Does that make it right?

kevin walston right!!!!!

kevin walston I've called my cat worse than that!

Speaking to a child is different and fighting words. Sticks and stones can break your bones. Names, ah, who cares? I lived in NYC. Every year or so there occurred a rash of robberies. I had a car window broken and a brand new baby seat for my newborn daughter, and three brand new car batteries stolen. The thief knew I would buy a new battery, so he came back two more times at great hardship to me. I slept in my car one night but he never showed. Many people were suffering the same fate and there were many angry, although no one knew who he was. Then the thefts stopped and did not reoccur. Some time later, an old woman I did not know, who was always sitting on a chair on the corner asked me over. She asked me, "Did you hear what happened to my son?" I said no, wanting to leave, but she was determined to talk, so I was bound to listen. She went on to tell me that some men had accosted her son, accusing him of stealing from their cars. She said, "They lifted him up and hung him from a fixture on the elevator in my building. He was always such a good boy to me but he had was a junkie and couldn't keep a job. He went to jail several times for breaking into cars and stealing batteries and baby seats, radios, things like that that weren't worth much. He didn't deserve to die that way. You didn't hear about him in the news?" I said, no, and walked away. As I was walking, I thought, yes, he did deserve to die. He was the dirt bag who stole my baby seat and my batteries and it was in Winter too. I had to buy another baby seat, and two new batteries, almost $400.00 worth of things that weren't worth much plus my time and trouble. There were no more robberies after that. It was not my fault he had chosen to make bad decisions and had a poor life. I did too, but I survived with honor and integrity because that was all I had, and I did not want to lose it. Do not feel bad for him or yourself. No one makes him steal. He is a dirt bag.

Yourtube User I would love to see you try to live a regular life after living in a bus for your childhood memories and having to deal with thinking that is the way to live because you know no better

Came here to say the same thing. Well done for pointing it out mate.

A real man defends his folk from any one or thing that threatens them. A predator's sob story is completely irrelevant.

Yellow King amen 🙏🏻

Paxton Wheeler he hasn't pointed out his mistake!!!! Someone pointed it out to him and he retracted his statement!!! He judged a book by its cover!!! It does not bare well to call troubled people unhuman!!! Everybody is imperfect!!! We all need to help those in need and I guarantee the man in question never has been helped!!!

Paxton Wheeler what mistake the guy was a criminal and they will put him in prison,were he belongs

Like all creators he showed his true colors, he showed that he has solid faithful roots and honors those roots regardless of the cost. That gets a lot less respect then people like him has earned. I hope he keeps making videos for a long time, he is one of the better role models on KZfaq.

AJ VP - Thanks for the stellar example of circular logic. It seems that you miss the issue. The other side of the debate isn't that Cody "manning up" is wrong. The other side is that he didn't "man up" at all. "Manning up" is being unafraid to call a dirtbag a dirtbag, despite the emotional pressure of females and feminine males. "Manning up" is doing the right thing in the face of diversity, social pressure, or political influence. What we disagree on is what the "right thing" IS. No one is "calling out" Cody for "manning up". He has been called out for NOT "manning up" but instead bending to the will of others instead of standing by his original statement which was 1. honest 2. accurate 3. appropriate and 4. on point. He only changed his mind when some snowflake got offended by his comment.

AJ VP j

Thomas Jackson, I respectfully disagree with your assertion that this video is not manning up. Cody reacted, which is just normal but his convictions led him to post this video after finding more information. He was led by his convictions and not pressured by females and feminine males, but as he himself said as soon as he said it he was convicted in himself. Having compassion for others is not feminine or just for females, it is a Godly quality, more Christlike than refusing to give mercy.

Ed Burke - (is that your real name? If so then you share it with one of my favorite writers) I understand your point. And I must agree with your premises. I disagree with some of your conclusions. I admit you are right and I was wrong about Cody's motivation. I watched it again after reading your post, and while I still assert that he was influenced by his wife and her friend, (this video as evidence) you are correct in saying it is not what led him. If we take it as fact that Cody is being honest, and his memory of the original conviction is accurate, then it is fair to conclude his own convictions occurred prior to his later discovery of additional information, and it is therefore his own convictions that led to his recording of this video. Thank you for correcting me. I disagree with your conclusion that this video is therefore "manning up". When he made the first video, he was operating on the knowledge he had at that moment and that knowledge supported his characterization of the thief as a dirtbag. Assuming we can agree that Webster's dictionary is the rule for this issue, I believe that Cody's use of the word was accurate in that it aligns with one of the three words offered by Webster's, to wit: "contemptible person." The descriptions of this thief found in both videos (especially this one) are evidence that the thief can accurately be referred to as a contemptible person - a dirtbag. It takes courage to go against the societal norm of Political Correctness and call a dirtbag a dirtbag in a public forum. It takes mental and moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand the danger, fear, or difficulty of going against such a powerful social force. The term "manning up" applies to anyone who possesses that specific strength. So I believe we perhaps will always disagree about which action constitutes that specific strength. The answer could only be found in opinion - which action required strength v. which action is simply acquiescing to societal pressure. Now, I do take umbrage with the last part of your response, "Having compassion for others is not feminine or just for females, it is a Godly quality, more Christlike than refusing to give mercy." 1. I never asserted, nor suggested that "Having compassion for others is not feminine or just for females". You insinuate that this is my position. You do me wrong. It is untrue and appears to be a rhetorical trick. 2. I never asserted nor suggested that Cody refused to give mercy. Are you equating Cody's first video with a refusal to give mercy? Are you equating using the word "dirtbag" to accurately describe the thief, with refusing to give mercy? That entire last sentence seems to be a passive-aggressive stab at the issue at best or a strawman argument at the worst. Calling a dirtbag a dirtbag is not an act lacking compassion. No one but you has discussed any correlation between compassion and the feminine. No one but you has insinuated that Cody refused to give mercy by accurately using an appropriate word to describe the thief. You have conflated several characteristics here - and wrongly. And you seem to be making a passive-aggressive accusation by doing so. Thank you for the reproof on my earlier error. I look forward to your response.

The judgment was correct.

Michael Trent @wranglerstar I believe you are referring to Luke 22:35-38 in which Jesus askes his desciples to purchase 2 swords. I wouldn't use this as an example to back your reason to for arming oneself. Ask your self, why did Jesus want them to buy swords? It seems odd that Jesus’ instructions were intended to prepare his disciples for armed conflict and or self defense, because two swords does not seem to be “enough,” as Jesus put it, to defend twelve men. In fact, in the passage itself Jesus explained the resons for the swords. Jesus instructed his disciples to buy the swords, “for it is written, ‘he was numbered with the transgressors.’” Here, Jesus is referring to Isaiah 53:12, which contains one of the many Old Testament prophesies in referance to the life of the Messiah. Jesus wanted the swords present when he was arrested, because the presence of the swords would indicate to those arresting him that he was one of the “transgressors,” that he was leading a violent rebellion. Jesus again referenced this while he was being arrested. Matthew 26:55-56 At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” In this passage Jesus is acknowledging that all this was taking place so “that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” The disciples having not realised this, as Jesus was being arrested, Peter attempted to defend him by reaching for one of the swords, and striking the servant of the High Priest, cutting off his ear. Jesus healed the wound, and then rebuked Peter: Matthew 26:52-53: “Put your sword back in its place… for all who take the sword will die by the sword." Peter’s actions could certainly be considered a just use of defensive violence. Jesus, an innocent man, was about to be given into the hands of an angry mob. Using one of the swords Jesus told him to buy, Peter attempted to rescue his friend. Jesus, however, rebuked Peter and rebuked this use of defensive violence. Later at his trial before Pilate, Jesus made a comment which explained his condemnation of Peter’s actions. John 18:36: My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight… If Jesus’ kingdom were of this world, his servants could use defensive violence when attacked. However, Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world. People have also said that Jesus had to die on the cross, and this is why his disciples could not defend him. However, the reason Jesus gave for not fighting was not that he had to die on the cross, but again to remind us that his kingdom (our kingdon) was/ is not of this world. In contrast to the kingdoms of the world, Jesus’ servants do not fight; His kingdom is built around love and the love of enemies. Jesus had specifically forbidden Peter from using the sword, but his wording is universal. Matthew 26:52: “Put your sword back in its place… for all who take the sword will die by the sword.” This same denouncing of “the sword” is found in Revelation, specifically applied to all followers of Christ. Revelation 13:9-10: "He who has an ear, let him hear… He who kills with the sword will be killed with the sword. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints." In this passage, the same comment Jesus made prohibiting the defense of himself is specifically applied to all “who has an ear.” Indeed, refraining from using violent self-defense against an approaching enemy does require “patient endurance and faithfulness.” Jesus’ followers appear to have gotten the message, because although Jesus told them to buy swords in Luke 22, we never again read of the disciples carrying swords or physically defending themselves. Acts 8:1 tells us that a “great persecution broke out against the church.” Throughout the rest of the book of Acts, and the rest of the New Testament in general, we read of Christians facing persecution from mobs, religious authorities, and governmental authorities. Most of the Apostles met a martyr’s death, but instead of using defensive violence, they showed love towards their enemies and jet the love is what has remained the love of God and grace through Christ. Acts 7:60: …“Lord, do not hold this sin against them!”… Although faced with great persecution, the Apostles followed the lead of Jesus and Stephen, facing their enemies with love while rejecting the sword. Here are the Apostles in their own words: Romans 12:14 1 Thessalonians 5:9 1 Thessalonians 5:15 James 1:20 1 Peter 3:9-11 Romans 12:17-21

Michael Trent , Well said I concur completely.

Well said, Michael Trent

Very true Michael Trent.

Tom Holmes I'd think again.

Most certainly, sir.

Learn about the lives people live. One catastrophe after what kind of life? One catastrophe on the top of what kind of mental state? With this learning you may develop compassion.

Tom Kay All it takes is one bad day...

I disagree, you choose how you act and are the only one responsible for what you decide to do. Everyone goes through tough times in their lives , it is all about how YOU decide to respond to thoes times

Someone should fold you a tin foil hat.

People are different?..

Pablo Martinez I wish the better for you.

Kelly Lopez I thought it was eloquent.

77gravity good point.

so true

Bruco Alidas How did u jump to that conclusion?

Matthew Ledford because many overly conservatives are so closed minded their brain becomes mush. Overly liberal people tend to be so open minded their brain fall out. So being overly empathetic to the point to where you can no longer call scummy people scummy because of a sob story is an example of an overly liberal action.

77gravity watch his video on the cheapest machete and it will be halved again

SouthWestIron and empathy, too. Very heartwarming to see

Vg

SouthWestIron it's not humility, it's the judgement of a healthy minded person with a pure heart.

That kind of empathy is a good way to get robbed. Dont pity criminals they know what they are doing.

this is self depercation

dont call people sir online okay buddy?

I would think that would be Cody's decision, not yours. If you have no self respect for yourself and no respect for anyone else that is your decision, and no one is required to live down to our standards. buddy.

Andrew Pena stop liking your own comments online, okay buddy.

AJ VP: Nope, someone else liked my comment, see how its two now? thats because I just liked it when responding yours, see how yours is one? Following your failed logic that tells me you liked your own comment. See how seeing 1 like doesn't mean what you think it means? maybe just MAYBE youve learned something today. Eh, probably not. Have a good day buddy.

whiteworldwide + We white, and all colors, men need to do two things: 1, Find out what our Creator and Master expects of us, and 2, do it.

Discipline puts fear into children, fear of failure, fear of consequences, and so the cycle continues through each generation, a parent who shows respect and encouragement and explains life through honest communication to its children and teaches by example and has a good moral compass can expect an honest respectful child/adult who would never consider stealing, I respect your comment and I am sure you had good parents, but life evolves and using fear to control a child will hopefully one day be a thing of the past.

Tony , you can't argue the way GOD instructed us on how to discipline your children , spare the ROD, spoil the child, you need to use the ROD of correction in order to drive the evil thought from the children, in mid eighties the Law passed preventing parents from spanking their children and look at the result now of those kids , they are now snowflakes and butter cups that throws a fit if they don't get what they want, to calm them down they make them watch little puppies on TV or give them a coloring book, their ages are between 20 and 35 years old, they are embarrasing

Of course I can argue about the way that you believe that GOD instructed you to discipline children, you have been indoctrinated by your parents to believe what is printed in a book, have you any idea how ridiculous that is? I understand that you may have been raised this was and that you may have good Christian values, but I feel there is more than one way to skin a cat, I have never used violence to raise my children, I have never had to punish them or tell them off or used fear to control them, have you ever heard of mutual respect? and whilst some children will throw a fit if they do not get what they want, it is not because they were not raised with fear, it is more likely that they were not raised with love and understanding and respect, how any person or parent can want their child to be raised with fear is beyond my understanding, that is not love that is abuse and had your parents raised you this way you too would understand, you are part of a cycle that will continue to raise children this way because you do not know any better, I feel sorry for any children raised this way. fear and respect are not the same thing.

Wrong. You cant blame your parents for you. If your a damn adult take responsiblity for your actions because mommy and daddy arent going to spank you, shout NO! Or give you a slap on your wrist anymore. Youre responsible for your actions. The dog didnt do it, the devil didnt tell you to do it, no one had a gun to your head, mom and dad did the best they could for you, music didnt make you do it, videogames didnt either, you knew it was wrong, could incur Felony charges and you did it anyways. You are responsible for you, no one else.

+TheHellSpawn000 Your entire comment relies on the idea that one's parents loves them. If a child gets abused by their parents, can the child not blame their parents when he or she grows up with PTSD, anxiety and depression? Your environment affects you more than we like to admit.

This is so unbelievably funny that it has inspired me.

havtor007 What so robbing is fine I have had issues in my life And i don't go and threaten to kill people if they don't give me their stuff, Something which has to change is that people work for stuff robbers take what someone could of worked all there life for.

He felt bad for dehumanizing a person. That's what you do when you tack on a label like that, or get in the habit of doing so, you are programming your mind to think of them as that label instead of as a fellow human being. Humanizing someone who has done bad things is not dismissing what they've done, it's recognizing their humanity.

I don't see him apologizing for calling him a dirt-bag, i see him apologizing for seeing him as *only* a dirtbag. Even the worst of humanity deserves full consideration for who they are. Dirt-bag though he may be, he his a person.

The diffrence is that this guy is not a Syrian refugee.

It's spelled "Love thy neighbor", not "Love thy neighbor if he doesn't give anyone any trouble".

Thats not the way the world works.

exactly what I was thinking

Quite right. They're just words. Nobody died. Some people in this comment section need intrusive bowel surgery to remove sticks.

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18

As true as the quote "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt" may be, poor word choice and insults will lead sticks being used and stones being thrown. Words may not hurt directly, but the end result of constant vocalized abuse will turn heroes into villains and friends you can trust like family into monsters that now no longer have any humanity. Main point? As harmless as they seem, words have power. It is our only form of communing with others, the only form of confessing love and pain and thus when insults are thrown and people's ideals and beliefs are criticized when their ideals wouldn't be worth a pinch of sawdust. Be careful what you say, because when you say "Thank you" to your parents it may be the last chance you have to do so. Have a great day y'all.

+IRQ1Conflict - For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech." 1 Peter 3:10

Trevor Fout but did he threaten anyone's life? maybe he was in dire need. try thinking for other people side of things. thats what happened to Cody. he used his brain and thought about that guys life and his opinion changed. try it some time.

James Kuller if been in some low places in my life ive never chosen to steal or do drugs life is chooses he chose bad his problem and if hes desperate enough to do those are high on something he could snap and take some ones life i veiw my family and positions as my life

If he breaks into a house and steals a gun, you are saying that doesn't threaten someones life?

James Kuller so he can't ask to get a ride like a decent human being?

Put yourself in his shoes he goes to jail to do his time. There's no real program to change his lot in life. Which starts with him being different. At school where his bullied doesn't get an education leaves school early no one is looking out for him. He mixes with the wrong people these are the only ones that even show him some kindness. They turn him to drugs. He goes to jail there's no program to help turn his life around. He get out these no support no one gives him a job. He try's to start a business which fails people look down at him. Where is that hand to make a difference this is where the cycle is never broken.

Thank you Thomas

Give a listen to the conversation between Jordan B. Peterson and Sam Harris #67 if you want to understand the role of humility and the struggle between good and evil. They talk about the story of Cain and Able.

Glen Rickerd Well said sir. I couldn't agree more.

He was criticized for it and was concerned he would lose money. That easy. It was another person that told him what was going on that prompted any of this too.

Robert M... How do you know what was going on inside his head? Do you know that he was criticized because you did the criticizing? Or were you "in the room" and overheard the criticism? Or are you merely speculating on his motives being only monetary? No mater which of the three it is, I think you are taking a cheap shot. Why tear down what the guy is trying to do? Where is your video channel?

Get off the internet if you can't handle the criticism and don't quote the bible verse just because it fits your view of the day. I didn't know lying was okay. The bible clearly doesn't stand for lying. Also, he just posted a video that said KZfaq might stop paying for his channel and then said he would probably stop making videos.

'How to be a Marxist more like' iPhone added the caps for Marx, I certainly didn't.

I missed the part where he said the state should take from the rest to give to this guy. He's saying to be honorable even if others aren't, we don't know where people come from so be nice and be prepared to defend your family.

Bull Feathers, This is pure virtue signalling. Self censoring guilt. Cody appears to be a fine man but he is trying to stand on a razors edge.

Yes I was rolling my eyes as I clicked, thinking this was a click-baity title, and was pleasantly surprised. This is why I subscribed originally.

Cody was not wrong. The guy s a dirtbag! If you have ever had to deal with rescidivstic maggots like these you would think differently. I have. They are oxygen thieves! Bad upbringing or not, when you become an adult, and go to jail for the same crimes he's currently perpetrating, and you don't learn your lesson the first time, you are a dreg of society!

is nothing to apologize for-

you said it he called the person a Dirt Bag, that's why he apologized. You're right there is nothing to apologize for attacking his actions. If given the tools to change would he? I think he reason he apologized was for attacking the person he called the person a Dirtbag. I don't think he's making excuses for the guys actions. No one is perfect, But with guidance we can become better. He just needs a lot more guidance then most of us are willing to give, however Jesus came for everyone. "Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone".

jimmy may ....I would have used the term fckin scumbag.....life is about choices, and this fckin scumbag chose to take stuff that is not his....

TetsuoVI 2

TetsuoVI dude you said it way better than I did. I need to start speaking properly again, as I used to. Cheers. And have a good one.

TetsuoVI You sound like Trey Gowdy seeking the truth regardless of party! Thumbs up bro!

Always hated that analogy. In life you can't fold and a pair of deuce can't beat a full house no matter how pretty the cards. Sometimes there isn't another way. Like Cody said, it doesn't mean they shouldn't face consequences, but it shouldn't dehumanize them either.

As someone who was dealt a pretty terrible hand in my early life (physical abuse, abject poverty, and eventually destitute single mother household in the "projects"), I can safely say Curtis has the right of this one. There is *always* another way. People just don't always want to see or use it. It only costs a year or two of your life in a community college (which is less than 3k a semester, and can be wholly paid for with grants and/or student loans) to transform a downward spiral into an upward one. It was hard for me, without a doubt. Especially when everyone you know is headed down and don't understand or relate to what you're doing. But if you actually want it, you can have a good life. Even after serving time in jail. Give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and feed him for life. If he refuses to learn how to fish, then mercy is wasted on them. Be merciful, not foolish and wasteful. (But I do see the main thrust of the video: it is unchristian to insult others. We are taught to love and respect one another as you would a brother. Ad hominem attacks don't follow that lesson. Even though I too struggle with it in relation to thieves.)

Same!

What’s the graham the Christian video??

IV NITRO, in one of the comment award videos theres a bit where it show this guy's videos. "Why I Wear Metal Pants", "Why I Wear Wooden Shoes", "What I Did Was Wrong - I'm Sorry"

which comment awards

I agree entirely. Excusing him for his history only encourages the actions. Many people have been in the same position without turning to harming others for his suffering. If everyone returned their suffering on the rest of the world no one would have a good life. Few people can say they haven't had hard times, the story I heard here is no different than many of the people I grew up with. The only difference is channeling their frustration into doing good so others can have it better than they did.

Don Agneta Thank you for your service, and you couldn't have said it better.

A lot of baseless assumptions made here. Your argument is all about yourself, and theoretical concepts. You NEVER know what other people think or feel. People are far too complicated to predict or judge. You don't know this guy. You only know what other people have said about him. Hearsay.... even this video. You have no basis on which to make final judgements on this person. Treating real person like an idea, is fundamentally evil.

Don Agneta im a reformed dirtbag trust me some of us are trapped and just need a hand out of our self made hell.

No they are not. Most are transparent in their agenda if you have half a brain you could see that.

Guess its the ol catch 22, it will never seem real nor will you ever be able to make an emotional determination without it actually happening to you. That said if it has happened to you im sorry, if it has not then you have no idea what you are talking about.

It has, don't be sorry.

Very good comment.Theophilus Ross . I would like to ad one detail. This person needs carefully thought out help and possibly more importantly some real patient link back to humanity he cannot destroy. There is a form of wisdom modern man has lost much of we used to have in spades.Near daily life and death consequences over decisions and actions used to be faced by most of us. living close to the demarcation line of civilization used to give us classical education across many esoteric parts of life.Too many of us have had life so comforting we would not have the bank of experience (wisdom) to choose a path for people who live straddling this line. My bet would be some old trapper in the wilderness would have no problem if he chose to providing a path for this man that would actually result in his benefit.

Madmoody21- There are soooooo many social problems and so few answers to these problems. How about starting with treating others as we would like to be treated. If you don't know how you would like to be treated all of us who do know should try to help those who don't. For those of us who believe in Jesus Christ, Praying for and with others is a good start.

He never said otherwise, he clearly stated that he's not trying to justify bad behavior, more so he was trying to show compassion and understanding to the young man in question.

I'd still tie him to a tree though.

Arne Weise Weise yup,,your correct ,! 👍

Yes but look , not all learn from what they did like you did.

i got the cure. it is called common sense. to apply: knock 1 unit common sense vigorously into the patient's head, rear or ears. side effects include personal awareness, increased logic and rational behavior. repeat as needed.

Some people are very happy with their imperfect state and don't want anyone to come along challenging their perspective.

Ming Mongo such as whom?

Ming Mongo welcome to the internet

carefull with that judgment

The horrible people are everywhere this is true, sooo..... Yes to the guns thing!?

To say you had a tough childhood, does NOT mean you had the experiences this other guy did. You've missed the point. Its not just what place you live in or if your parents have jobs, often its the people near you (the wrong crowd), certain traumatic experiences which could take place in any second, or through years. Often people either don't admit these or they don't even know they happened. Lots of things you have no control over, like your physical make-up and mental efficiency. If you had the stability/peace of mind to be able to go to school regularly, or an influence to show you jobs you could someday have, maybe you had some luck this guy didn't. The military is not an option for everyone either, even that has certain expectations a guy with really bad luck/life, may not be able to make. The idea of this video, which made it special, and what you failed to grasp, is its an admition that, like everyone else in the world (even geniuses attest this) EVEN YOU, cannot KNOW exactly what others have gone through, so cannot judge them by OUR own standards of what we think is right and normal. So for you to directly compare yourself with the guy, then roll right into hating again after this inspiring video, reveals a couple things about yourself. Hope you learned something though! I did.

Another factor is LOVE. Being poor in a loving enviroment, and being poor in a hateful, hopeless enviroment are two different things.

copy-pasting the same comment twice doesnt make you look so smart, brendon

I think you have missed the entire point of the video, which I am really impressed with. The whole point was that standards are never equal to each other, as others here have said, the simple point at the end of the day is , walk a mile in their shoes, and he is humbling himself as a human being. To not do that, to keep- on denying that, is not. This is the kind of thing we see far too much these days, this video was really nice. Try and learn from it, not to fight back against the idea of what he is saying.

+Brendon Fraser Comments like the one you're replying to often don't take individual differences into account either. Imagine if we were talking about someone with schizophrenia, their response would pretty much be "I grew up in adverse conditions and I didn't grow up to be schizophrenic, adverse conditions are no reason to be schizophrenic!" You don't know how someone reacts to a certain stimulus and here you have these people who blindly assume that everyone is some kind of rational robot from the day their were conceived.

Nick Dana Most Americans have this self-reflection

Mir The Destroyer If only that were true.

Commie

If only people stopped generalizing about "Americans" like they're all the same. Americans are called ignorant for doing exactly that, but apparently it's a sign of intellectual superiority when it's committed by anyone outside the country itself.

Lots of people see nothing wrong with calling a thief names and moving on with their life. However it does nothing to solve the problem. It is really just the same thing as the problem this guy had in school. People calling him names etc.

consaka1 Maybe if he didn't decide to take what isn't his people wouldn't call him a dirtbag, but since he has went down the road of theft then he deserves everything he gets

To call someone a thief is one thing. To denigrate him and despise him for it is another. And if I understood Cody right that's what his heart was troubled over, the denigration, not the basic "calling a spade a spade."

Exactly right Doug.

That's the hard thing with judgement. We can call him a thief that is a human failing. But we can't call him a dirtbag we know he is not he is a person with all that that means. The judgement is on his action balanced against our laws and morality/ethics. These are hard things but of course shouldn't interfer with the policing and control of his behaviours but we all should spend more time considering the prevention and rehabilitation of such behaviours and habits.

"We are all in control of our own destinies." Someone with mental illness and drug addiction is far from being in control of their own destinies. It doesn't give him a pass on being a thief or the other things he has done, but the guy definitely needs some people around him to help him figure out how to take back that control.

Agree.

He is not saying it justifies what he is doing. He is saying don't be so quick to judge someone off as worthless, and remember everyone has a story.

Allison Chains absolutely I'm sure all the gang bangers shooting up Chicago are great people, they just had a rough childhood. Can they be rehabilitated? Maybe, but likely not.

Not everyone was given the same opportunity as you to learn learn these lessons, even in later ages.

James Chung Well said. I think we Christians need to stop identifying with political ideologies (liberal/conservative) and identify solely as followers of Christ. Modern conservatism and liberalism are both very secular, any way. If we get away from the ideologies and political parties, we may further understand Jesus and how to live our own lives in His image.

yep, ive noticed both parties have distorted the actual meaning and intentions of christians. were not mean hateful people, some of us have empathy, some do not. the typical yahoo poster is not a real christian, just call themselves one.

James Chung Your comment about liberals vs conservatives is garbage and stereotypical. You're doing what Wrangler is apologizing for. Jesus taught us to forgive and help everyone regardless of who they are. Give up the political BS aspect.

James Chung what a wonderful sermon that will be.

Oh good. Hope you told them all about how it's their god's plan to make this shitbag's life so bad that it's not his fault that he simply HAS to rob people's homes.

The car analogy is BS. It is a false analogy. I would have absolutely LOVED to have had the broken down car with no gas, a broken windshield, and bald tires! And i can point to literally MILLIONS of people who would also have loved to have ANY KIND OF CAR AT ALL! The dirtbag's sob story is weak. My own is way worse than his. And I was still way better off than millions upon millions of people on God's earth who still do not steal from their neighbors or terrorize the women of their community. Cody was right the first time. He simply does not have the courage to stand by what he said to begin with. He can come to a better understanding of the dirtbag. He can increase his empathy for the dirtbag. He can even become a mentor, and pay for his recovery and schooling and give him a room in his own house if he wants to. And that would all be wonderful and an example to us all. And it still would not change the fact that a man who steals non-essentials from his neighbors to support a meth habit and terrorizes the women, children, and elderly of his community is a dirtbag. Pray for the dirtbag. Help the dirtbag. But for Pete's sake, don't capitulate to the Liberal word police. Have the courage to stand by the truth when you speak it.

i think being judgmental is good toward actions and effects we have toward/on others but not toward the person and the value of their life

POV_Fishin Sympathy and empathy should go together. Going to church, you should ask God that. He will answer you if you're sincere.

You said it yourself, you learned right from wrong. Who's to say that this mans parents even instilled that? Remember his household was an abusive place. No one is suggesting this man shouldn't answer for his crimes. Just that we maybe take a moment to consider why he is like he is. And if we truly wish to rehabilitate him maybe we should try to help him rise above his issues rather than thinking some time in jail will reform him.

Scott Verge you might have missed when I said I came from a less than great home life. I'm not looking for sympathy, so I didn't get detailed. Long story short, I didn't have parents and I've spent time in jail. The difference in my life came when I stopped blaming others for my decisions. I knew right from wrong, and it wasn't anyone's fault but my own. Accountability is what separates those who can and those who do better for themselves.

Good for you. You overcame adversity. That doesn't mean everyone will. And no one said he blamed anyone else for his issues except you. You can infact accept your faults are yours and still fail.

Let's just forget the Christ theme for the moment- let's just say that one can readjust one's judgement and statements and come to a seasoned judgement without penalty and review that view- that's the view of a flexible mind.

With all that said, if I'm facing a would-be home invader, I'm going to make sure they have the worst (and possibly last) day of their life. I can pray for them afterward...

Wow out of all these people you where the only 1 who looked a lil deeper in this persons situation and i mean a lil, Now lest go a step further and say your son is a broken spirit would ,start kicking him while he's down? I Hate only one thing really a Thief ,Every time we point a finger theres 3/three pointing back Im a Cristian goin down the left lane and should a been in the right and I had to look deep with judgement and see the imperfections within, Jesus said let the man without sin cast the first stone,I'm not defending just pointing out whats NOT Obvious to everyone.We judge people for whatever crosses our minds at the time all the while talkin PSST PSST Quiet just for a sec AND LOOK within cant observe while flapping and to open our hearts and LISTEN ! Do We Really what a HARDER World. were all 2 hard allready soon we'll be just like them no cons/heart.

Awe shut up... You don't have to agree with his bad decisions... I don't either .. but you'll answer for your nose being stuck in the air , and the judgement you passed on him... Remember that when the day comes. And another thing you should remember is the only thing that separates us from savage animals is our ability to empathize.. anyway you paint it , " POS" comes in all shades of color and history.. maybe you should examine yourself .. I guarantee you it's not a pretty as you think it is inside your own mind.