PLFXpert

And here I thought you were arrested for intervening in a possible child abduction I still love ya, Walt. Really interesting description. I have never been to a jail. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I love this response b/c as many have pointed out, there are ways to "intervene" w/out putting yourself, necessarily, in physcial harm. Of course, there is still the risk, but that is to each their own to weigh and decide for themselves. I feel the need to repeat myself when I say I would not be able to judge a person either way b/c great arguements and points can be made for either side. Personally, I would rather stick my neck out than not at all. It's my natural reaction and I like to think even in split-second thought I can think clearly. And then, of course, there's the chance to be on Ellen I mean, do nothing, feel guilty (me personally) later. Do something and get rewarded by Ellen Degeneres for your heroic efforts and get thousands of cool prizes and an amazing getaway to Hawaii for you and a guest. Sounds awesome, to me! Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

or even NOT helping. Lawsuits have been fought and won supporting both sides (intervening or not intevening). The question of whether or not one SHOULD intervene or WOULD intervene (in this particular case) really doesn't have a whole lot to do with law due to my above statement. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Only you can answer that. There is no right or wrong answer to that. It's how one feels about it themselves and that is all that should matter. To each their own. I mentioned in a PM I could actually debate and win an argument for both sides (intervening or not intervening) b/c either way you can't really blame or not blame someone depending on how you're looking at and from whose perspective. My point of posting it was pure that NOTHING was done by ANYONE. (Until the end when a group of guys did jump in) PS. I'm dissapointed in myself for not having the time today to re-read and edit myself for spelling grammar Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Quoting myself I wanted to keep my story seperate from my overall response. I've actually been in two situation where it was me pulled over and somone helped. It is nice to know, but I'm also female and young and so I was very hesitant to talk to or accept any offers of assistance. Once I swerved and 360'd into the median of a highway to avoid an accident that happened in front of me. A gentleman pulled over to make sure I was able to get my car out of the semi-ditch. I had my phone in hand ready to call 911---I figured I wasn't in too much danger since the cops were obviously going to be there soon anyways due to the accident. But he was very nice and wanted to make sure I knew how to start my car (I had a manual) in 2nd gear to get me out of the ditch and he gave me a push. I knew how and he pushed and I was out. The second time...I was nauseus and (sorry to get graphic) needed to vomit. Mid-puke a guy was behind me asking if I was OK. I was and he followed me to a gas station where I could stop and use the restroom and wait for a friend. You never know, either way. Both of these nice gentleman who helped me could have been rapists and attempted to overtake/abduct me. Both occured when I was 16. Thankfully both were nice and thankfully I was prepared if they weren't. You just never know either way. My point is that, if you accept that....then why not in good conscience do SOMEHING? Something can be ANYTHING than absolutely nothing. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

The mother whose child was used in said experiment WAS watching the process through a hidden camera. She had tears in her eyes just thinking "What if this were for real??" It was hard to watch her. Great responses, ya'll! Diablo, I agree, certainly we have the right to not assist. Regarding how many calls were made to 911---according to the segment, none in reference to this incident. Nightengale---I don't know if the cops were uniformed or not. I want to say no, but I do not know for sure. Airtwardo, regarding the hitchhiker comparison---not the same in my opinion (though I enjoyed the rest of your response) b/c a hitchhiker most likely if not totally is not in a life or death situation. Most children that are abducted are either not found or found dead. That is life or death. I, myself, would not pick up a hitchhiker. As for a broken-down vehicle on the side of the road, these days most everyone has a cell to call for a tow or AAA. If I were a witness, though (ie: behind them in an accident or when they pulled over with their emergency lights) I would probably pull over to see if I coudl be of assistance. But, I have a panic button on my own car as well as pepper spray in my bag (by no means are these fool-proof) that I keep close to me in situations like this. Of course I'd err on the side of caution, but a child? I'm stepping in. If that results in a knife to my throat, so be it. I absolutely couldn't bare the thought of seeing on television the sexually abused and battered body of said child found that I witnessed being abducted and did nothing about. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

A call? You would think. These people didn't pick up their phones or anything. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

BobbI, got it The acting wasn't bad. I would have thought it was "probably" real. The "perp" was in danger, however, there WERE police officers standing by aware of the set-up situation. So they did think about some things. Walt: That's my point. I could make arguements for both sides, as well. I could even win the debate AGAINST stepping in. But, if I were "in the moment" and had to make a quick decision, particular in this case, I would have no doubt intervened, I'm sure. I've even heard of situations (real life on the news) where people were abusing animals in public. In that case, I would have also intervened. I can think of a case that I did NOT intervene, however. Well, sort of not...where we used to rent at the beaches, a neighboring apartment was a man & a woman. I often saw the woman (on the rare occasion she emerged from the apartment) bruised and bloodied. But, we'd never heard anything. One afternoon, however, I DID hear it. I called the police but asked them not to stop by at that time to question me. They stopped by a couple days later but also knocked on everyones door to keep the person who called (me) anonymous. I chose not to go over there. I viewed it as private premises. Had he been beating her in our courtyard, I think I might have intervened. I can think of all sorts of situations....I once spoke sternly to a woman who, not spanked, but literally punched her kid in a super-market isle. It's a public place and I should be able to enjoy my shopping experience w/out having to see a child punched. I stood there until the manager came (who knows me b/c I'm there every week grocery shopping) and explained to him what I saw and left it from there. I can't help myself. In private--it's your business. In public, it's everyone's business. And that's just how I see it. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I hate surprises Seriously....most all of my friends know NOT to ever surprise me. The only surprise I want is the Publisher's Clearing House crew knocking on my door with a $1M check Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Lori, Bobbie...right on! The whole "no good deed goes unpunished" is one-sided. B/c really, at least in my opinion, you're damned if you do or damned if you don't. I'd rather be damned b/c I did something. That's just me. These segments always bring tears to my eyes. I grew up being very aware of strangers and potential threats. I was always aware of my surroundings. I lived close enough to school to walk to and from (until high school when I got the boys to pick me up). I can remember a couple occassions when I ran b/c of a stranger seemingly following me. I am so protective of children, though I have none of my own. I just can't imagine how one can NOT care or NOT react to a situation like what I saw on the show this morning. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I don't know...adults screaming, I can kind of understand. But, a child? A child screaming "This is not my daddy?" I think to myself---would I rather potentially put myself in danger as well to help this child or would I rather be watching the news later that evening and see the missing child alert and know I could have done something and chose to do nothing. I would not be able to live with the latter. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I'm watching this segment on the "Today show". I'm shocked. They staged a man walking by grabbing a young girl and the girl screaming "Someone help me. This is not my Dad. This is not my Dad. Please, someone help me." And over and over each time they staged this, people just walked by and did nothing. FINALLY a group of guys actually spread out and almost jumped the guy (before they were stopped and told it was "for T.V.") and I had tears in my eyes. I can not believe how many people just walked by not doing anything. I'm not one to stick my nose in other people's business, but I've been known to do so all the time in public if something doesn't feel/sound right. What is wrong with people these days that they'd not be willing to stick their neck out for a child or an animal or anything that is potentially in a lot of danger? Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

OK, smarty-pants... IF you read it AND it answers that question....then???? Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

A lot of lawyers have free consultations. I'd advise your friend see one. Skydivers, non-lawyers, whomevers are not likely going to know. There are a lot of things, I've discovered, that I'd think "No way that would happen" but according to law and good lawyers, it does. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

You know, where you get this sting somewhere on your body and it feels like you're getting bit by something but you look and nothing is there. You even wipe the area with your hand just in case it's an invisible bug but it still stings. Then, just as quickly as it occurred, it stops. And no bite ever emerges. It's just like, What the hell was that??? This happened to me yesterday. I asked my boyfriend this question and he immediately knew exactly what I was talking about and says it happens to him all the time. He'll stare at his hand or wherever and there is NOTHING there. What the hell is that? And how do you Google "Feels like getting bit by something but nothing is there?" I tried that...unsuccessfully Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Melissa. I fell asleep so I didn't see it either. I just looked on idolonfox.com. What a crock! They have this vote where you can say whether you'll miss her, was her time, or she wasn't the worst. The latter has the highest # of votes, but the "it was her time" was in 2nd. Those people are crazy! I LOVED Melissa. Again, Ace the face is annoying. He needs to go. Chicken Little has a big head, and needs to find his way to Disney. I agree that Taylor, Chris, Kellie & Mandisa are favorites. At least, my favorites Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I thought he rocked "my world" Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I'll try anything twice Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I agree about granny helping her into the biz... But I don't think Paris is "too good" when Mandisa puts her to shame Ellliiiiioooooott Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[rant] Forgive me...I'm in a bad mood. I've HAD it with car haggling. I refuse to be screwed. Why do car salesman (salespeople I guess but they've all been men at the million dealerships I've been to recently) high five each other when they see a young female by herself show up? Does that mean I must be a slam dunk? I DON'T think so. I walked out. I was SO ready to drive off in that Sequoia. Bastards [/rant] Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

OK, I really like Elliot... But it looks like his head got jammed between a compressor That was mean. Forgive me...I'm in a bad mood. I've HAD it with car haggling. I refuse to be screwed. Why do car salesman high five each other when they see a young female by herself show up? Does that mean I must be a slam dunk? I DON'T think so. I walked out. I was SO ready to drive off in that Sequoia. Bastards [/rant] Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

That was hilarious I missed that one. Must have been during my hiatus. One of many. #10 was definitely MY reason: Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Yes, lovin' Talor Hicks. I really hope they dont' color his hair. Maybe give it a good cut/style but do NOT take away that grey. I love Salt n Peppa Chris Daughtry is still hot. Ace the face is just annoying. Kevin still needs to find his way over to the Disney channel. Paris is full of herself, but she's good, so she's allowed to be. Mandisa is still my favorite and absolutely flippin beautiful. You know some men really go for that wiggle & jiggle And still...every time they announce Elliot...I can't help myself but to say in best E.T. voice "Ellliiiioooooott" Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I couldn't agree more. I was outraged at the insensitive responses the poor girl, who was so obviously crying out for help, received Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.