The Hero from Seattle (stopped shooting)

[Further]

Jon Meis attacked a shooter with pepper spray and tackled the shooter while he was reloading his shotgun. He is being called a hero. http://bostonherald.com/news_opinio...n_meis_hard_to_accept_hero_status_in_shooting

It's nice to see the outpouring of people who look up to these actions of Jon and wish to extend thanks. Also, it's pretty cool how modern internet can play a roll in helping reach Jon with thanks. There are of course threads and comments everywhere extending words of thanks, but then there are more tangible avenues. Jon is getting married, and people have gone on his registry at crate and barrel and at Target and purchased every item they requested. Also there has been a crowdfunding site that has so far raised almost $50,000 for a honeymoon and capital to start their new lives.


Anyway, I just thought it was cool. Interesting also is that the shooting yesterday there was a man in Vegas who had a concealed carry licence and who tried to stop the cop killers, only to get shot and killed in the process, but the man with pepper spray was totally successful in halting his massacre.

 

[Natebishop3]

Jon Meis attacked a shooter with pepper spray and tackled the shooter while he was reloading his shotgun. He is being called a hero. http://bostonherald.com/news_opinio...n_meis_hard_to_accept_hero_status_in_shooting

It's nice to see the outpouring of people who look up to these actions of Jon and wish to extend thanks. Also, it's pretty cool how modern internet can play a roll in helping reach Jon with thanks. There are of course threads and comments everywhere extending words of thanks, but then there are more tangible avenues. Jon is getting married, and people have gone on his registry at crate and barrel and at Target and purchased every item they requested. Also there has been a crowdfunding site that has so far raised almost $50,000 for a honeymoon and capital to start their new lives.


Anyway, I just thought it was cool. Interesting also is that the shooting yesterday there was a man in Vegas who had a concealed carry licence and who tried to stop the cop killers, only to get shot and killed in the process, but the man with pepper spray was totally successful in halting his massacre.

I think it's awesome that people are being so generous with the kid from Seattle. He deserves it.

 

[RR7]

I always find it weird/fascinating that people will get excited about something like this to the point of giving their own money to a stranger for an act like this. Some probably a decent amount. I think it's cool that stuff like this happens, just always fascinating to me as I think of having a conversation like that with someone, yeah, I donated 100 dollars to this guy's honeymoon, because I read a story about how he stopped a shooter. I'm not putting it into words all that well, obviously. Just seems...I dunno. Just weird.

 

[Natebishop3]

I always find it weird/fascinating that people will get excited about something like this to the point of giving their own money to a stranger for an act like this. Some probably a decent amount. I think it's cool that stuff like this happens, just always fascinating to me as I think of having a conversation like that with someone, yeah, I donated 100 dollars to this guy's honeymoon, because I read a story about how he stopped a shooter. I'm not putting it into words all that well, obviously. Just seems...I dunno. Just weird.

People like to feel like they can help, so when they hear of a story like this one, it snowballs. One person gives, someone hears about it and they want to give as well, and then another and another and another. Maybe they give five bucks, but if enough people give, it turns into a pretty huge sum of money. We have also been conditioned to love heroes. If someone does something heroic, people are compelled to reward them. It's an interesting look at the social makeup of our country.

 

[Further]

I always find it weird/fascinating that people will get excited about something like this to the point of giving their own money to a stranger for an act like this. Some probably a decent amount. I think it's cool that stuff like this happens, just always fascinating to me as I think of having a conversation like that with someone, yeah, I donated 100 dollars to this guy's honeymoon, because I read a story about how he stopped a shooter. I'm not putting it into words all that well, obviously. Just seems...I dunno. Just weird.

I totally understand it, and appreciate that people do wish to thank this guy. I have family in Seattle, and a story like this shows just how close some of these terrible things are to my life and my loved ones. And if this is one way to encourage people in the future to also do heroic things then who knows just how much of a return that $50 could have. And worst comes to worst, at least you can get satisfaction that someone deserving of appreciation (and cash) got a little. And the cool thing about crowd funding is you don't need to give a lot, you just need a lot of people to give a little. There was a different crowdfund I gave to that was trying to raise money for a clinical trial to help children affected with a rare genetic disease. My $25 in that case was a drop in the bucket, but all those donations together have raised nearly 1 million.

I've said in the past, I didn't understand people who fought for marijuana legalization when there are so many more pressing issues that these people could spend their time on. But it was pointed out to me that most people are pulled towards a cause for selfish reasons, they like pot, they had a parent die of cancer, ..., and that by everyone getting involved in whatever they selfishly are drawn towards, in the end only good will come. Same thing here. I am not giving in this case, but I fully understand those that do and appreciate them, just as they may not give to causes that inspire me.

 

[jlprk]

I've said in the past, I didn't understand people who fought for marijuana legalization when there are so many more pressing issues that these people could spend their time on.

Why do you think it's trivial that tens of millions of Americans have been arrested and railroaded into court for nothing?

Don't you understand that this trauma ruins their lives? Haven't you ever filled out a job application? They ask for your legal record. You are underemployed and fearful for the rest of your life. Oh well, you can while away the time listening to patriotic speeches extolling how much freedom this country has.

 

[Further]

Why do you think it's trivial that tens of millions of Americans have been arrested and railroaded into court for nothing?

Don't you understand that this trauma ruins their lives? Haven't you ever filled out a job application? They ask for your legal record. You are underemployed and fearful for the rest of your life. Oh well, you can while away the time listening to patriotic speeches extolling how much freedom this country has.

I have actually come to agree with your point, and have always been in favor of legalization. My point had to do with past perceptions of one issue being more trivial than other issues. They never have a shortage of volunteers to get signatures or help promote a legalization bill but often we can't find the requisite support for new education bills or stuff like that that's less sexy than pot legalization.

 

[jlprk]

That's the opposite of the truth. There has been no shortage of open debate about legal activities. But disagreement about illegal ones is always done in the shadows, historically often exploding in revolution. The internet has opened up communication a little. Those who were against legalizing it, like you, had thought they were in the majority.

 

[Further]

I have NEVER been against legalization! I was only talking about how people spend time on that issue vs others I had considered more important.