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February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
August 4, 2009 / 14 Menachem-Av 5769
No Individual Initiative Please! We're Americans
By
Mona Charen
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
A plucky teller foiled a robbery attempt at Key Bank in Seattle.
But the story does not end happily. When a small man in a beanie cap, dark
clothing, and sunglasses pushed a backpack across the counter and announced,
"This is a ransom. Fill the bag with money," teller Jim Nicholson ignored
his training and "instinct took over." He lunged across the counter and
attempted to grab the thief by the throat or at least to pull his glasses
off. The nonplussed would-be robber bolted for the door with Nicholson on
his heels. A couple of blocks away, with the help of others, Nicholson
tackled the guy and held him until police arrived.
Two days later, Key Bank got in touch with Nicholson. A bonus
perhaps? A commendation? Not quite. He was fired. It seems he had violated
the bank's strict policy that tellers should always comply with robber
demands. A Key Bank spokesman has not returned a call asking for comment.
"We always recommend citizens, including employees of
institutions, be good witnesses," Seattle police Sgt. Sean Whitcomb told the
Seattle Times. "When confronted by a violent criminal, it is best to comply
unless they feel their personal safety is in jeopardy. It is possible that
taking action and confronting the criminal may lead to the injury of the
victim or other bystanders."
A nation of "good witnesses" is that what we aspire to be?
Tame victims who hand over the money and file legible police reports?
Mentioned in passing in the AP's account is a factor that may be more
important than any other in explaining the passivity banks require of their
employees: "Police and the FBI discourage such heroics" for money that is
"federally insured." Now we get to the nub.
Federal insurance has doubtless spared the nation the agony of
bank runs. But by immediately replacing losses due to crime, it saps some of
the righteous anger from victims. Don't attempt to nab the guy, just fill
out the proper paperwork.
My husband and I had the experience of being robbed by a
babysitter who found my blank checks and wrote herself the most generous
compensation for a three-hour work shift in the history of baby-sitting. I
was shocked, when I reported this to bank employees, at their utter lack of
interest in details about the larcenist. I had her address, phone number,
and likely whereabouts. Yawn. Not interested (nor were the police a story
for another day). Bank employees assured me that our $5,000 would be
immediately credited to our account. As for the thief no action.
Compensation thus undermines justice.
Deposit insurance cannot explain all of it, though. Some of this
is the bureaucratization of America the deliberate attempt to drain
individual judgment and initiative from life. While Nicholson was sprinting
after a thief, a Fairfax County, Va., man was issued a ticket for stopping
traffic to permit a gaggle of geese to cross a four-lane highway safely.
We see Canadian geese crossing roadways all the time here in
Fairfax County. Usually it's an adult goose followed by four to six fuzzy
gray goslings with another adult goose bringing up the rear. One assumes a
family unit. Jozsef Vamosi was driving to work around 9:30 a.m. when he saw
such a family assembling to cross a busy thoroughfare. "They were walking
like gentlemen," Vamosi told the Washington Post. "Like the Beatles on
'Abbey Road.'" Vamosi got out of his car, held up a hand to stop traffic and
escorted the birds to the median. He then did the same thing on the other
side of the road. The geese went safely on their way. "Everything came out
fantastic," the Hungarian immigrant explained. That is, until a Fairfax
County police officer arrived on the scene berating Vamosi and questioning
his sanity. Vamosi was issued a ticket for jaywalking. A police spokesman
advised, "We can appreciate the citizen's response and compassion for
wildlife. But a more prudent response would be to pull off the road and use
their cellphone. Call the police, and have them respond."
By the time even the most responsive police could have arrived
for such a call (and don't they have more important matters to attend to?)
the geese would have been pate. Nicholson and Vamosi acted on impulse and
I for one would not like to live in a country where such instincts have been
ironed out of us.
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Mona Charen Archives
© 2006, Creators Syndicate
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