In any case, I just wanted to clarify that I wasn't going law-crazy; I think I just went argument-crazy. haha. I'm not saying that either side is exactly right per se; I just wanted to make a point that wasn't acknowledged. That being said, read the below with a grain (or more) of salt, and I think we'll be alright. :)
If you're a student at UCLA or University of Arizona, you've probably already heard the news about the streaker who stole headlines (and nearly the game ball) at the end of the game. A student at Arizona, Landow got onto the field using a fake pass he'd made and dressed like a referee, proceeding to strip down as he tried to grab the game ball and run into the end zone. Landow's actions have resulted in his arrest for criminal impersonation and if convicted, could lead to 1 1/2 years in prison. What caught my attention isn't so much the stupidity of his prank (which Landow claimed he'd done just so he'd have a good answer to the application question of "What's the craziest thing you'd ever done?" for the reality show Wipeout). Rather, what interests me the most is the people's reactions.
For the most part, many of the comments I've read on various sites mostly agree on a couple of things: Landow's prank was funny, but stupid and mostly harmless; the DA is wasting time and money to try and convict him; there are other more serious crimes that should get more attention; and America is turning into a fascist country in which a college prank results in jail time.
As I was reading through a number of these responses like these, all I could think was this: "Are you serious?"
I don't know much about law, but a Google search on what criminal impersonation gave me this definition:
Criminal impersonation is a crime that is governed by states laws, which vary by state. It may involve, among other acts:
(1) assuming a false identity with the intent to defraud another; (2) pretending to be a representative of another person or organization; or (3) opening a bank account or securing credit in the name of another person without the other person's consent.
The following is an example of a state statute dealing with criminal impersonation:
(1) A person commits criminal impersonation if he knowingly assumes a false or fictitious identity or capacity, and in such identity or capacity he: (d) Does an act which if done by the person falsely impersonated, might subject such person to an action or special proceeding, civil or criminal, or to liability, charge, forfeiture, or penalty; or (e) Does any other act with intent to unlawfully gain a benefit for himself or another or to injure or defraud another.
(http://definitions.uslegal.com/c/criminal-impersonation/)
*My emphasis
For all those people that think the charge of criminal impersonation is bull, consider the definition. He impersonated a ref who, I'm assuming, represents the NCAA. #2 check. Streaking, I'm also assuming, probably falls on the list of things that'll get a real ref into some serious trouble pronto if he were so stupid to do it. Letter d check. So, Landow's actions--while entertaining to many after a hideous game--are by definition criminal. (And that doesn't even go into the possibilities of indecent exposure and so on.) And yes, I know that these laws vary according to state. I don't know what Arizona's laws are on this topic, but the general idea is there.
Having said that, the reason I'm so ticked off at these reactions is this: people are so self-righteous about the ridiculousness of a college kid possibly facing a year and a half of jail time for a "harmless" prank that they miss the underlying issues with this whole situation. In my opinion, this whole thing reflects a serious lack of discipline and the basic understanding of simple law of cause and effect. Lack of discipline because a 22-23 year old MAN (although his actions prove that he has all the maturity of an eight-year-old, if that) should not be considered a "poor kid" because he knowingly undertook actions that were obviously against the law. No understanding of cause and effect because he initiated a cause with his own actions, and he should face up to the natural effect of said actions. Maybe 1 1/2 years of prison time is a bit harsh for an idiotic college prank, but then again, it's not outside of the consequences of the laws that Landow violated.
And hello? Upholding the law is considered fascist these days? If you'd truly been living under a fascist regime, you wouldn't dare use that term so freely. Oh hey, and guess what? You wouldn't even have the freedom of criticizing the government.
People are so fixated on trumpeting the concept of "freedom" in America that they forget these freedoms are only made possible by the laws that prevent people from intruding on other people's rights. That is, you are free and have the right to do anything as long as you're not impeding on the freedom and rights of others. The problem is that everybody thinks that their own rights carry more weight than that of others. In short, we have a major superiority complex which is exacerbated by a mentality of irresponsibility parading under the mask of individuality. (Yeeesh, there's a mouthful.)
Arguing that there are other crimes happening all around the country that are more serious and should elicit more attention isn't any better. In fact, it's a terrible lapse in logic. I'm a bit rusty with logical fallacies, but it seems to me that this argument is one big red herring. Let's focus a little. The present issue isn't that there are crimes that should be dealt with. The issue is that Landow committed a crime. You know that saying, "Two wrongs don't make a right"? Well, in this case, it should be modified as saying "Ignoring a wrong by focusing on a greater wrong does not make a right." Yes, there are bad things happening all the time. Yes, I wish our law enforcement agencies will increase in efficiency. But guess what? Just because there are other crimes happening that you think deserves more attention doesn't mean that it's right to ignore the ones that happen right in front of your face. Don't try to detract from the fact that the guy did break a law (however minor you may consider it to be).
You wish that the DA and company wouldn't have to waste time and money on convicting this guy? I agree. But the solution isn't to let him go without any consequences. The solution is to get at the heart of the problem and stop it from happening in the first place. And what is the heart of the problem (at least this problem)? I think a lot of it can be traced back to what I was talking about before: kids growing up with a lack of discipline. People don't expect to be held accountable on the big things because they haven't had to be held accountable to the small things.
Of course, having said all that (and having had time to let my temper cool a little), I also realize that we live in a fallen world and there will be no way to eradicate the many problems of the world while we're all still sinners.
Whatever your thoughts and opinions may be about this situation, reality is that people will continue to do stupid things and commit crimes (both major and minor) and just be really messed up. We all are. Be that as it may, my prayer is that I can live out Romans 12:2 where it says "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Let's not focus so much on the atrocities of the world (which I'm not advocating that we should ignore by the way), but rather consider first how we can live lives pleasing to our Creator and Savior.
(Aaaaaaannnnnd once again, my writing has gone totally out of control. *sigh*)
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