So-called “science” can (and has!) been used to justify pretty much anything – from Hitler’s ethnic cleansing (demonstrable Aryan genetic superiority) to the inaccuracy of current global warming claims. Scientific method does work, but so often what passes for science is so lacking in rigor it is nothing more than repackaged prejudice. I’d be surprised if this study mentioned in your ABC News link is anything more than the latter.

Moreover, I have no doubt that you – and me and everyone reading this – have broken a variety of laws at various points in life (speed limits, pot smoking, using pharmaceuticals without a prescription, etc). Are we all criminals? Yes. Is all crime morally wrong? I don’t think so – especially crime that harms only the one committing it (e.g. private consumption of soft drugs).

The category “criminal” is nearly meaningless in a society such as ours, in which practically everyone has broken a bunch of laws.

In any case, if the goal is to boast about one’s own righteousness (and others’ lack thereof) there are plenty of ways/forums to do so – clearly including this blog. If the goal is to find the best balance between personal/community safety and personal freedom (for *all* persons in the community) – and I hope this is our primary goal – then let’s quit spewing hateful rhetoric and resume our constructive conversation about how to starve the undesirable behavior.

Personally, I think the best we can do in this situation – without compromising our commitment to constitutional freedoms for all – is to refuse to reward panhandlers with money and positive attention for their panhandling, and to continue the conversation with law enforcement/businesses/the community about those panhandlers that are particularly problematic so that we achieve enough of a boycott of the behavior that they leave for greener pastures.

Of course, as others have said, any aggressive or violent behavior should be immediately reported.

Some people take things way too far and I hate to see it on all sides (both regarding the panhandling/safety discussion and the whole hippies vs yuppies thing- why do we have to categorize and generalize?). I love living in this neighborhood and do want to keep a balance, while helping to make it a safe and pleasant place to live. And while I may spend time complaining on this blog, I am also committed to being involved in the community and was one of the few who left work early to attend the safety seminar. I encourage everyone who cares about this neighborhood (like I do) to get involved and to continue to have a civil discussion on this blog (and elsewhere) without resorting to the use of personal insults, stereotypes, generalizations, etc, etc. I know that is probably unlikely, but what can I say- I am an idealist.

There is a whole lot of entitlement going on around here- the old timers feeling entitled to their neighborhood being kept from inevitable change because they were here first and the newcomers feeling entitled to whatever they want simply because they have some money. It’s all just very silly!

Ann is an expert in using google, and only looking to the second listing in the results. I am sure she did not write a thesis at Harvard on genetics. She was also selcetive in not posting other listings that debunked the whole theory.

She is right in one respect, you can’t argure with science, especially when it is arguing with itself on the subject!

I am no expert, but quickly found from Ann’s post that even if you believe there is a this more “agressive” gene you also need some some of nurturing problem for it to manifest! So there is a role for nurturing, even under Ann’s second rate science.

My comments are not meant to be sarcastic, and of course you have every right to be concern about your child.

But put the concern in perspective. If you are contemplating moving out the community because you fear for your child “being stabbed”, then you are leaving a good community for the wrong reasons. A child being stabbed with a syringe by a panhandler is unlikely to happen.

Of course I do not have the statistics sitting next to my computer, but I would wager that your child is statistically more likey to suffer some sort of harm somewhere else and by someone else. Be it a perverted uncle, some pedophile teacher at school, another trusted family friend, or from being harmed in a car accident from a drunk driver.

I too am a new resident, non-artist, that has brought money to this neighborhood, so this is not some go home yuppie jab at you.

“British scientists discover ‘criminal’ gene”

Sorry to get all Darwinian again, but you can’t argue with science…

Why are these people (limpy, wheely. cracky etc) always hanging out in the same spot? They come because this is a wealthy neighborhood and beg the residents for their change.

If their presence was a bit more sporadic, it probably wouldn’t be a big deal. However, since they make a daily habit of setting up shop on the corners of Peas and Pickles, they must be removed, with force if possible.

I have seen Smokey getting off the F train on my way into work in the morning, which leads to the assumption that he is commuting to “work” each day. So he is obviously not selecting his target area at random.

This neighborhood is too small to deal with this issue and it must be resolved.

I always appreciate your posts, even the ones I may diagree with. You state your concerns well, and seem to seek some sort of balance. I also totally understand a mothers concern; my own mother is rather over protective (a recent head cold experience) of me and I am in my 40s:)

I see that you not where Ann is on what is “innate”. While you may not categorize or generalize, others do. That is why she generated a what you called a snarky comment.

I think it interesting when given an out to simply state that hardcore drug abusers are more likely to commit a crime, she chose instead to become Darwinian. Given that, the move to out comment may not be snarky at all.

The sum of many comments over the last month, is that there are more than few people here that have a warped social views. Ann’s post is included.

New residents like me have brought money, amenities, cleaner streets and a higher quality of life to Dumbo. Older residents and ‘artists’ need to realise how grateful they should be.