How would you handle this?

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

You say this like the guys already public information doesn't make him look like a bad guy. Everything on his FB page is what makes him look like a bad guy to me. It is for all those reasons that I am pleased with the outcome of this. He is, IMO, far from a "good guy". The fact that it was not known by most that he did all those terrible things until this incident with Bob means nothing. The information was there and available. The information, whether publicly available or not, was posted by him as his version of chest thumping. That information points to the kind of person this kid is IMO. This is why I believe he got what he deserved.

Steve, this is the exact argument that defeated lawyers use when they are about to lose their case due to lack of concrete evidence. When they have no legal leg to stand on they try to divert the attention of the jury to other aspects of the persons life which may seem out of the ordinary. "Casey Anthony went dancing, Casey Anthony was a bi-sexual Casey Anthony was an alcoholic!" By the end of the day, it is not up to divers to self-appoint themselves as behavior police for other divers.

 

[ScubaSteve]

That is like saying Jeffery Dahmer was only a bad guy because he got caught. I am going to watch what I say but suffice it to say, you are not going to convince me that this kid did not get what he deserved.

 

[Dr. Lecter]

He has no business going up and confronting a total stranger (who is operating within the law) and demanding him to explain himself to Bob. Sure Bob can do that but you have to remember that the free speech principle that gives Bob the right to approach this kid is the same principle that will give this kid the right to give Bob a middle finger salute. You talk about free speech law as if it was drafted for Bob and his scubaboard supporters only.

Not at all. The kid was well within his rights to say what he did, cop the attitude he did, and post everything to his social media sites that he did (minus any postings of his that depicted illegal activity, of course). However, Bob (and everyone else who participated without threatening this piece of refuse or his family) was well within his rights to tell everyone what happened, who this kid was, and launch a campaign to get him banned from dive shops by relating the facts and letting the business owners make up their own minds.

It's those who are whining about what happened to this guy as a consequence of his choices, legal though they may have been, that misunderstand the true scope of free speech. Here's a hint: it can often be a lot more damaging than a simple poaching fine, and that's even when it stays within the bounds of what's legal re: harassment, threatening, libel and slander.

 

[paulw]

You talk about free speech law as if it was drafted for Bob and his scubaboard supporters only.

Here is what I think I would have done if I was Bob.

Please re-read what I wrote, I did say Bob had a right to speak up but I did not question the kids right to hunt or say what Bob said he did and you are correct it is legal for him to tell everyone to pound sand. What I said was that there is always a price to pay for ones actions and be prepared to accept the consequences of those actions and in this case he has drawn criticism from a huge number of people.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

Diver's capture of a beloved giant Pacific octopus sparks outrage

 

[Flodad]

That is like saying Jeffery Dahmer was only a bad guy because he got caught. I am going to watch what I say but suffice it to say, you are not going to convince me that this kid did not get what he deserved.

but will you also agree that whether this kid gets beat up on this board or though social media that it doesnt solve the larger issue. Are you upset that he a) killed a GPO - well thats legal and encourged by law. or b) upset that he killed it in a very popular public place - again this is legal and well within anyones right to do. OR c) the manner in which he displayed the kill and reacted once he killed the GPO?- that I agree is poor and should not be tolerated. OR d) all the "other crap he did in poor judgement" to include what he posts on social media about how he treats animals? - that too I am disgusted about.

My only point is that most of his actions were legal. What he killed, where he killed it, how many he plans to kill, are all legal and well within his rights. If you have issue with any of those, you have the right to be mad but its NOT the kids fault. It the fault of whomeever is responsible for the overall wildlife management and those ar the folks who should be targeted with anger. However, I have stated that I too am disgusted with his actions AFTEr the harvesting of the GPO and agree that we can and should voice our concerns over that as OUR right to do so. His actions showed poor judgement and reflected poorly on Divers and hunters.

 

[Dr. Lecter]

What he killed, where he killed it, how many he plans to kill, are all legal and well within his rights. If you have issue with any of those, you have the right to be mad but its NOT the kids fault.

No, it's still his fault. Legal does not equate to required, and he's still choosing to do it.

If he wants to exercise this particular legal right, he absolutely should not suffer any legal penalties and anything done to him because of his choice by private citizens or business owners should stay within the bounds of the law. But that doesn't mean everyone must just shrug and say 'Gee, it's legal so all I can do is petition to change the law.' As he's learning, just because something's legal doesn't mean everyone around you must be nice to you about it.

 

[lowviz]

...//... there is always a price to pay for ones actions ...//...

and inactions.

 

[ScubaSteve]

I will agree that he had the right to do what he did to the GPO. I will not agree that he WAS right to do it.

but will you also agree that whether this kid gets beat up on this board or though social media that it doesnt solve the larger issue. Are you upset that he a) killed a GPO - well thats legal and encourged by law. or b) upset that he killed it in a very popular public place - again this is legal and well within anyones right to do. OR c) the manner in which he displayed the kill and reacted once he killed the GPO?- that I agree is poor and should not be tolerated. OR d) all the "other crap he did in poor judgement" to include what he posts on social media about how he treats animals? - that too I am disgusted about.

My only point is that most of his actions were legal. What he killed, where he killed it, how many he plans to kill, are all legal and well within his rights. If you have issue with any of those, you have the right to be mad but its NOT the kids fault. It the fault of whomeever is responsible for the overall wildlife management and those ar the folks who should be targeted with anger. However, I have stated that I too am disgusted with his actions AFTEr the harvesting of the GPO and agree that we can and should voice our concerns over that as OUR right to do so. His actions showed poor judgement and reflected poorly on Divers and hunters.

 

[Flodad]

OK, I hear you scuba steve and others.... and I'll just admitt upfront that i know little about who and how the marine wildlife is controlled and regulated. thats where i think the real issue lays. I'll do a little research and get smarter and come back to this thread. I think its a good healthy discusion because witout the proper marine life managment, we will circle out of control. We then getinto the questions about "should we even allow spearfishing at all, or should we only go after certain fish that arent pretty to look at, or only harvest the ugly deformed marine life.... there needs to be some marine life management which allows the harvesting of marine life in a manner that helps the species grow in numbers and quality. I'm not a big regulation kinda guy, but there should be something in place that we as divers, should almost all agree on. Hunting , fishing or harvesting of marinelife without the health of the wildelife at the utmost objective of the program would lead to more anger and arguments. thats nt healthy for any of us nor any of the wildelife.

Dr Lector, is there any hunting that you support? or is it a general disdain for hunting in general. IM only asking to understand your perspective. IS fishing ok?