Birth of a raider

[Byte Stryke]

I don't care how hungry my family is.
I'm not killing innocents to get food.

A very noble sentiment.
Starvation knows no nobility.


Just saying

[KevDen2005]

I thought the point of the story was to ask yourself, "Who is the bad guy in this situation?" This is a unique social situation that can make losers out of everyone, even when you put two "good" people together, things can still go bad.

There you go turning everything into a philosophy question....

what about the tree...no one was around?

Just messin' with ya.

[Irving]

I don't care how hungry my family is.
I'm not killing innocents to get food.

The guys in the story didn't kill anyone for food either. That would have made it simple and clear cut.

[thecatsfan]

The guys in the story didn't kill anyone for food either. That would have made it simple and clear cut.

That's a matter of interpretation. There was strong implication by the author that the first shot was questionable. "Ralph had to admit that the shotgun had been more or
less pointed at him." More or less pointed at him? So, he felt kind of threatened?

And the farmer's family was not shot in self-defense. "For some reason, he would never later understand, Ralph picked up the farmer's shotgun and the three of them walked toward the house." Ralph couldn't even rationalize an explanation to himself why this was done. It was nothing short of a home invasion.

I am not claiming right or wrong. But I find it extremely hard hard to argue that the farmer's family was not killed because the group wanted their food. If the first shot was taken in defense, they would have walked away after that.

[thecatsfan]

I thought the point of the story was to ask yourself, "Who is the bad guy in this situation?" This is a unique social situation that can make losers out of everyone, even when you put two "good" people together, things can still go bad.

I do agree though that this is a situation that can and might occur that will make losers out of most everyone - even good pople.

I guess the best anyone can do is try to be prepared and then try to modify their living situation to make it difficult for a raider to get the opportunity. Easier said than done probably!

[colocowboy01]

I don't care how hungry my family is.
I'm not killing innocents to get food.

Amen.

[Irving]

That's a matter of interpretation. There was strong implication by the author that the first shot was questionable. "Ralph had to admit that the shotgun had been more or
less pointed at him." More or less pointed at him? So, he felt kind of threatened?

And the farmer's family was not shot in self-defense. "For some reason, he would never later understand, Ralph picked up the farmer's shotgun and the three of them walked toward the house." Ralph couldn't even rationalize an explanation to himself why this was done. It was nothing short of a home invasion.

I am not claiming right or wrong. But I find it extremely hard hard to argue that the farmer's family was not killed because the group wanted their food. If the first shot was taken in defense, they would have walked away after that.

But it was also stated that the city guys were overly fearful of those that lived in rural areas. If you'll remember, the jumpy guys were left behind to cover with the rifle. The guy who went to talk didn't want to intimidate the farmer in the first place.