1. Some people seem to think that there is some sort of right to say it’s a prank and that the criminal law doesn’t apply. While traditionally there was some latitude for, say, students running a clever prank, there is no wit here and no social value. It is up to the law to make an example of the perpetrators and stop them.
2. The easiest thing to do would be for YouTube to ban the accounts of those involved. Striking that they are more interested in banning “misinformation” and insults to those in power than genuinely antisocial and criminal behaviour. Hopefully one of the victims sues YouTube and wins.
3. Let’s face it, there is an element of hostility to many of these youths terrorizing and (in their view) humiliating law-abiding citizens.
4. The justice system coddles and gives endless indulgence to its usual suspects. Many people don’t realize that the state is just laying in wait for regular citizens and will treat them worse than the criminal element. See the novel Bonfire of the Vanities.
5. A criminal defence attorney once advised me that justice system delivers decisions, not justice. So basically you have to avoid it if at all possible.
Thank you. Your responses are all true. For a marginal person on welfare with a criminal record, another proceeding with officialdom is par for the course.
I think most people instinctively feel that they are recognized as “good citizens” and will get some slack. Sometimes this works with police, but less so with left wing prosecutors. In fact it seems like there is a higher standard, as you pointed out with the Daniel Penny prosecution. Note the bail was much higher for him.
I also note the homeless encampments popping up around the US and Canada, with official sanction. Government and judges don’t feel the obligation or inclination to put taxpayer and homeowner interests ahead of vagrants. It’s all the same to them.
A few random comments:
1. Some people seem to think that there is some sort of right to say it’s a prank and that the criminal law doesn’t apply. While traditionally there was some latitude for, say, students running a clever prank, there is no wit here and no social value. It is up to the law to make an example of the perpetrators and stop them.
2. The easiest thing to do would be for YouTube to ban the accounts of those involved. Striking that they are more interested in banning “misinformation” and insults to those in power than genuinely antisocial and criminal behaviour. Hopefully one of the victims sues YouTube and wins.
3. Let’s face it, there is an element of hostility to many of these youths terrorizing and (in their view) humiliating law-abiding citizens.
4. The justice system coddles and gives endless indulgence to its usual suspects. Many people don’t realize that the state is just laying in wait for regular citizens and will treat them worse than the criminal element. See the novel Bonfire of the Vanities.
5. A criminal defence attorney once advised me that justice system delivers decisions, not justice. So basically you have to avoid it if at all possible.
Updated the post with your remarks.
Thank you. Your responses are all true. For a marginal person on welfare with a criminal record, another proceeding with officialdom is par for the course.
I think most people instinctively feel that they are recognized as “good citizens” and will get some slack. Sometimes this works with police, but less so with left wing prosecutors. In fact it seems like there is a higher standard, as you pointed out with the Daniel Penny prosecution. Note the bail was much higher for him.
I also note the homeless encampments popping up around the US and Canada, with official sanction. Government and judges don’t feel the obligation or inclination to put taxpayer and homeowner interests ahead of vagrants. It’s all the same to them.