Safety

[PsYcHo]

I think the US is worse than where I live, but I don't think the crime rates are exceptionally high on a worldwide scale; it's much worse in south america, for example.

Thanks for the input.

You should be aware that there is no country in the European Union with a higher homicide rate than the US.

I'm sure that is true, but.... what if you deduct the main US cities with high homicide (Chicago, Detroit, LA, New York, Atlanta, Oakland, Memphis, Birmingham, Stockton)

I've personally visited each of these cities, and they only account for a negligible amount of actual land space. The US is a big country; murder rates in smaller towns are much, much lower. My main point is as a whole, the US is safer than it appears, especially in terms of land mass versus other continents. (Canada can brag, but it's so cold there it's impossible to commit a crime and not have the Mounties follow your tracks in the snow...)

What I am curious about - how much does the US government advocate home security? Talking about simple things like getting a good lock on your door and shutting your windows when you leave home.

That's a really good point, and the answer is basically not at all...

They are more concerned with spending our theft dollars (or taxes, as most people know them... ) on advocacy programs to tell kids to exercise and eat vegetables because it's cool (at 5am on a news station is the perfect place for that public service announcement. Not kidding, that's where I heard them) while at the same time subsidizing billion-dollar sports ball (American football) owners; because they need the money.... (30% of my income is stolen(taxed), but billionaire sports ball players get a break, and the best answer they have to lower the crime rate is to arrest people for having a plant that makes you forgetful and hungry. ( Last paragraph may be a rant for another thread, but it's true...)

[PsYcHo]

Then why do so many intelligent progressive people live in the areas with the highest crime rates?

They probably wouldn't if safety were the only criterion in the decision making.

There are many variables when choosing a home, such as crime rate and income potential, and it would seem people would weigh those when deciding where to live.

The problem I have is they (those who live in those urban hell holes by choice) are the most likely to complain when persons like I choose to arm myself against the violence that is mostly concentrated in the areas they live in.

Are you factoring rape into your violent crime rates?

Rape statistics are very difficult to compare. Some countries have an excellent rape treatment program whereas in others rape victims will prefer not to report the crime. Also, countries have different definitions of what constitutes rape. In Sweden if a dude rapes a woman 20 times in a week, it would be reported as twenty separate rapes although in the U.S., it would only be reported as one felony.

I agree that rape statistics are hard to compare, but the last point depends on the state (California, Georgia, Vermont...etc). In many of our states, the rapist would also be charged 20 times, and possibly more for additional crimes. (Imprisonment, assault, attempt to cause great bodily harm, use of a weapon in a violent crime.)

The irony is, in the most "progressive" states, violent criminals are often punished less harshly.

In some states, violent assault including rape will get you 7 years in jail, in others, life in prison. (I side with the latter..)

Is it true that police don't even investigate non-violent burglaries in certain parts of Europe because they don't have the resources?

Probably true in some places but this is no different from the U.S.

I'll concede this point.

Isn't that sad, though?

I really thought I was correct on this one, and even researched. (a bit) What area am I incorrect on?

http://factmyth.com/factoids/switzerland-requires-citizens-to-own-guns/

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

I still don't think my country (Murica! FUck yeah!) is as dangerous as it seems; providing you don't live in one of the main cities.

But I'll concede, if you live in Detroit, you'd be safer in Baghdad.

[Jamie in Chile]

In the UK, you can fight back against intruders and maybe even deliberately kill them, assuming they are inside your house and have entered by force and are attacking you or stealing your stuff are are clearly adults not children. And let's assume your weapon is legally owed. And you can receive no penalty after you kill them. What you can't do is shoot from inside your house at people in your garden, or chase people who are trying to flee your house and then attack them viciously outside of your property causing serious injury or death. I think the laws are reasonable.

The laws are not necessarily as cut and dried as the above, but based on cases I've seen, that is roughly how I think it is. I am just trying to give you a broad idea. That may not be precisely correct.

I think your description of Europe's laws is likely unfair, especially the part of obligation to flee, although perhaps you are deliberately exaggerating and I'm not meant to take it exactly literally.

[PsYcHo]

I think your description of Europe's laws is likely unfair, especially the part of obligation to flee, although perhaps you are deliberately exaggerating and I'm not meant to take it exactly literally.

I am just going on what I have read in the news.

The obligation to flee thing applies in many American states, but not most. And if our news can be so sensationalized, I suppose your news can be as well.

Truthfully, I was being literal in my interpretations of what I believed, but if I am incorrect please correct me. (Seriously, I like to learn and would/do appreciate your input.)

We can't have a dialogue if persons are afraid to speak.

I sense you would like to say more, so please do say everything on your mind.

Agree or disagree, I'd truly like to hear your input.

[Jebus]

what if you deduct the main US cities with high homicide (Chicago, Detroit, LA, New York, Atlanta, Oakland, Memphis, Birmingham, Stockton)

That is called manipulating data. If comparing U.S. vs. Europe crime stats, we could deduct the outliers you mention but then the same would have to be done for Europe, i.e deduct crime stats of Kiev, Belgrade, Sofia, Belfast etc. i don't see the point.

if our news can be so sensationalized, I suppose your news can be as well.

The U.S. is number one in the world in incarceration. I don't think anything needs to be sensationalized.

[PsYcHo]

what if you deduct the main US cities with high homicide (Chicago, Detroit, LA, New York, Atlanta, Oakland, Memphis, Birmingham, Stockton)

That is called manipulating data. If comparing U.S. vs. Europe crime stats, we could deduct the outliers you mention but then the same would have to be done for Europe, i.e deduct crime stats of Kiev, Belgrade, Sofia, Belfast etc. i don't see the point.

You make a good point, but I would like to see the data if someone were to do that.

I find it interesting both of us consider other areas as more dangerous than the ones we reside in.

if our news can be so sensationalized, I suppose your news can be as well.

The U.S. is number one in the world in incarceration. I don't think anything needs to be sensationalized.

We have a shit-load of non-violent drug offenders in prison. (For no reason. No Victim=No Crime)

This is one of the things I hate most about our government;

What things do you hate about yours?