texanron wrote:I get the sense that some folks just don't agree with getting involved under any circumstances. "Good Samaritan....please...that guy might have a gun....I'll just call someone and hope they're ok by the time the authorities get here."
I understand what you're saying, and I understand what they're saying. Every situation is different, and noone can know for sure what theyre going to do until it's there. Obviously a lot of us have the desire to assist a fellow human being in trouble, but at the same time, by doing so, you open yourself to potentially a lot more trouble as well. Each situation has a different tradeoff level of this, and each situation would have to be considered individually to determine what you might do.
For example. Mid-day, busy freeway, you're driving down the road, behind some senior couple in an older Cadillac (that you've already noticed is an older couple because you passed them, they passed you, clear windows, or something that allowed you to see them before the blowout. Point is, you know its an elderly couple in the car.), and they have a blowout in front of you.
I'm pretty sure a large majority of us would immediately pull over behind them and see what we could do to help.
Same Freeway, Same time of day, same situation, however instead of an older couple, in an older caddy, it's a brand new tricked out Escalade with giant rims and limo tinted windows. They have a blowout in front of you. Now I'm sure some people would do the exact same thing as above, pull over and help, however, I'm certain that some others would hesitate to do so, and rather pull out their phone and call for assistance while continuing to drive by.
Same Freeway, late at night. Low traffic. This time, the vehicle is just sitting on the side of the road, with the driver trying to flag someone down. You did not personally witness anything that would cause their vehicle to require assistance, so you don't know what's going on.
Now, the first thing lots of people are going to ask, even if they don't want to admit it: What does the driver look like?
An Elderly Woman: I think most people would stop
An Elderly Gentleman: Less people that the woman, but still most people.
... and it continues down the list until
A Punk High Teens, or low 20's kid, with his pants almost at his knees, a bandana around his head, and lots of gold jewelry: Most people would probably not stop.
My point being that Every situation has thousands of different things that would make it different from any other situation, and no two people will react the same way to every one. Each person will assess the situation, and decide for themselves if the potential risk to themselves outweighs their beliefs and desires to help others.
Obviously, some people put themselves & their families first, and will not do anything if it involves any, percieved, or actual, risk to them. They are the ones who generally say "If they want protection, let them get their own CHL". This is not necessarily wrong, rather they are playing it safe, and watching out for them and their family first and foremost.
There are others that are willing to help people at almost any risk to themselves. They are not wrong either, as it is just their belief that kindness to fellow man outweighs all else.
Most people are probably somewhere in the middle, and decide each situation on a case by case basis.
Just my 2c