| From: | Avenger <Avenger@*******.DEMON.CO.UK> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Criminals - Who are they and where do they come from? |
| Date: | Mon, 17 Nov 1997 05:02:53 +0000 |
From: David Thompson <david.s.thompson@****.EDU>
To: SHADOWRN@********.ITRIBE.NET <SHADOWRN@********.ITRIBE.NET>
Date: 17 November 1997 03:27
Subject: Re: Magic in Society (Was: John Woo-Mass Murders, etc.)
>>>As for the argument that mages are criminal sociopaths because more
>>>money can be made that way, that's the worst argument I've ever
>>>heard. People don't go into crime to make money,
>>
>>People go into crime because it's very lucrative. When you import
>>heroin for $10,000 a kilo, cut it and and sell it for $100,000 a kilo,
>>that's called "making money". You don't do it to get even with society
>>or because your father buggered you or because your mother didn't read
?
-----Original Message-----
From: David Thompson <david.s.thompson@****.EDU>
To: SHADOWRN@********.ITRIBE.NET <SHADOWRN@********.ITRIBE.NET>
Date: 17 November 1997 03:27
Subject: Re: Magic in Society (Was: John Woo-Mass Murders, etc.)
>At 01:07 AM 11/17/97 +0000, you wrote:
>>>As for the argument that mages are criminal sociopaths because more
>>>money can be made that way, that's the worst argument I've ever
>>>heard. People don't go into crime to make money,
>>People go into crime because it's very lucrative. When you import
>>heroin for $10,000 a kilo, cut it and and sell it for $100,000 a kilo,
>>that's called "making money". You don't do it to get even with society
>>or because your father buggered you or because your mother didn't read
>>you bedtime stories. You do it because you make lots and lots of
>>money.
>Bullshit. People don't make a decision to be a banker or knock over a
>bank.
This might not have come over as you intended. :) I'm afraid that
people _do_ make a decision to become a banker, and people (not always
bankers) _do_ make a decision to knock over a bank.
It's not a casual thing that "just happens". It is a conscious decision.
>Bankers come from one background, and bank robbers from another. I
>don't think many of the people who went to prep school and then college
>end up street criminals you bedtime stories. You do it because you make
>lots and lots of money.
Even you have to admit that the above statement is somewhat naive. It's
no different to the points I used in "That Other Discussion" <g> to
state that all mages are pshyco's . I didn't - I don't think, I only
implied that they had the potential to be "deadly and dangerous". Anyway
I digress.
On what possible conclusion could you base the statement that Bankers
come from one background and robbers from another?
Are you saying that people from a ghetto are going to become criminals,
while the intelligent educated gentleman in the nice suit is not?
I would point you to events in the last year to disprove that statement
alone. People from the ghettos can become just as powerful and educated
as Mr. "silver spoon in the gob" Point of fact. Several people from
Harlem in New York (black and hispanic) have graduated from University
as <American equivelent???> of Barristers at Law - Attorneys I guess
would be the title. these are people from a deprived and very difficult
childhood, where they have faced perscution, drug abuse, violence and
poor education, yet excelled themselves and came out ahead of the crowd.
In counterpoint, there are many examples of corrupt politicians,
bankers, Stock dealers, insurance executives etc etc. All of whom came
from a stable and loving childhood, attended and graduated
college/univerisity and yet still went across to commit a crime.
These are not idle claims, but points of fact.
Example, last year, a certain person in the UK, embezzled several
millions from his company investing them in rubbish bonds, making
himself a small fortune, and almost bankrupting the company. He was
allowed to do it, because he was a highly trusted member of that
company, because he was highly skilled at trading in stocks. Yes he has
been prosecuted, successfully, however, he did it, and made a lot of
money, some of which I have no doubt is not recoverable by the company,
certainly the losses they made are not recoverable. This person was not
some backstreet uneducated moron slated to become a criminal. He was an
intelligent, highly qualified individual, in a trusted position. He saw
an opportunity, planned it, and executed the planning. The company did
not discover the situation for nearly a year...
This is not an "oppressed individual who suffered from poor education,
poor background, social stigmata and parental abuse" He was an
exceptional person in a postition of considerable power, from a highly
respected family and a damned good background.
Again, if your comment above is to be believed, then Watergate/Irangate
and the rest are in fact untrue. These people do not fit into your view
of the "criminal element".
I'm not saying that the social background is _not_ likely to influence a
person in life. It is, but that doesn't deliminate itself nicely into
two sides of the tracks. One side is good, the other intrinsically bad.
Doesn't happen old chap. :) <thinks of Other Conversation> <g>
--
Dark Avenger -:- http://www.shalako.demon.co.uk -
Unofficial Shadowtk Newbies Guide, Edgerunners Datastore &
Beginnings of the Underseas Sourcebook.
http://freespace.virgin.net/pete.sims - Alternative UK Sourcebook (U/C)
