The Moral Compass. Which way does it point these days?

As most are likely aware, Stylish Steve and Igghead have jousted recently over that Mulroney guy and in a response to reporters recently, the Stylish one made a reference to something being wrong with Igghead's moral compass. In this odd set of events, Harper did appear to have some foundation for his statements, unlike the other guy who never ceases to miss an opportunity to check to see if he can still fit his foot in his mouth. Still, it is rather humorous hearing Harper lecture on morality. I guess lying doesn't count.

But that's not what I wanted to write about this morning. It was the phrase Moral Compass that went together with something else that happened in my little corner of this Country that I thought worthwhile discussing. I could have titled this piece, The Confused Nation and it would have been appropriate too.

The Rest of The Story;

There seems to be a marked increase in the number of fights/violent incidents among youth/yutes (Joe Pesci) in our area in recent weeks, and I really don't know why that is exactly, I just know it is. It could be the result of being cooped up together for months in schools and looking for avenues to realease their frustrations, or it could just be instincts similar to male Deer or Bucks come rutting season. As I said, I don't know but that isn't really the basis of what I want to write about either exactly. My pondering is based on one particular incident, involving a group of yutes ranging in age from 15 to 18 yrs, a woman approx 35 yrs. and pregnant, plus an older guy of 50 plus.

A group of high school students are squaring off in the parking lot of a local burger joint located with walking distance of the school. They have grievances with each other apparently. Not far away are other yutes who are not involved, including the person who told me this story. It is lunch period so it is not uncommon for students to be in this area. What was uncommon was the aspect of a fight brewing there and especially at that time of day.

To complete setting the scene, the 50 plus year old guy is standing behind the burger joint, having a smoke. He works there. Someone goes into the restaurant and informs staff of the situation, and for some reason unbeknown to me, out comes the 35 yr. old noticably pregnant woman to deal with it.

The woman approaches the yutes, and words are exchanged and that is when it starts to get weird. A 15/16 yr. old becomes incensed, starts lipping off loudly and more words are exchanged. The yute proceeds to apply a very forceful push to the woman almost knocking her off of her feet. That is when the rather smallish 50 something yr. old male who was having a smoke and watching this unfold, springs into action. He rushes across the parking lot and delivers a blow to the head of the yute so forceful that said yute drops like a stone.

Uh Oh. Now we have a dilemna. Due to the actions of 50 something guy, the incident draws to a quick close. The yutes involved gather up the one on the ground and leave the area. What will come of this in the end, I don't know either. I don't know if the yutes will report this as an assault, which in all likelihood would go badly for 50 something guy. I don't know if the restaurant chain will end up being involved or not. The yutes may choose not to pursue anything out of embarrassment or fear of repercussions for their actions. That does not eliminate possible consequences for the adults though.

Unfortunately, the yutes have little deterrent from making an issue of this, as our system rarely does anything at all about this type of youth violence. I am aware of numerous incidents of vicious assaults perpetrated by students against other students in recent years and the perpetrators suffered little or no consequences. Police do little other than deal with immediate circumstances and offer the explanation that it is the Crown Prosecutors office which decides whether to pursue matters or not. If one accepts this, then apparently the Crown rarely chooses to continue, preferring to wait until the little dinks are fully cultivated violent members of adult society. So on to reality and choices.

As an old head with a grasp of the realities here, I will list some of the risks 50 something guy ran when he bolted across that parking lot;

1. Being charged with assault.
2. Being assaulted himself.
3. Loosing his job.
4. Being sued.

And what he could achieve.

1. Protecting a fellow employee and possibly a friend from potential injury.
2. Protecting an unborn child from possibly harm.
3. Ending a potentially dangerous situation where injuries might have been sustained by a number of persons.

Now the dilemma involved here is quite obvious I would think. Did he do the right thing? Did the situation warrant his actions? Was it wise of him to expose himself and his employer to these risks?

My personnel dilemma is further complicated as I had made considerable attempts to spur authorities to address the youth violence issues last year and have admonished and punished my own Son for allowing himself to become involved in fights. As a result, he asked me this question yesterday.

"Would you have been mad at me if I got into that fight to protect the woman?"

Sometimes kids ask really tough questions. What do you think? What is our moral compass in these modern times?