Do desperate times always equal desperate acts?

Whilst an attack on anyone is deplorable - an attack on a pensioner on her doorstep is pretty darn low... yet that's what two young strapping men felt it necessary to do to my mum this afternoon. Fortunately my brother came along just as one man was trying to 'wrestle her handbag away from her' As my brother called out and rushed over they turned tail and ran - cowards.

Now - granted- these are pretty desperate times for a lot of us - but regardless of how bad your situation is - your fight is not with me - not with a pensioner - not with Joe Blogs down the road as they as not responsible for your situation. You are.
Yes you may have had to flee your country of birth and are now seeking refuge and a new life - you may have no recourse to public funds - and no food to eat - you may have had a hard time ... for a long time.. but even if that be the case it still does not give you the right to mistreat your fellow man.

You are responsible for your actions - you must take responsibility for your actions.

The irony is that my mother is the type of person who will feed anyone - help anyone - offer compassion where all you may get from me at times is a raised eyebrow and a blank stare ( I'm not that bad really.. but you get my point) She's of a generation where people looked out for each other.. lived the Big Society long before David Cameron was even a twinkle in his fathers eye..

Personally..I'm not easily angered - well ... I can be .. but only if seriously pushed - or if I feel deeply disgusted by something - or that some kind of injustice or disrespect has taken place without provocation ( Come to think of it...I really should be angered everyday when you consider these things are becoming quite common place in our society..) But I'm really pretty cool about most things- most of the time..
But this time I'm almost glad I wasn't there - as out of all of us in the family... well... I'm probably the least tolerant in a situation like that - hurt my family - you hurt me - hurt me and..you crazy??

I asked my bro if he called the police but neither of them did - didn't feel as though there was any point..
My case in point... I'll report a lost oyster card if I felt some bugger nicked it
Yes.. one crime reference number to go please!..

I hope this is not a sign of things to come - but I fear it may be. As people become more desperate they tend to carry out desperate acts.. and the easiest targets may be those least likely - or least able to fight back..
I don't want to start viewing people with suspicion but I will be on my guard.. for anyone asking for directions with a map..aided by an accomplice

Malcom X

A little boy sits and stares
To be a man
Of great courage
Of knowledge
Self discipline and belief
He wonders if he too could make such sacrifice
Never accept defeat
To stay so cool under intense heat

To be a wanted man
Equally by friend and by foe
Must take great intuition to know
Not fear
But acceptance
Of what will be will truly be
To let thy name go down in history
You knew
You were free

A little boy sits and stares
How I wish I met you
Knew you
Had a chance to talk to you
To play baseball in the park with you
Football after dark with you
Ask you about girls
Of what I should do
Watch you laugh at my youth
If only times were different then
Yet
Because of you my life is what it is
I have a better tomorrow yesterday
Everyday
My freedom came at a cost for some
But your legacy lives on
In me