Seattle's Protector Causes Tension in Superhero Community

[cobra_ky]

if you're going to be a superhero you might as well go out and actually fight crime. i'm not sure why you need a costume to feed the homeless.

 

[boradis]

What Jones is doing is awesome ... up until he gets someone else hurt that is.

If you've ever seen "Cops" (and who hasn't) you know how unpredictable violent criminals can be. I dread the day when some innocent person gets hurt or worse when Jones' bubble of idealism is popped by the pin of reality.

There are two ways one can effectively fight crime:

1) Gain actual personal super powers way beyond the capabilities of steroids. At a *minimum* you would need to be invulnerable to bullets and at least twice as fast as the currently fastest human. Also a super-fast brain so violent encounters can be handled in "bullet time."

2) Join a larger organization of trained and well-equipped specialists who are given authority by society to capture and hold dangerous persons. This is called "joining the police."

Mr. Jones, unless you can swing the former, please switch to the latter.

 

[KeyMaster45]

This is the first time i've heard of this guy, is he famous in the USA or just Seattle?

He's not really famous at all, just a news oddity that's cropped up in the past few weeks.

OT: I'm inclined to side with the guy who's sounding more and more like Batman, but ya know it's a little less cool since he's already blown his secret identity. Still, I say let this guy usher in an age of super heroes for the US. Too be honest it's just the next step in the rapid decent of crazy we seem to be in.

 

[wooty]

http://www.reallifesuperheroes.org/

After visiting this site..........I don't know what to think, its like fathers for justice have been at the steroids and pop rocks. How long has this shit been going on? Are the looney bins really so full that theres no more room for a few more?

 

[hooksashands]

2) Join a larger organization of trained and well-equipped specialists who are given authority by society to capture and hold dangerous persons. This is called "joining the police."

Mr. Jones, unless you can swing the former, please switch to the latter.

Yeah, give him unlimited access to firearms. Great idea. I think I'll take my chances with a guy in a mask carrying around mace and punching people.

 

[olfelix]

WTF did I just read?

I wonder how long it will take crooks to dress up in costumes.

 

[ChicagoTed]

2) Join a larger organization of trained and well-equipped specialists who are given authority by society to capture and hold dangerous persons. This is called "joining the police."

If I remember something like that already exists in the US and they are called bounty hunters but as for other places such as europe I don't think it's legal.

 

[ZombieGenesis]

.. what the hell is the RLSH?
Is this some kind of movie? I feel like I've walked in on some alien thing.

 

[Baresark]

I agree with him, you don't need a costume to hand out food. The homeless don't care if it's a superhero handing them food or some guy wearing a sweat suit.

If he wanted to fight crime, could he not have joined the police, or other law enforcement agency, and, you know, do things properly?

That isn't actually so. The point of a man wearing a costume is he has the ability to do what they cannot. The system is designed to protect the innocent, but occasionally, the system also has to let bad people go. Making the system more draconian isn't really an option, because then more innocent people get caught in it than already are. The state just gets all pissy when other people do the job "they" say only "they" are allowed to do. If he hasn't hurt anyone innocent though, I don't see a harm. The second someone gets killed, they are no longer a costumed vigilante, they are in fact a costumed criminal, maybe even a super villain. It's also debatable how "proper" those law enforcement agencies really are.

If you've ever seen "Cops" (and who hasn't) you know how unpredictable violent criminals can be.

Have you ever seen how unpredictably violent cops can be? There are some countries around the world that employ on a private basis, security for it's people. This is no different than me volunteering for a Community Watch. Only, they do it a bit flashier. And so far, he is only non violent, something the police arent. Also, it's his choice to do these things if he so wishes, even at great personal risk, he is allowed to do them because his body is his right.

 

[Primus1985]

Ya know, im actually glad Phoenix is out there doing his thing. It encourages my view of the human race that finally someone stood up and is making a difference. I myself have often thought about trying the same thing but our police force would lock me up quick as lightning. I wonder why Seattle police are so lineint, maybe crime really is bad there

He knows its risky thats why he wears bullet-proof armor and plating. Must be hella tough to wear that suit for long periods. I'd imagine it gets hot and heavy.

My best wishes go out to all the Rain City Superheroes, I wish them the best of luck. If they ever need back-up well ive been wanting to move for some time...

 

[Scarim Coral]

So where does Shadow Hare fit into this that is if anyone still remember him. I don't blame the RLSH want to stop Phoenix Jones aggressive action since the worse case scenario is in that scene in Kick Ass.
Regardless on either side despite how some people think they are weirdo for dressing up I genuine believe that they do it for a good cause. (I read that their cause had affected people for the better.)

 

[ZombieGenesis]

Perhaps these people don't realise just how silly they look? want to help your city? Volunteer to work with the homless, donate and help staff a soup kitchen or any number of community projects that help tackle the casues of why there is crime. Train as a councilor or become qualified to volenteer your time doing social work. These are not flashy, people do them every day week in and week out, but they do more good than showing off in a silly costume to people.

I don't think their actions deter crime or really inspire people, want to fight crime? Join the police. They are more functional than you think and their processes stop you and others from being put in unncessary danger. I find him little more than adnagerous fantasist.

This is entirely true, and that's pretty undeniable.

However it doesn't stop the fact that people dressing as super heroes and fighting crime is both useful and entertaining. Sure it's pretty mad, and by no means practical, but in the modern age what else can we expect? It was only a matter of time before Watchmen and Kick Ass became a real situation.

 

[DudeistBelieve]

So where does Shadow Hare fit into this that is if anyone still remember him. I don't blame the RLSH want to stop Phoenix Jones aggressive action since the worse case scenario is in that scene in Kick Ass.
Regardless on either side despite how some people think they are weirdo for dressing up I genuine believe that they do it for a good cause. (I read that their cause had affected people for the better.)

Best case scenario is Batman.

I'd think the world would be a better place with a Batman, don't you?

Always been pro-RLSH movement, their very enlightening bunch of people. Anyone that dons a mask and cape and helps out, either punching a drug dealer in the face or handing out sandwhiches is a hero in my book.

 

[zehydra]

Anybody remember Shadowhare?

 

[pyroghast]

so this

http://sanctuaryspoilers.weebly.com/uploads/2/5/1/3/2513705/258667.jpg

ya.......

 

[Azuaron]

but what happens when a vigilante decides to crack down on software piracy? Or if a vigilante decides that non-crimes (in American society), like cheating on your spouse, deserve "justice".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_George_Tiller

That sort of thing has been going on for ages.

Hell, why not class "corrective rape" and harassment of inter-racial couples under that while we're at it?

Right, but there's "vigilante justice outside the law" and there's "masked hero vigilante justice outside the law," and we're currently talking about the latter which, to my knowledge, has not resulted in any deaths to date.

 

[CosmicCommander]

**Husky voice.**

They don't understand... He has too fight them. He has to do it. He goes above the law we expect, to save us all. He's not a hero we want. He's a hero we need. A valiant guardian, a vanguard of justice... Phoenix Jones. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8-XarUUxM0]

 

[Thaluikhain]

That isn't actually so. The point of a man wearing a costume is he has the ability to do what they cannot. The system is designed to protect the innocent, but occasionally, the system also has to let bad people go. Making the system more draconian isn't really an option, because then more innocent people get caught in it than already are.

But removing the system designed to protect the innocent altogether (in his case) isn't going to result in more innocents being affected?

If you can trust some random in a suit with doing things the system currently doesn't allow, why can't you trust the police force, people who are trained and with a system of accountability with being able to do them?

It's also debatable how "proper" those law enforcement agencies really are.

Ok, yes, but I doubt the US is adaquately fucked enough to justify moving law enforcement away from law enforcement agencies.

Right, but there's "vigilante justice outside the law" and there's "masked hero vigilante justice outside the law," and we're currently talking about the latter which, to my knowledge, has not resulted in any deaths to date.

Well...I don't see a clear difference. They'd all firmly believe themselves to be heroes.

Admittedly, yes, the ones in costume haven't set out to kill anyone premeditatively, but I still say the distinction is rather blurred.