Programs initiated for the betterment of “certain groups” of people seem to cut too deeply in the wrong direction. If a few bad apples are found to be from a particular cross section of America (wanna see how PC I can stay on this one), then it would be reasonable for others to suspect that these bad apples occur from that particular cross section -- which they apparently have, though certainly not exclusively. From there, layman hypothetical, and notably baseless, "If so..." analogies follow, which compound prejudicial views toward the applied cross section.

In this nation, and really any other country, you cannot help some of the people and simply hope everyone will understand, though that is exactly what we do. The prejudices created toward the group being aided compound the very problem the aid is supposed to combat by creating repression in the group, followed shortly thereafter with members of the group holding prejudicial feelings toward those outside the group -- even toward those attempting to provide aid.

The problem Tom faces in his scenario, I think, should be handled on a case-by-case basis, such as blowing the “murderous lunatic” away. This immediately solves several problems, most of which are layman "What if...?" composites regarding the assailant's future activities, were he not blown away, but, in the long run, it also provides a form of closure, or therapy, for Tom, who is clearly one of the assailants many, and most recent, victims.

I just believe that some people should be allowed to get away with murder,
Dan