Woman allegedly beaten by line jumpers at Valleyfair

I can't believe that the people in line didn't help this poor lady. This says something about what America is turning into these days.

I, being a 14 year old, am completely outraged at this incident. I can't believe that people my age tried to beat up some lady like 20 years older in the first place. I also can't believe that her 12 year old son and her 14 year old daughter didn't help her. I know if anyone tried to mess with my mom I'd at least try to defend her, regardless if they were 2 14 year old girls beatin her butt or 2 26 year old men. I know I probably wouldn't have a chance but I would still try to help the best I can.

The sad part about this whole situation is that noone tried to help the lady. Is it really that hard to reach into your purse or your pocket to get out a cell phone so the lady can call 911. That isn't too much to ask in my mind. But then again, that's just my opinion.

I cant fathom how people could just sit still and not get invovled and help out this lady(and fear of being sued is a very sad excuse). I would have gotten involved and not just sat idly by and watched another person get assaulted.

You cant blame the park for the criminal actions of these thugs!!!

I've said it before and I'll say it again. TIME OUT DOES NOT WORK!

Beat the kids, everyone that grew up before the 80's turned out just fine with a good swift ass kicking.

Believe it or not but as a result of today's society people fear for their own safety so they see things but freeze up. I mean look at the things kids are doing now-a-day and how the death cound is steady rising. They arent gonna take the risk of loosing their lives for helping someone else. Is it their fault, no not at all. They are some brave people who are willing to risk their lives for other folks and come to the aid (I am one of them) but unfortunetly the majority of them are over sea's right now. So I really dont blame the bystanders for not helping I blame society for paving such a harsh path.

**this is just my opinion so take it with a grain of salt**

First off let me say that I for one have never been to Valley Fair so if I am wrong about this park I apologize ahead of time. However, park security has been pretty sad this season. I have not been to nearly as many parks as normal, but I have managed to visit 6 parks this so far. I have seen line jumping in every line with no security around to do anything about it. I really haven’t seen much from security. I am very sad at the fact that no one would jump in to help. I would like to think that given the same circumstances that I wouldn’t put my fear of personal injury in front of another persons. And where were her supporters, where were the other people in this hour long queue standing around her saying “hey she’s right, wait like the rest of us”? Did everyone just look the other way while she confronted the girls?

This is a disgrace, and blaming society is just a crutch that everyone uses. Society isn’t the problem, its people, parents, friends, and relatives that don’t want to take responsibility for their own actions. Its young parents who want to create a new non violent society who are so wrapped up in their own causes that they can’t see the drug abuse, drinking, and violent behavior being demonstrated by their own children. And it’s everyone who stood by and let this happen. Fighting back may not have been the answer, but in a society that is so “patriotic” you would think the last thing one could do is support another American in need.

The soapbox is empty now.*** This post was edited by ldiesman 9/4/2004 11:19:56 PM ***

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Society isn’t the problem, its people, parents, friends, and relatives that don’t want to take responsibility for their own actions.

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Isnt that what makes up society as a whole? Personally I feel the media, lack of standards of today, and the idea of "let the next person deal with it" has cause chaos in the world not just america.

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Its young parents who want to create a new non violent society who are so wrapped up in their own causes that they can’t see the drug abuse, drinking, and violent behavior being demonstrated by their own children.

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Your gonna have to explain that one...........

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Isnt that what makes up society as a whole?

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Yes society as a whole, I am saying it's the individuals. Society is faceless. It's a way of saying it's not my problem, it's society. Once again saying exactly what you said "let the next person deal with it.

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explain that one...........

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Parents who are to young or to thick to realize that there is a difference between beating a child a punishing a child. I can't tell you how many times I have heard someone say, "I won't spank my child because it will cause violent tendencies." But the whole time they are giving their child their "room to grow and learn from their mistakes" their children are in a constant downward spiral. Drugs and alcohol are just my stereotypical statement of how I view the majority of the out of control problems in youth. The "youth of america" are also being taught that by expressing themselves they can get away with things. "Why did you get in a fight? Because I was expressing myself and they didn't like it." Sorry, doesn't work with me. If you don't fear the punishment you won't know to not commit the crime.

Now your original statement to mine, we are on different tracks. I can see the protective thought in "society" like you mentioned preventing one from moving in and helping (I hope I would stand outside the circle on that one and help as would most on this message board). I stated that "society" shouldn't be blamed for the actions of children. Two totally different topics. I just wanted to point out that I wasn't trying to create an argument against your post as I understand your view. :)

There are no scapegoats... kids fall through the cracks because people don't care about them. There are two ways you can deal with that...

So is spanking a child illegal and considered Child Abuse? If I was behind that lady in line I'd let her use my cell phone to call for help. Than I'd beat the crap out of those two teenage brats! I have ZERO TOLERENCE for injustice!!!

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I just wanted to point out that I wasn't trying to create an argument against your post as I understand your view.

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Oh I understand, I just wanted to know what you meant about that.

Now im wondering what is gonna become of this situation. Is the park going to add more security or perhaps inforce the no line jumping rule?

Wow! This is unreal. We really need to rethink the way that we raise our children. Kids are learing that there are no consequences for their actions in this no spank/no paddle society.

As for stepping in and helping, If you try to restrain the kids and they try to beat on you well then you would have the right to defend yourself. Shame on everyone in that line.

I wouldnt say shame on everyone in the line because some people fear for themselves and their well being. They didnt know what those girls were capable of doing or if they had weapons OR other "friends" in the park who think revenge is sweet. Im sure those same people in line would be willing to pick out those girls in a line-up but not willing to stop the fight in fear of getting hurt. Now I do question why they didnt give her a cell phone to call for help.

**Remember guys, we weren't there to know what was said to those teens to cause them to beat the woman. AND to cause no one to help her........** (because if I were there and she said something that was inhumane to those kids I probably would have not done anything either because it would have been soley at the fault of the mother.)

All im concern about now is what was actually said...

Yeah, this is her account of the story. I'm not saying she is lieing, but I doubt that no one did anything at all. Someone probably did something to help her out (IE call the park switchboard or 911) and she could have not even known it.

Also, Park Security at VF always seems good. They seem to have a good presence around the park, and seem well trained to deal with all types of situations.

What difference does it make what was said? Civilized people don't beat up other people.

Really why would you just sit there and do nothing. It makes it even worse if you just sit there and make a big crowd and just watch. I would be up there helping out in no time or at least calling security or a ride operator. Well Jeff it is sad to say that not to many people out there act civilized in this world :( .

Coasterbruh,

Obviously, you never heard the phrase, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me."

According to the law, I could call you every curseword known to mankind and that still would not give you the right to even tap me with your fingertip, let alone try to beat me up.

Words do not equal physical contact...

I disagree Jeff, Alot of Civilized and well respected people beat eachother up over stupid arguments or disrespectful things said to people. Plus you can't really say that anyway because who is civilized?

Look at the definition of civilized:

characteristic of a state of civilization <civilized society>; especially : characterized by taste, refinement, or restraint <a civilized way to spend the evening>

From that definition I really don't understand the concept of being civilized. For example, It's not civilized to go to Valleyfair and beat up a women, even if that women said something racial or discriminating towards the girls?

To end my statement, I think civilized people don't beat people, but civilized people shouldn't talk crap to other people and except those people to do nothing either.

I am not saying that the lady did that, cuz noone really knows I'm just saying that I wouldn't be totally surprised if she did.

You're acting your age, Kyle, after you came so far. If hitting people were OK, we wouldn't have laws against it. If what people said about you justified violence, I'd be within my right to go Jay and Silent Bob on my critics.

I don't know where you found your definition of civilized, Kyle, but my American Heritage dictionary stated civilized is:

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To raise from barbarism to an enlightened stage of development; bring out of a primitive or savage state.

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And I must be missing something...the only place I have seen that claims the woman said anything racially charged is your post...

No matter what she said though, it did not give them the right to assault her.

There is nothing that gives another person the right to physically harm another. NOTHING! If being verbally abused were a right to violence where would we be? I get it every day. At work, on the way to work, everywhere. Sometimes you just have to be the bigger person and walk away. Even if she was racially abusing the two girls why does that give a 12 and 16 year old the right? Even if we don't look at the ages there is still no excuse, however, the fact that they were so young just disappoints me more. There is no excuse for physical violence. Life is to short!