Gothamist: Forgiveness For Man Who Power Sawed Through Him

mg

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:07:19 -0500

They weren't transit workers, they were contractors for SIEMENS-AG installing an upgraded PA/information system [that still doesn't work].

ohplease

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 22:28:24 -0500

Transit workers make a habit of meandering along the platforms and tracks - yes, meandering - in groups, doing nothing. It's not a lot to ask them to pick up their tools or try to help someone who's potentially being murdered because they didn't.

dhex

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:29:56 -0500

"The power saws belonged to the track workers who didn't do anything, so not only did they stand around and watch a guy getting sawed nearly to death, they did so knowing that the killer was using saws they had negligently left lying around. Obviously the "oh god, blood's fucking everywhere" response still applies, but I feel like these weren't exactly the most innocent of bystanders, as you make them out to be." there's no polite way to say "are you really going to attack someone with two saws in a city where it is goddamn fucking illegal for law-abiding citizens to carry weapons?" so, uh...yeah. yes, they were negligent, but that doesn't mean you can expect unarmed people to do shit to someone with a fucking power saw. really.

Aristocrat

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:00:06 -0500

Remember when Harmid Karzai was almost assassinated by a gunman? Two "good samaritans" grabbed him and pulled him away. All three were mowed down by Navy SEALS. So much for trying to help.

Blame_Others_It_Is_The_American_Way

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:11:21 -0500

Good Samaritan laws are bullshit. You can not legislate how people should react in a moment of crisis or danger. The man with the saw was responsible. No one else.

mikey!

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 11:59:16 -0500

"Williams had also sent him a letter last year, inviting Steinberg to the strip club where he had worked as a bouncer." Classy.

bluekale

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 11:42:44 -0500

Well... it wasn't quite like that. It was 3 in the morning, and it was in a nearly empty station, not on a train. The power saws belonged to the track workers who didn't do anything, so not only did they stand around and watch a guy getting sawed nearly to death, they did so knowing that the killer was using saws they had negligently left lying around. Obviously the "oh god, blood's fucking everywhere" response still applies, but I feel like these weren't exactly the most innocent of bystanders, as you make them out to be. Still, a Good Samaritan law reminds me of the final episode of Seinfeld...

dhex

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 11:11:04 -0500

"They should make it a law, like in Europe, that if you don't help someone, you're just as liable!" ok i know we love to hate ourselves here in 'merica and can't do nothing but jerk off over how great it would be to join the european union of socialist republics and all but think about this for .3 seconds: - you're on the train. - DUDE GRABS TWO POWER SAWS - DUDE CUTS INTO SOME POOR FUCKING GUY OH GOD OH GOD BLOOD'S FUCKING EVERYWHERE - everyone else on the train who got sprayed and freaked the fuck out because - i repeat - DUDE CUT SOME POOR FUCKING GUY WITH TWO POWER SAWS is liable?

dhex

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 11:09:02 -0500

BigJ

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 09:40:16 -0500

They should make it a law, like in Europe, that if you don't help someone, you're just as liable! I still can't believe those TA workers (contractor's or not) ran away.

Peter

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 09:34:14 -0500

I'm sure a big fat lawsuit against the TA will be filed quite soon, if indeed it hasn't been filed already/