QUOTE(shopordrop @ Aug 25 2008, 07:24 PM)
I can't speak for anyone else here, but if this were my child, I would not be angry at the man, because I would recognize that what he did was in SELF DEFENSE, which was in response to the behavior of my son. I might be angry, but more than likely at myself. I would be asking myself what I did wrong as a parent that might have led to this situation. Then I would be angry at my son for causing his own premature death.
But then, I'm a logical, responsible adult that is willing to take blame when blame is due. From the day my daughters were born, I have worked to instill a feeling of respect for themselves and other. My husband and I give them opportunities to find their talents, to develop appropriate social interactions, and to excel academically. We take the opportunity to discuss current events, both locally and others, to help them to evaluate life's events critically. I would be shocked if our child would ever be in a situation like this, but if so, I would search for any error on our part.
How would you feel if you were robbed at gunpoint at your bar? Would you be blaming the bar for not being prepared for a robbery? Or would you feel the instinct to survive? If you had the opportunity to, would you shoot the robber? You would be saving your own life, but another mother would be losing their child. Which is more important, your survival, or the other mother's feelings? If you shot the robber in self defense, would you argue that it was necessary to save your own life, because he would have killed you, an innocent victim, instead? What would you say to the robber's mother, who would argue that the bar should have known that a robbery would happen someday, and should have done something to prevent it?
That's kind of harsh. I get what you're saying, but she did just lose her child. Don't say anything online that you wouldn't say to someone's face, and I don't know any logical, responsible adult who could chew out a grieving mother.
