Police: Juveniles laughed after setting 15-year-old on fire

[SdivaD]

I blame the damn video games and movies that are desensitizing people. If I played Grand Theft Auto for 9 years straight I would be f*cked up too.

Yes, by all means, blame video games. Don't blame the parents who didn't properly raise their children or the system in which their behavior was obviously allowed to occur.

Yes, by all means, get a scapegoat. I played Grand Theft Auto since #3 came out however long ago it was. Am I out there setting kids on fire? I think not.

Peddle that bullshit elsewhere. These kids are monsters plain and simple.

Well of course I blame the parents for letting them play the damn games, and watch the movies. I'm not saying playing video games and watching movies is bad, but moderation is key... kids don't know how to be moderate in nothing.

And you are right that they're monsters... I just think desensitization plays a major role, that's all.

Yeah... if it weren't for video games and movies, Jack the Ripper and Elizabeth Bathory never would have existed

 

[AllieBaba]

Really? What books, what authors?

I don't own the books but what I just stated is a common theory when it comes to serial killers and violent criminals. I know that for a fact since I learned it in law class last year.

It isn't a common theory at all. I work with cw and law enforcement. Bad kids come from bad homes, almost without exception.

People are occasionally surprised by a bad kid because outwardly the family looks "normal" but upon further investigation something is always bizarre. Jeffrey Dahmer's parents DESERTED him for months at a time, leaving him completely alone and unsupervised, when he was in his teens. Nice people...but who the hell just gives their kid a house and leaves him there? His mother is a raving nutcase, his father a limp dishrag.

John Gacy's dad used to take hm down into the basement and abuse him, for years.

The kids I've run across who are killers either have parents who are actively abusive, or drug addicted, and have left the kids on their own to be exposed and victimized.

Now I'll add a disclaimer...ONCE in a while, I'm sure one just pops up out of somewhere and there's no explanation for it, that's just the way statisitics work. But I've never heard of it.

And while it isn't a religious issue, if you're talking about a lack of structure or strong, decent father figures, it doesn't make sense to also take church and the bible out of the picture, which could potentially be the only place these kids are exposed to strong, decent male (and female) role models, and learn the way people are SUPPOSED to behave towards one another. It might just be one day a week for some of them, but that's better than nothing.

 

[Ravi]

Yes, by all means, blame video games. Don't blame the parents who didn't properly raise their children or the system in which their behavior was obviously allowed to occur.

Yes, by all means, get a scapegoat. I played Grand Theft Auto since #3 came out however long ago it was. Am I out there setting kids on fire? I think not.

Peddle that bullshit elsewhere. These kids are monsters plain and simple.

Well of course I blame the parents for letting them play the damn games, and watch the movies. I'm not saying playing video games and watching movies is bad, but moderation is key... kids don't know how to be moderate in nothing.

And you are right that they're monsters... I just think desensitization plays a major role, that's all.

Yeah... if it weren't for video games and movies, Jack the Ripper and Elizabeth Bathory never would have existed

Oh, my...a backward DavidS...tff

 

[AllieBaba]

The exceptions are cases of course of true psychosis, like the kid who shot up Virginia Tech. I think that kid was just straight out crazy, there's no indication that it was anything else.

But the kids who shot up Columbine who had completely oblivious parents who allowed them to do exactly as they pleased, regardless of how depraved it was. Whether they didn't notice, or they just didn't intervene, it doesn't matter. Would YOU let your kid indulge in the sort of sick fantasies these kids did, dress the way these kids did, AND stockpile weapons?

I sure as shit wouldn't. I'd be at the door every day taking their fucking trench coats, patting them down, checking their bags, shutting down their internet, dragging their pimply asses to vacation bible school or fucking crafts classes, I don't care..SOMETHING. I searched my boys' rooms on a regular basis, unabashedly. I didn't hide it, they knew it. I searched their bags and patted them down if I thought they were trying to sneak knives or dope around (they did go through stages). I took their butts to school, I separated them when they needed to be separated, I dragged them with me for weekend outings that believe me, they were not always into. I even went through a stage where I made them pray in the car on the way to school, that was pretty funny, actually because neither was inclined to and they felt ridiculous doing it....but it was a way of getting them to say "help me to behave appropriately, give me strength to bear whatever I have to bear at school, let me be a good person". Just saying the words, even if you don't believe God will really help you with those things (though of course I believe he does) helps establish in their little pea brains the path they're supposed to be walking while away from mommy, and what is IMPORTANT.

But the point it, I never opted out, and I never exposed them to overt danger (I never brought druggies into the house, I didn't take my kids to parties...you'd be amazed at how many mothers do). And t hat's what isn't happening in these families where the kids are committing these atrocious crimes.

 

[jillian]

Oh, my...a backward DavidS...tff

oh heck... is THAT what it is! lol...

And here I was wondering what the S and D around diva stood for!

heh...

 

[eagleseven]

The exceptions are cases of course of true psychosis, like the kid who shot up Virginia Tech. I think that kid was just straight out crazy, there's no indication that it was anything else.

But the kids who shot up Columbine who had completely oblivious parents who allowed them to do exactly as they pleased, regardless of how depraved it was. Whether they didn't notice, or they just didn't intervene, it doesn't matter. Would YOU let your kid indulge in the sort of sick fantasies these kids did, dress the way these kids did, AND stockpile weapons?

I sure as shit wouldn't. I'd be at the door every day taking their fucking trench coats, patting them down, checking their bags, shutting down their internet, dragging their pimply asses to vacation bible school or fucking crafts classes, I don't care..SOMETHING. I searched my boys' rooms on a regular basis, unabashedly. I didn't hide it, they knew it. I searched their bags and patted them down if I thought they were trying to sneak knives or dope around (they did go through stages). I took their butts to school, I separated them when they needed to be separated, I dragged them with me for weekend outings that believe me, they were not always into. I even went through a stage where I made them pray in the car on the way to school, that was pretty funny, actually because neither was inclined to and they felt ridiculous doing it....but it was a way of getting them to say "help me to behave appropriately, give me strength to bear whatever I have to bear at school, let me be a good person". Just saying the words, even if you don't believe God will really help you with those things (though of course I believe he does) helps establish in their little pea brains the path they're supposed to be walking while away from mommy, and what is IMPORTANT.

But the point it, I never opted out, and I never exposed them to overt danger (I never brought druggies into the house, I didn't take my kids to parties...you'd be amazed at how many mothers do). And t hat's what isn't happening in these families where the kids are committing these atrocious crimes.

Holy shit, I feel bad for your kids....living in a police state.

Children committing violence is nothing new. The difference today is that we have a 24-hr news cycle to continually feed us this information. 50 years ago, you'd never hear about something like this on the national news. Violence has always been with us.

 

[amrchaos]

David fought Goliath when he was 9 and killed him. Boys down through the ages have been desensitized to violence.

What is happening, you are both right, is that now there is also a lack of morality and guidance in the home and in society. In a society where there are no boundaries, guidelines or consequences, and even those who behave in anti-social manner are considered victims, this sort of thing is bound to happen.

Actually, in the days of David and Goliath, the act of killing animals(like sheep) and living so close to nature is probably why the act of David should not be taken as in this case.

Something really troubling has occured with these kids upbringing. Also, it is possible that Brewer did more than just forget to pay back 40 bucks to one of his gang. Brewer could have been a big time A**hole to start with. Of course, this is just a wild speculation, but it seems wierd that his gang went ballistic just over the game. Maybe, just maybe, Brewer was bragging that he was not going to pay them back?

 

[AllieBaba]

The exceptions are cases of course of true psychosis, like the kid who shot up Virginia Tech. I think that kid was just straight out crazy, there's no indication that it was anything else.

But the kids who shot up Columbine who had completely oblivious parents who allowed them to do exactly as they pleased, regardless of how depraved it was. Whether they didn't notice, or they just didn't intervene, it doesn't matter. Would YOU let your kid indulge in the sort of sick fantasies these kids did, dress the way these kids did, AND stockpile weapons?

I sure as shit wouldn't. I'd be at the door every day taking their fucking trench coats, patting them down, checking their bags, shutting down their internet, dragging their pimply asses to vacation bible school or fucking crafts classes, I don't care..SOMETHING. I searched my boys' rooms on a regular basis, unabashedly. I didn't hide it, they knew it. I searched their bags and patted them down if I thought they were trying to sneak knives or dope around (they did go through stages). I took their butts to school, I separated them when they needed to be separated, I dragged them with me for weekend outings that believe me, they were not always into. I even went through a stage where I made them pray in the car on the way to school, that was pretty funny, actually because neither was inclined to and they felt ridiculous doing it....but it was a way of getting them to say "help me to behave appropriately, give me strength to bear whatever I have to bear at school, let me be a good person". Just saying the words, even if you don't believe God will really help you with those things (though of course I believe he does) helps establish in their little pea brains the path they're supposed to be walking while away from mommy, and what is IMPORTANT.

But the point it, I never opted out, and I never exposed them to overt danger (I never brought druggies into the house, I didn't take my kids to parties...you'd be amazed at how many mothers do). And t hat's what isn't happening in these families where the kids are committing these atrocious crimes.

Holy shit, I feel bad for your kids....living in a police state.

Children committing violence is nothing new. The difference today is that we have a 24-hr news cycle to continually feed us this information. 50 years ago, you'd never hear about something like this on the national news. Violence has always been with us.

Oh it wasn't a police state. It was more of a random search state. They had plenty of freedom, everyone was always at MY house because my kids didn't get to go hang for hour upon hour elsewhere. I always knew where they were, they always had a time to be home, and I had no problem hunting them down.

My boys never lit anyone on fire, never garrotted anyone, never got into a gang fight, never got busted for drugs at school, never killed any old ladies, never stole anything that wasn't there (except once for the condoms and once when my boy borrowed a butterfly knife from a friend's dad to show to friends, and then returned it). They never shot anyone, have never raped anyone or hit a woman, they're kind to children and dogs.

So I guess it turned out okay. My oldest boy graduated a year before anyone else in his class and is in school now, my youngest graduated a little later and is in the National Guard until he serves out his time and goes into regular Army, if that's what he does. He goes to Iraq in February.

None of my kids were ever molested or abused by me or anyone else, they never doubted they were my primary concern in life, they never felt unwanted, unloved, or fearful.

We did okay.

 

[chanel]

I'm sorry eagle. Groups of children setting a kid on fire while others laugh is a fairly new phenonemon. Watching a child beaten to death on the streets of Chicago with no emotion or reaction is a fairly new phenomenon. Check out the violence reports of your local high school. Ours goes up and up every year.

It's no dads. And I'm getting pretty fucking sick and tired of it. Take care of your own damn children!

 

[AllieBaba]

Laotian kids were given rifles by the communist armies and told to fight with the army or watch their families die. Or they were given rifles and told to kill their families and torch their villages.

They had fathers in those families.

You get rid of morals and remove the means for normal people to defend themselves, and this is what happens.

 

[amrchaos]

Laotian kids were given rifles by the communist armies and told to fight with the army or watch their families die. Or they were given rifles and told to kill their families and torch their villages.

They had fathers in those families.

You get rid of morals and remove the means for normal people to defend themselves, and this is what happens.

Well, Brewer's Gang had a method of fighting!! Molotov Cocktails can be a very effective weapon.

Who need guns or knives when Highschools are filled with rubbing alcohol?

 

[AllieBaba]

It burns without a flame, too. Scary stuff.

 

[ABikerSailor]

You know.......I think I know why kids nowdays are so much more violent, but it's not because of just one cause........

First, there is the Jackass series. Those people do REALLY stupid things (lighting yourself on fire is one of 'em), as well as various viral videos that you see on YouTube. That (incorrectly) reinforces the idea that we are all cartoons and won't get hurt. Only trouble is, you never see the hospital stays for the people of that show.

Next, there is the absentee parents, whether divorced or pulling double shifts. This allows the child to run free and decide for themselves (without adult input), what they want to do. And, because they don't have that much life experience, sometimes they make really violent and bad decisions. Ever read "Lord of the Flies"?

After that? Video games. Playing video games over and over will actually reinforce the behavior on the game. There have been several incidents where (1) a race car driver back in 2005 or 2006 was going to race on a track he'd never been on, and so he practiced for a couple of weeks. Now, because the game was ultra-realistic, he knew where to hit it inside, where to slingshot the corners and all that.

Remember.....he'd never been on that track before in his life. Ever.

He won the race.

There have also been instances where video games have been used to treat PTSD as well as other ailments, as they know they are in a safe environment (the simulator), yet are able to feel those pent up emotions and let the incident go.

Now, if a person was to think about it.......kids are kinda like computers you buy new. The basic software is there, for computers it's the OS and the browser, for kids it's their ability to move and learn and speak.

Whatever you put on your computer........porn, business stuff, junk, trivia, AOL, whatever, is going to determine how people who sign onto it view you. You are judged by the children that you raise. And, just like computers, yo protect them from getting sick with viruses, you network your computer with others via social network sites and messageboards, etc. You do the same thing with kids via playdates. You also guard your computer against bad network sites (how many people in this country would sign on to a Taliban network site). You do the same with your kids when you tell them to stay away from certain people.

So, with kids having no preconceived ideas about right and wrong, you have to be careful of what you teach them, as well as what you let them do repeatedly, as that is what builds a reflex. Ask any athlete or martial artist.

 

[alan1]

That's bullshit.

BTW, my daughter's last name is hispanic, but she's only 1/4 Mexican. So is she White or Hispanic?

I have no idea if she is white or hispanic, or black, or asian, or what. I don't know what the other 3/4 of her is.
P.S. Hispanic <> Mexican.

 

[alan1]

Did you bother to read my OP? It was over $40 that the victim did not pay back for a video game. They stole the father's bike, the cops were called, one of the attackers was arrested, and then they set the kid on fire. This is not a hate crime, it's a disgusting crime over $40.

Yes, I read the OP, and had it been a black victim and white criminals, Al (Tawana Brawley) Sharpton and Jesse (I want to cut his nuts off) Jackson would be on all the MSM news channels claiming it was a hate crime and being given free air time to do it. In this case, it was a white victim, so they don't care. Sometimes you have to point out the hypocrisy.

Why would you malign latinos in this way because Jesse Jackson is an asshole? That's seriously hateful.

I was maligning Jesse and Al because of the way they act.

 

[Emma]

That's bullshit.

BTW, my daughter's last name is hispanic, but she's only 1/4 Mexican. So is she White or Hispanic?

I have no idea if she is white or hispanic, or black, or asian, or what. I don't know what the other 3/4 of her is.
P.S. Hispanic <> Mexican.

3/4 lilly white LOL (Scandinavian / Irish from me, Mexican / French from dad).

 

[eagleseven]

After that? Video games. Playing video games over and over will actually reinforce the behavior on the game. There have been several incidents where (1) a race car driver back in 2005 or 2006 was going to race on a track he'd never been on, and so he practiced for a couple of weeks. Now, because the game was ultra-realistic, he knew where to hit it inside, where to slingshot the corners and all that.

Remember.....he'd never been on that track before in his life. Ever.

He won the race.

There have also been instances where video games have been used to treat PTSD as well as other ailments, as they know they are in a safe environment (the simulator), yet are able to feel those pent up emotions and let the incident go.

If this was the case, with Video Games' popularity, we'd have mass shootings every week.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wEga9OumEk]YouTube - Grand Theft Auto IV - Executions[/ame]

 

[alan1]

That's bullshit.

BTW, my daughter's last name is hispanic, but she's only 1/4 Mexican. So is she White or Hispanic?

I have no idea if she is white or hispanic, or black, or asian, or what. I don't know what the other 3/4 of her is.
P.S. Hispanic <> Mexican.

3/4 lilly white LOL (Scandinavian / Irish from me, Mexican / French from dad).

Bi-racial.

 

[Emma]

I have no idea if she is white or hispanic, or black, or asian, or what. I don't know what the other 3/4 of her is.
P.S. Hispanic <> Mexican.

3/4 lilly white LOL (Scandinavian / Irish from me, Mexican / French from dad).

Bi-racial.

That's not quite accurate, I'd think...

She's pretty tho

 

[alan1]

3/4 lilly white LOL (Scandinavian / Irish from me, Mexican / French from dad).

Bi-racial.

That's not quite accurate, I'd think...

She's pretty tho

Multi-racial might be better, considering that Mexican is actually (generally) a mix of Spaniard and Native American.