The gray area

Sometimes I think about this area. The "Gray area". I think too many things are black and white. There are always circumstances to every event in life. But I don't think people think about this. Lets see if I can give an example.

I know it's wrong for people to rob and steal, cheat and lie and so forth. But think about this for a minute.

A guy robs a store things get out of control he freaks out and shots someone. Lets see. The guys name is Andy. Andy has been out of work for sometime and has kids to feed. Hes depressed, hes started drinking to deal with it. Hes on probation because hes been in some trouble before. If he gets in trouble again he will go to prison. He has fines, court fees and all kinds of dues to pay (or he will go to jail). He is married has two kids and his wife has been ill for some time and needs medical attention they can't afford. Yes hes made a bad decision to rob a store. He thinks he can get about 500.00 and get food and maybe his wife to a doctor.  He has no other means for money, his family is poor. Hes looked for work and has many applications put in all over the place. Even if he gets a job soon. He needs the money
 YESTERDAY. He has many bills to pay. The electric is off and soon the water will be. He will never do it again and prays to not get caught. Hes made this decision last minute and knows he will regret it but understands at the same time what leads people down this road of robbery...desperation.

Someone walks in the store while hes begging the guy to just hurry up and give him the cash and no one will get hurt. The guy that scares him is a thug with a gun and pulls it out. Afraid for his life Andy  reacts and shoots him. The store owner then pulls a gun and yells at Andy to put down the gun. Now the cops show up and there are bullets flying. Before its over Andy has been wounded and shot two people. Hes going to prison.



Prison from the "outside"



To everyone that knows nothing about Andy, hes a hardened criminal and a murderer that should go to prison for the rest of his life.. To his family he's their brother and husband that in desperation and stupidity got caught up. To the system he should rot in hell. To Andy he's a looser that couldn't provide for his family. His wife will get more ill and not be able to tend to their children. The kids will go to the state. The wife will die. Andy will become a different person in prison and learn an attitude he would have never otherwise and try a few more drugs and ways to cheat and steal too. He may be raped or stabbed while incarcerated. All of these things will change many lives because of his desperate situation and stupid decision. Never the less....To one side of the story hes a bad guy. To the other side hes a good guy that had a bad day, week or life.

There is Always a gray area. Don't be the judge of others.



The Gurney Unit in Tx. (prison)



Yes I know, you would have NEVER done what Andy did! But you also think you will never be in the same predicament. I think being open minded could make this world a better place.

That homeless guy on the corner...You DON'T know how and why he got there. Don't assume you do. The drunk guy on the corner, the guy on the news your screaming at should be strung up by his toes or stoned to death, you DON'T know about the gray area so shut up. Yes I said that! Shut your mouth take a minute and imagine what could have possibly happened for situations to get so bad.

Oh I know there are plenty of bad people that deserve to be in jail for the rest of there lives. But not everyone does. And just because the guy is begging for a quarter doesn't make him a bad person. I think it makes some of us bad people to know we have four quarters in our pockets and cant part with one no matter what the reason!! What do you think were all here for? Two options. To help or hurt? It has to start somewhere.

I'm no Saint either. Just trying to get better. PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION :)