Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing, and right-doing, there is a field. I will meet you there.
- Rumi
Speculating a lot there, until the details come out we just don't know. There sounds to have been a history of intimidation and threatening/violence towards the landowner, which changes the dynamic on safety and expectation. Still not justified if there was intent, but we don't know if the landowner stumbled over the two there without permission while carrying a firearm for other purposes and the situation developed or some other set of circumstances. I do agree it does not look good in general terms from what the media reported, but I'm not sure that the description there is at this point justified with how little has been reported so far.
My angst is that a theme here (on the forum) is that the justification or the inevitability of the shooting arises from the pre history, property rights and protecting the animals. Regardless of the what actually happened the only justification can be that he feared for own life. Whether or not that is what happened is immaterial to the "someone had it coming" thinking from some gun owners on here.
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing, and right-doing, there is a field. I will meet you there.
- Rumi
I think that you are correct in holding some angst around the thinking that it was justified. However I feel that it was inevitable, sooner or later, given the growing number of miscreants and the corresponding feeling of helplessness in the population who are being victimised. I hope that the law makers and enforcers see the difference between those who seek to terrorise and the actions of one individual pushed, possibly over a number of years, beyond his level of tolerance.
If you have a garden and a library, you have all you need. Oh, and a dog, and a rifle
Personally I haven't seen much thought that they had it coming, so to speak. What I have seen, not just on here, but on most platforms and not relegated to hunting groups either, Is a recognition that its horrible what's happened whilst maintaining sympathy and a high level of support for the farmer.
When you say it was inevitable, I kind of think- well, Its doesn't take a crystal ball to see this was a potential outcome, and with that, it was preventable. Society is not great. Probably exceedingly hopeless, in recognising when the man alone, needs help. In this case it seems locals were helping him with community, companionship and food etc. And it seems he's held in general high regard. But the authorities should have made it clear that targeting him and his lifestyle was a no no! Police presence at odd times. checking firearms licences and a few tough words and cautions. Maybe arrests if appropriate. Might well have gone along way too making Him feel listened too, more comfortable, and less likely to acting out himself.
Underlined to recognise this part is presumption, and My opinion on this might change if more info comes to light.
Why do I say this? Well in short my father was once a senior police officer. He became a farmer when, Ironically, His advocacy for effective rural support initiatives made his position untenable with the govt of the day.
But when we first moved too the country from Wellington, and into a community with relatively high but normal crime for the time, he showed us that by getting out and showing interest in and preventing the small things, you prevented the big issues from occurring.
Simply just not turning a blind eye to the car stopped down the road, but driving down and asking what was up? Can we help you? Jumping in the car at 2 am when the dogs started barking and going for a drive with the spotlight. Showing up too support neighbours when they were uncomfortable in addressing someone found on their place etc. Not leaving them alone with their fears.
Within 2 years we and our neighbours stopped having problems. But when we decided to leave, putting ourselves in uncomfortable positions became not worth the effort. it became noticeable the effect within our last weeks when we realised that suddenly the local school grounds were being used for dealing drugs on weekends. That wouldn't have happened if we still cared.
Last edited by whanahuia; 16-12-2024 at 12:54 PM.
Unsophisticated... AF!
"Society is not great" sums it up.
Just look at during covid how people were having punch ups in the supermarket over shit house paper.
Those same people likely get on Facebook and the likes(even this forum perhaps) and go on about being model citizens.
I feel for the old guy involved. Not saying I agree with what he's done.
I do wonder if he has thought, I've had enough of these pricks, and decided to send a clear message, and secure himself three feeds a day and a warm bed for the rest of his days.
Overkill is still dead.
Thanks for whoever put up the mini-documentary
Just a sad sad situation
Why the fuck can't people leave a harmless bloke alone?
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