Coming of age by stealing a plane
Published on Thu, Jul 22, 2010 by John PierreRead More The Constant Curmudgeon
Why is it that so many people I know seem to think that the recently captured, so-called "barefoot bandit" is really a decent kid?
Though he is younger than John Dillinger was when he became notorious, he shows many of the same traits, including the carrying of a handgun possibly for nefarious purposes.
He has been involved, allegedly, in numerous nighttime burglaries, theft and destruction of several expensive and likely treasured airplanes, automobiles that were trashed in the process of his thievery and various boats, which came to a sad end as a result of his Long John Silveresque piracy.
I supposed some nut will say society is at fault.
Possibly because he wasn't provided toy airplanes, cars and boats when he was in his formative years?
Maybe the school system let him down by not being aware of his state of deprivation?
Ahhhh ... possibly he was bullied and called derogatory names in the schoolyard causing his lashing out against law-abiding citizens.
I've heard some say, "But he's a very bright boy. He can even fly a plane without having ever had a flying lesson."
So what?
He can also crash and destroy them without ever having had an instruction on that procedure.
I'm thinking some writers, supported by the "feelings" of some do-gooders who are quick to blame society for the actions of every young person who embarks on a life of crime or debauchery, will begin to paint him as a modern day Billy the Kid (a wanton killer who seemed to be a half bubble off plumb in the head) who legend has built up to be a fine young man gone wrong caused by situations not of his making.
Do I hear a chorus of Kum Ba Yah wafting across hill and dale?
Some say he's had a bad life for various reasons ... of which they really have no specific knowledge but, even if that's true, many of us have had a less than Beaver Cleaver life and we didn't go into banditry as a vocation.
I, for one, have yet to steal my first airplane, car or boat nor have I burglarized anybody's home.
Maybe "society" owes me a few freebies of that nature?
Though he is younger than John Dillinger was when he became notorious, he shows many of the same traits, including the carrying of a handgun possibly for nefarious purposes.
He has been involved, allegedly, in numerous nighttime burglaries, theft and destruction of several expensive and likely treasured airplanes, automobiles that were trashed in the process of his thievery and various boats, which came to a sad end as a result of his Long John Silveresque piracy.
I supposed some nut will say society is at fault.
Possibly because he wasn't provided toy airplanes, cars and boats when he was in his formative years?
Maybe the school system let him down by not being aware of his state of deprivation?
Ahhhh ... possibly he was bullied and called derogatory names in the schoolyard causing his lashing out against law-abiding citizens.
I've heard some say, "But he's a very bright boy. He can even fly a plane without having ever had a flying lesson."
So what?
He can also crash and destroy them without ever having had an instruction on that procedure.
I'm thinking some writers, supported by the "feelings" of some do-gooders who are quick to blame society for the actions of every young person who embarks on a life of crime or debauchery, will begin to paint him as a modern day Billy the Kid (a wanton killer who seemed to be a half bubble off plumb in the head) who legend has built up to be a fine young man gone wrong caused by situations not of his making.
Do I hear a chorus of Kum Ba Yah wafting across hill and dale?
Some say he's had a bad life for various reasons ... of which they really have no specific knowledge but, even if that's true, many of us have had a less than Beaver Cleaver life and we didn't go into banditry as a vocation.
I, for one, have yet to steal my first airplane, car or boat nor have I burglarized anybody's home.
Maybe "society" owes me a few freebies of that nature?