting%20trip.jpg)
"I'm going in the woods to shoot me some squirrels!"
Quote from: long live kong on May 27, 2010, 04:12:17 PM
This talk of prisons has reminded me of a great book I read a few years back about an undercover journalist's time as a guard at Sing Sing. It was a cracking read and made a lot of the points you mentioned. If I remember right it was titled 'Holding The Key' but I forget who wrote it.
I remember being shocked at the disproportionate numbers of black, hispanic and white inmates in the US penal system. If I remember right it was something ridiculous like 70% 20% and 10% respectively.
Ted Conover wrote it, I have read it, and agree that it is a fascinating and fact filled insight. The racial disparity per capita is true, and there are many, many elements which factor into it. Most people see those numbers and immediately jump to the conclusions that the US judicial system is inherently racially. Closer to the truth is to examine it based on class structure. Tumble upward to questions of class and race and an already complex (and heated) topic becomes Gordian for most.
Quote from: darkmonkeygod on May 30, 2010, 04:25:48 AM
Ted Conover wrote it, I have read it, and agree that it is a fascinating and fact filled insight. The racial disparity per capita is true, and there are many, many elements which factor into it. Most people see those numbers and immediately jump to the conclusions that the US judicial system is inherently racially. Closer to the truth is to examine it based on class structure. Tumble upward to questions of class and race and an already complex (and heated) topic becomes Gordian for most.
Yes, and I think many would argue that the class structure (with the upper and middle classes being predominantly white) are a result of racism in American history. As with most countries prisons in the UK are filled with members of the working class yet racially they are quite evenly matched, as Blacks/Asians etc are still very much a minority, despite what far right groups will claim.
It would be interesting to see how the social structure worked inside communist prisons and 'reeducation camps' of regimes such as Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge and during the Stalin era, when academics and political opponents etc where rounded up and sent to prison. Though I suspect it would be a dog-eat-dog environment like any other prison.
SQUIRREL STEW.....I WILL HAVE THREE BOWLS.........BIG-JOHN........OH YES SAVE ME THE HEAD.....
Quote from: long live kong on May 30, 2010, 09:49:32 AM
It would be interesting to see how the social structure worked inside communist prisons and 'reeducation camps' of regimes such as Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge and during the Stalin era, when academics and political opponents etc where rounded up and sent to prison. Though I suspect it would be a dog-eat-dog environment like any other prison.
For an answer to your questions, might I suggest two books:
The Gulag Archipelago (three volumes) by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers by Loung Ung.
As regards Solzhenitsyn's massive books: If you can survive the first half of volume one, you'll have a pretty clear picture of the next several thousand pages. The books are brutal in the descriptions of life in Stalin's prison system.
One thing to bear in mind: These were NOT prison systems in the western sense. The inmates were not necessarily there for any crime, and there was no real attempt at rehabilitation. For the Soviet Union, the prisons were a way to eliminate any and all political opposition. to an increasingly paranoid Stalin.
The exact number of Soviet citizens who went through the camp system will never be known. Soviet officials destroyed much of the documentation as the USSR was collapsing. Figures based on remaining documents, show that a total of 10 million people were sent to the camps 1934 to 1947. Western estimates of the total number of deaths in the Gulag in the period from 1918 to 1956 range from 15 to 30 million.
In Cambodia, literacy; a job with the previous regime; owning a shop; teaching school; wearing glasses; all were cause enough to be rounded up for the "reeducation" camps. In 1975, when Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge came to power, in Cambodia, there were about 100,000 Vietnamese in the country. almost all were removed by deportation to Vietnam. The Chinese community lost about 225,000 people in four years. The rest were ethnic Cambodians. The earliest and lowest figure for the Cambodian genocide is: 740,800 people out of about 7 million died due to disease, overwork, and political repression.
Other estimates suggest approximately 1.7 million. After 5 years of researching some 20,000 grave sites, The Documentation Center of Cambodia's estimate suggests that the death toll was between 2 and 2.5 million, with a "most likely" figure of 2.2 million.
Thanks for the pointer Fester! I have read quite a bit on Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge, including 'the killing fields', it's amazing how many people have no knowledge of this episode in history. It has even been dubbed 'the forgotten holocaust'. It is ironic that Cambodia was 'liberated' by another communist force - the Vietnamese (although sadly it did come rather late). I only have a very general understanding of Stalin's Russia so I will definitely get a copy of that book.
Speaking of Russia, here are some figures from another conflict, World War 2 that might surprise some people:
WW2 death count (approximate, military and civilian) for the following countries were;
United States: 413,000
Great Britain: 495,000
Germany: 5.69 million
Poland: 6.27 million (a large proportion being Polish jews)
Russia: 29 million.
Quote from: long live kong on May 31, 2010, 02:46:31 AM
WW2 death count (approximate, military and civilian) for the following countries were;
United States: 413,000
Great Britain: 495,000
Germany: 5.69 million
Poland: 6.27 million (a large proportion being Polish jews)
Russia: 29 million.
Not to make lite but...
NEVER fight a land war in Russia, especially in the winter!
Paraphrase from the Princess Bride, one of Goldman's best.
Yep it is a classic. I remember watching it as a child and though I enjoyed it I was dissapointed at the lack of monsters in the film!