Street Gangs and Terrorism?
Every morning when I read the LA Times, I see yet another drive-by shooting, or some innocent killed in the crossfire, and so many more go unreported. Reading the FBI stats, in the last 20 years, about 11,000 (!!!!!!!!) people have been killed as a result of gang violence in LA County alone. Thats the equivalent of a WTC death toll every 4 years, and in *one county alone*. There are areas (in LA) where I feel most uneasy to even drive through in a car, let alone walk somewhere. This is a sad and insane state of affairs; why is this so acceptable and remain so?
This may sound harsh to some, but should the streetgangs (Bloods, Crips, 18th Street, etc etc etc) should be classified as terrorist organizations and be gone after with the same zeal as any other, including military tribunals? I don't care what color, white, black, or brown etc. or nationality these people are, lest anyone think this is a racist attitude. These maniacs are targeting and killing Americans everyday and just because the killings happen on a one-by-one basis, as opposed to dozens at a time, that to me is not an excuse or 'mitigating circumstance'. We seem to be turning a blind eye, or not bothered. These organizations fit into the FBI definition or 'terrorist', except perhaps the political motive, or can that be disregarded?
Any thoughts on this? Should they be included as terrorist organizations? And if not, why not?
[ 12-23-2001: Message edited by: Samantha Joanne Ollendale ]</p>
This may sound harsh to some, but should the streetgangs (Bloods, Crips, 18th Street, etc etc etc) should be classified as terrorist organizations and be gone after with the same zeal as any other, including military tribunals? I don't care what color, white, black, or brown etc. or nationality these people are, lest anyone think this is a racist attitude. These maniacs are targeting and killing Americans everyday and just because the killings happen on a one-by-one basis, as opposed to dozens at a time, that to me is not an excuse or 'mitigating circumstance'. We seem to be turning a blind eye, or not bothered. These organizations fit into the FBI definition or 'terrorist', except perhaps the political motive, or can that be disregarded?
Any thoughts on this? Should they be included as terrorist organizations? And if not, why not?
[ 12-23-2001: Message edited by: Samantha Joanne Ollendale ]</p>
Comments
Serve no purpose, contribute nothing to society, wreak havoc on neighborhoods, bring only violence and drugs to the community, keep decent, law-abiding citizens living in fear, etc.
The reason WHY nothing hardcore is done probably go beyond my grasp, but I suspect politics, race and all that crap play a huge part in it.
Although it shouldn't.
If I were president (or even mayor), I'd be the biggest hard-ass on gangs and their activities. I'd make it to where any gang member with half a brain would give up the lifestyle just because it's too much of a hassle under my administration. The ones stupid enough to stay in would be dealt with in the most severe manner allowable.
I'd break the cowardly punks up, kicking half of them to the joint, kicking the rest to boot camp and implementing programs in the schools that this kind of life is NOT something to aspire to or to glorify.
But the sad reality is that if you really started coming down and cleaning up the problem, certain civic leaders of particular races or ethnicities would get their panties in a knot and start bitching about "racist tactics" and so forth.
And in today's political climate where a tacky joke can get you thrown into sensitivity training or labelled a "hater", I suspect most politicians and law enforcement higher-ups don't want to even LOOK like they might be going after certain groups...EVEN THOUGH those "certain groups" constitute the vast majority of the gang population.
Point me out an area where white kids constitute a significant and terrorizing gang presence in L.A. or Orange County and I'll eat a brick with a knife and fork.
A REAL leader does the right thing and goes after the problem in a real and meaningful, results-oriented way and says a polite "**** you" to polls and special interest groups and other handwringers who serve only to gum up the works.
If you're NOT gangbanging, then what are you worried about? Wouldn't you - if you lived in a gang infested neighborhood where going outside to get you mail or walk your dog was a daily exercise in putting your safety at risk - LOVE to see these stupid vicious thugs come down hard on and dealt with?
Yes you would...and you wouldn't give a good goddamn WHAT color they are.
[quote]Point me out an area where white kids constitute a significant and terrorizing gang presence in L.A. or Orange County and I'll eat a brick with a knife and fork.<hr></blockquote>
So you're saying LA or OC has NO Skinheads?
I am saying that they don't seem to pose the overall threat, however, that black and Hispanic gangs do.
In the eight or so years of living here, I've never been in a Burger King and have a bunch of idiot skinhead types come in and pretty much make everyone want to leave.
I've never seen skinheads hanging out in front of the 7-11s near me and my neighborhood.
I can't tell you the last time a local newscast opened with story about a gun battle or beating or assault committed by - OR involving - skinheads.
Yes, I'm sure they exist.
But ask anyone here in SoCal if THAT'S who they're in fear of or if THAT'S who they consider the major threat to peace and safety.
Read my post. I said "significant".
I drive home through a neighborhood in Oceanside that I wouldn't get out of my car for $500 after sundown. And there isn't one goddamn "skinhead" in the bunch.
It's young, scowling Hispanic males with shaved heads, wifebeater T-shirts and tattoos on the back of their necks.
Or, about two miles further down the street, hard-looking brothers decked out with the latest "G" paraphanelia and loitering in front of stores, bus stops, street corners, etc.
I've never even seen a ****ing skinhead, now that I think about it.
Lots of crime and acts of violence attributed to them? Do they commit crimes outside the expected race-based variety? Or are they pretty much only a threat to minorities or certain other groups?
In other words, do they rob and assault and mess with other white people too?
I saw a documentary on skinheads one time and it chilled me to the bone. These were ultra-whacky white supremists and nutballs and listening to them talk and spouting their bullcrap was both terrifying and maddening.
Honestly, you just don't hear about them much here...at least compared to the others.
But I'm sure they DO exist, of course. But like I said, they aren't seen by law enforcement and the public as the main culprit or source of the trouble.
They're relegated to "secondary troublemakers".
lol, the idiots started walking up 'till they realized we weren't about to back down, then said we were lucky they were busy, and drove off. bunch of pussies.
Anybody can be a bad-ass with seven like-minded friends around them. But most of these people are outright cowards, who if you got them alone, would probably back down quicker than they'd ever want to admit.
Nothing worse than a coward. Gonna act like a bad-ass, then BE a bad-ass.
Otherwise, don't go crying when I ram my foot calf-deep up your ass or am trying to get a better grip on your larynx with the hand that's not pulling your ear off .
[ 12-25-2001: Message edited by: pscates ]</p>
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He might not be referring to your intial post, Samantha.
Maybe ac2c and Steve 666 have a history or a beef?
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I'm shocked-a great idea from someone who supports a cop-killer!
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Aren't you the one who supports that Mummia asshole who shot a cop. Thats what I was referring to. If I got you mixed up with someone else I apologize......................................... .......
Oh dear. Sigh. etc. No Steve, just because I posted a list of legal improprieties which cropped up before and during Abu Jamal's trial, does this make me a "cop-killer supporter"? That is as absurd and ridiculous as my stating that you are a "supporter of kangaroo trials". Where in my post did I imply that he was innocent? Nowhere. Where did I start ranting and raving "Free Jamal Now"? Nowhere. I was merely pointing out the irregularities surrounding the case, or is that taboo to your sensibilities?
When legal precedure is compromised then someone is always going to jump on it; it is disrespectful to the memory of the victim, the victim's family, the perceived integrity of both the police and the justice system itself, and dare I say it, it's not fair on the accused either. Then there is further public expense, with new trials, re-sentencing, re-opening cases etc etc. The family of the victim ends up having to relive the whole thing day after day. If his trial had been conducted according to the book and he had subsequently been found guilty, then he would have received his death sentence and would have had little or no grounds to contest the verdict.
There is never any excuse for suched flawed trashy trials, specially in capital cases knowing the obvious controversy that is likely to result. And no, just pointing out these inconvenient little details does NOT make me a 'cop-killer supporter'. It is sad that you can come to such an unrealistic, simplistic, black and white conclusion.
Steve666- Please refrain from showing your ignorance...you have effectively "opened your mouth and removed all doubt"
Pscates- Washington has many Skinhead factions in the area between Oregon and Olympia and then up north by the Canadian Border, but to be honest once you leave the Metro Seattle area you don't see much diversity so who would they fight against naturally. I would much rather put up with these guys than the deeper ingrained Gang Members that California has had for Decades. I agree with you though...most are Cowards.
The only reason for they retrying, resentencing, etc. is because of all you ultra-liberal fools who need to grab onto something to make your life worthwhile. The trial had some flaws but he's still guilty, OK? Let him rot and go on with your lives. Going through all this crap to support a cop killer is what is disrespectful to the victim's family. You can see the pain in their eyes every time there is a public rally in support of this maggot. Find another outlet for your compassion........................................ ..........