This makes me sad...

This makes me sad...

What happened here...?

How did something like this happen? How could something like this happen?

Okay, a woman gets kidnapped in full view of groups of people in a public place and nobody does anything? A group of shoppers stop and watch her being kidnapped and make no move to help at all while she is pleading for someone to call the police...

I understand that I don't know all the details from this article, and I can understand that if I were in this situation I would be afraid that they might be armed. But how much does it take to note thier descriptions and license plate, pull out the stupid cell phone that you bought just in case Grandma decides to call from Wisconsin, and call 911?

I sent this around work, and my buddy Clint says it's called "mob psyche". People don't want to get involved. They assume somebody else is going to help so they keep out of it. They don't want to complicate their day more than it already is.

I don't want to sound morally indignant here (I know...I've failed miserably). I understand the "I don't want to get involved" point of view. Heck, I thought I was the poster child for it. I see a kid walking down the street by herself in my old neighborhood (which wasn't too nice) and thought to myself "I'll just hope the parents aren't too far behind". I see the kids jumping off their roof in the back yard and I do nothing, not wanting my neighbors to think I'm too nosy. But I do keep an eye on them, and if one of them broke their leg, I'd be over that fence.

This woman was begging for help, and people didn't do a thing. There were cars driving through all of this doing nothing! Are we that callous? Is this girl going to die because people didn't want to delay their shopping experience long enough to make a phone call, or maybe pull their car in front of the exit?

I have no idea what I would have done if I were witnessing this, but I would not have done nothing. Folks, we're all in this together. If I don't care enough to help save someone from being kidnapped and forced to do God knows what before they are killed, can I expect anyone else to?

(Note: I'd love to have and would respond to any comments about this, negative or positive, but I really don't see as it's my job. Besides I'm very busy and plan to go shopping tonight, so maybe someone else will respond in the meantime.)

On another note, speaking of those who stick their noses in other peoples business for their own good, I'd like to wish everyone a happy Veteran's Day. Though I do not approve of the current war, I do appreciate the guys over there risking everything in order to keep us safe, as well as all those who have risked just as much in other hells across the world. They have more guts than I, and I admire them. May as many as possible come home safely.