Special Needs guy beat up over his GTA 5 copy

[Berny Marcus]

It's amazing how despicable, and ridiculous people can be like this. I'm glad he is ok and will be able to play GTA V. God bless him.

 

[Frankster]

Heh this reminds me of the time i got mugged in london for my final fantasy 7 game at the bus stop by a group of older kids.

Except, it was far more civlized and at least the mugger seemed genuinely interested in playing the game (even gave him tips on certain secrets like breeding golden chocobos to get knights of round materia), wasn't thrilled on losing the game but i had at least beaten it a few times. Also im not a special needs person but its not like one can tell just by looking now is it?

Anyways more ammo for my "i really dont want to travel to america, ever" stance, seriously when i read this kinda stories it makes me think of a kafkatian world where nothing makes sense and people act according to a logic only a madman could follow.

 

[Psychobabble]

Poor guy. Glad they caught the jerks.

'sigh' And here we have another instance of GTA making people act violently towards their fellow human beings.

 

[LegendaryVKickr]

Appalling. Not just some random hoodlum who robbed the man, mind you. A couple, with four children of their own. It's hard to believe parents, of all people, would be the culprits. I pray for their children.

Also sickening is some of the comments on the article, criticizing a special needs person being able to play GTA V. Seriously? I have ADHD and Aspergers, among other things, and I'm just as entitled as Dawkins, or anybody else, for that matter, to do what I like. If that's playing GTA, so be it.

 

[barbzilla]

The fact that they decided their needs are more important than this gentleman who works hard on the weekends for Home Depot and then does a special education crossover class (trying to prepare him for the real world) all week long just flat out disgusts me. I am glad I wasn't a cop on that case, because I don't think I could have held myself back. I grew up special needs (severe ADHD that continues to plague my life, though my intelligence makes me able to function in society), and I currently volunteer my time to help troubled youth with special needs (mostly ADHD) and Autistic adults, so this hits me at a personal level (which is why I felt I needed to post this news story, even though I generally don't make threads).

Well, yes, obviously it's repulsive. Which is why I made a joke, instead of just saying "repulsive!", which is super redundant and thus not terribly interesting to anyone.

It does strike me as a rather comically inept robbery though. So many charges accrued for such a miniscule payoff. I guess the intelligent criminals are the ones that don't get caught, though.

I don't disagree with you about it being unnecessary to call it repugnant as it becomes redundant due to the implied morality of the action, I was only providing some background and a bit more about my thoughts and feelings on the situation (since I didn't do so in the OP).

Appalling. Not just some random hoodlum who robbed the man, mind you. A couple, with four children of their own. It's hard to believe parents, of all people, would be the culprits. I pray for their children.

Also sickening is some of the comments on the article, criticizing a special needs person being able to play GTA V. Seriously? I have ADHD and Aspergers, among other things, and I'm just as entitled as Dawkins, or anybody else, for that matter, to do what I like. If that's playing GTA, so be it.

Its crazy that people immediately think that because someone is special needs, they are unable to process morality. To be perfectly honest, most of us with special needs tend to adhere to a stricter sense of morality than those without special needs (due to having grown up on the other end of that poking and prodding). People can't seem to differentiate between psychopathic and abnormal psyche for some reason.

 

[Requiem191]

I am fucking appalled at this shit. This is just... I don't have words. Fuck this, fuck them.

 

[ReinWeisserRitter]

That strikes me as very cruel and petty, and extremely moronic. I'm really surprised some people would do that, especially considering how little they'd get in the bargain.

Depending on where you're from, you see or hear about things like this all the time. I'm from New York City, and in the really rough stretches of say Brooklyn or The Bronx, people have lost their lives for far less material things than a video game. Pretty sure there others in different cities who could say the same. It's a sad truth.

And that right there is why I'm glad I'm nowhere near America.

Don't be an ass. I've lived in Arizona for seventeen years, a state that's likely bigger by itself than whatever country you live in, and have never come close to seeing such a thing, and can say with reasonable certainty that if someone saw it happen, they'd do something about it. I wouldn't stand idly by, either.

The United States is a massive place with as many demographics as entire continents. One shitty spot the relative size of a dime doesn't reflect the whole. I have no love for the country myself, but your statement is just hateful and ignorant for the sake of being hateful and ignorant, and we could use a lot less of both in this world.

 

[BathorysGraveland2]

Well, depending on what she looks like, that female of the couple can kick me and take my games as much as she likes.. he he.

Half-joking, half-serious comments aside, yeah it's pretty lame. Robbing someone is bad enough, but for such a petty reason as a video game? They'll make $30 if they're lucky. It's just such a short-sighted choice to make.

 

[fix-the-spade]

If you're going to go to all the trouble to rob a special needs man, I'd hope you'd make off with more than just a single video game to return to Gamestop. Their exchange rates are horrible. It would barely pay for the gas used in the robbery.

Given that thieves aren't known for the bravery or brains, it makes sense they would pick on the most vulnerable person they could but also fail to exploit that properly. It's properly low to target someone who wants the game so bad they've been paying in installments for it (also, that Gamestop must have the most patient manager in the world, so we know s/he's nice if nothing else).

It's shame these people never pick on the two six foot five guys in Marine T-shirts, that would be a great newsreel.

 

[Rob Robson]

Wait, so fill me in, is "special needs man" newfangled slang for "disabled" and how did it catch on so fast? This is highly suspicious.

 

[WWmelb]

"I would let them know that it wasn't nice, and it hurt me," Dawkins said Thursday.

This literally brought tears to my eyes. Of all the things he could have to say about being robbed, it was this.

It's beautiful and painful and i would love to be left alone with those two people for a little while.

Glad he received another copy of GTA and i hope that the experience hasn't soured his taste for it.

I feel i should send him some other games i no longer play. Shame i have no idea if he bought the xbox or ps3 version though.

If anyone can find a reference to what version it was, and it's ps3, i'm a send this chap some freebies.

 

[WWmelb]

That strikes me as very cruel and petty, and extremely moronic. I'm really surprised some people would do that, especially considering how little they'd get in the bargain.

Depending on where you're from, you see or hear about things like this all the time. I'm from New York City, and in the really rough stretches of say Brooklyn or The Bronx, people have lost their lives for far less material things than a video game. Pretty sure there others in different cities who could say the same. It's a sad truth.

And that right there is why I'm glad I'm nowhere near America.

Don't be an ass. I've lived in Arizona for seventeen years, a state that's likely bigger by itself than whatever country you live in, and have never come close to seeing such a thing, and can say with reasonable certainty that if someone saw it happen, they'd do something about it. I wouldn't stand idly by, either.

The United States is a massive place with as many demographics as entire continents. One shitty spot the relative size of a dime doesn't reflect the whole. I have no love for the country myself, but your statement is just hateful and ignorant for the sake of being hateful and ignorant, and we could use a lot less of both in this world.

I have travelled to the US three times and i must say, overall, the random encounters with strangers in the US i had were a hell of a lot less hostile than i get in Melbourne Australia.

Most people were friendly straight away, and then almost scarily friendly when they realised i was an Aussie.

Even the quite intimidating Puerto Rican gang i accidently stumbled across in Miami were really helpful when i asked for directions back to my hotel. Even bought me a hotdog.

 

[MammothBlade]

Ahh, brings a tear to my eye to see entitled gamers getting more than they asked for. You've got special needs? Well I do too pal, now give me that game! *thump*

Kidding.

In all seriousness this is a heinous act perpetuated by the most petty of villains. Zvarri!

 

[MysticSlayer]

I was saying to myself as I read the OP, "PLEASE DON'T LET THIS BE IN FLORIDA..."

And then I see Palm Beach in the link. Oh God, what the true and actual fuck is wrong with that state.

More specifically, this took place in Delray Beach (i.e. a city within Palm Beach County, one of the largest counties in the nation), which is a pretty dangerous area to begin with [http://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Delray-Beach-Florida.html]. By the way, as someone who lived in the West Palm Beach area, those statistics are reflected in how nasty of a reputation that area has.

The most ridiculous acts of violence, ignorance and flat out stupidity all seem to culminate from that one stretch of land. the guy eating a man's face off, the Facebook murderer.

So you're judging the entire state based off of Miami. Miami! That would be equivalent to judging the United States based on Chicago or Detroit. In other words, you're taking crimes committed in the worst city in the state, a city so bad it is notorious state-wide for how dangerous it is, and basing the whole state off of them. (Hint: If you have enough crimes, eventually you'll get one worthy of national news.) Actually, as someone who's lived there, I can tell you that it actually isn't as bad as people make it out to be. You just have to know where not to go and take precaution at all time, but precautions are something to take in any major metropolitan area.

Basically, it would probably be a good idea to see the state on the whole before you go judging it, especially when your examples are coming from places people in the state don't even like. Well, people like Miami, but it is very selective, both in the area of the city and the time you do it, as it does have the most to do in the area.

Ironically, if you ever have nothing better to watch at 2AM and "World's Dumbest" comes on, most of the footage comes from FLORIDA.

Yes, because judging a state that attracts a huge Spring Breakers audience off of a show that thrives on the dumbest of the dumbest of Spring Breakers is a great idea!

Nobody will ever top South Florida! My personal favorite is people loading mattresses onto the roof of their car, thinking they'll be able to hold onto it with their hands. This includes the driver. I think we invented that one.

RESPECT!

Wait, South Florida? Are you talking, more specifically, about Miami?

OT: I'm really glad the guy made it out OK and got the game he worked so hard for. Seriously, I've worked with handicapped people in the past, and it's rather moving how hard they work to overcome their disability and function normally. It's really sickening that someone would assault him, or anyone, for a game, but this sort of highlights just how little consideration some people have.

 

[Headsprouter]

Hmmm. I can see their cunning thought process. I wouldn't be surprised if they chose the guy specifically because they knew he was disabled. I hope he could enjoy the game as much as he would have if he got it without this scumbaggery taking place.

I hope people recognise these people didn't even want to play the game and this doesn't make GTA look even worse.

 

[Lilani]

Wait, so fill me in, is "special needs man" newfangled slang for "disabled" and how did it catch on so fast? This is highly suspicious.

"Special needs" has existed as a term for quite a while now. My mom works at an elementary school, and the classes that deal with the mentally disabled has been called "special education" and the students called "special needs" for a while now. I'm guessing it was decided "disabled" was too negative. While it may be a medically accurate descriptor of what's going on, it's not exactly doing much good when you're trying to help them push their boundaries and become the best they can be. Another reason could be "disabled" could easily become mixed up with physically disabled out of context.

 

[Psychobabble]

Wait, so fill me in, is "special needs man" newfangled slang for "disabled" and how did it catch on so fast? This is highly suspicious.

"Special needs" has existed as a term for quite a while now. My mom works at an elementary school, and the classes that deal with the mentally disabled has been called "special education" and the students called "special needs" for a while now. I'm guessing it was decided "disabled" was too negative. While it may be a medically accurate descriptor of what's going on, it's not exactly doing much good when you're trying to help them push their boundaries and become the best they can be. Another reason could be "disabled" could easily become mixed up with physically disabled out of context.

I think it comes down to the word disabled conveying in some way the person in question is defective. Whereas special needs implies that the individual in question is still a functioning person, they just need assistance for completing some tasks.

 

[Lilani]

I think it comes down to the word disabled conveying in some way the person in question is defective. Whereas special needs implies that the individual in question is still a functioning person, they just need assistance for completing some tasks.

Ah yes, I much prefer that explanation Thank you.

 

[Epicspoon]

As messed up as this is I find it hilariously ironic that the police gave the victim a free brand new copy of GTA.

 

[Frezzato]

[...]

Wait, South Florida? Are you talking, more specifically, about Miami?

I've seen the whole 'let's hold the mattress on the roof with our hands' deal just about all over South Florida, but I guess for geography's sake I'll say Dade/Broward, since the West coast doesn't count. Miami does take the cake though, as I've seen the vast majority of cheeseball things in Miami. Second to the mattress nonsense is people towing cars in neutral, tied with rope to another car that shouldn't be towing anything (as in, no towing hitch).