Comments on: 'Bumfight' Videos Inspired Joy-Killing

Florida Teen Tells Ed Bradley He Killed Homeless Man 'For Fun'

[olypart]

Thank you Mr Bradley for showing us how low people can go by taking advantage of those that are less fortunate. The four guys involved in the production and sale of this CD (1.5 million) are truly the lowest form of our species. Capitalizing on others misfortune in this case truly is a moral outrage.
Listening to Mcpherson feeble attempt to justify his actions pushed him even lower on the scale.
I will canvass local distributors like Borders and others in an attempt to dissuade the sale of this sick piece of work.
Keep up the good work.

[baby_cakes__]

Dear,Blank_stare
Would You Really Want To Do That?
That Comment Was Like Kicking Yourself In Your Own Face Dont You Think?
Bless Your Heart.

[jeged]

Like many who watched the piece about homeless men who are beaten, often to death, by sadistic and merciless teenagers inspired by the "BumFight" videos, I too was completely shocked at the cowardly way these helpless men are ganged up on and how sometimes weapons are even used; as if a four or five on one situation isn't already unfair enough.
While watching this piece however, I couldn't help but wonder how it was that these videos could actually be legal to make and distribute in the first place. I'm not a lawyer nor do I have much in the way of legal knowledge, but the derelicts in these videos, as far as I could see, were not trained stuntmen. Yet they were performing so-called %u2018stunts%u2019 and other acts in which they apparently hurt themselves, as well as others of their same socioeconomic status. Isn't there some kind of law against employing people to do unsafe work unless the people in question are specifically trained in that field of employment? In other words wouldn't they need to be qualified stuntmen or professionally trained fighters to legally do this type of work? If so, then charges should be brought against the makers of these videos based on these grounds. If not, then there should be laws instituted that protect vulnerable people like these men from being exploited in this way. No matter how seemingly offensive individuals as these may appear, smell or behave in public, are they not still members of the human race?

[baby_cakes__]

Yes!!!!!
YAY For coup5.
You Put It Very Clearly.
The Problem Is Way Bigger Then "The Bum Fights" Video.

[blank_stare-2009]

I have a great idea for a skit. Let's duct tape Ryan McPherson to a tree, toss pipes and broken bottles at him, and then set his beard on fire. We'll video tape our antics and have a good laugh at the absurdity of the stunt. Maybe Ryan can be the star in Jackass 15. Remember, it's only for fun and entertainment.

[coup5]

I want to make it perfectly clear, I do not condone "bumfighting", it's lower than barbaric! This is basic human nature at it's most visious level - taking pure advantage of the lower species. However, Mr. Bradely, your presentation of this was one of the most hypocritical I've ever seen. Do any of you watch some of the shows your own network airs? e.g., "Criminal Minds", "CSI: New York", the list goes on, shows that contain violence, sometimes beyond imagination and WAY beyond "bumfights", could easily be equated to acts of violence that occur each day in our coutry. Mr. Bradley, do you join your kids, or grandkids, to watch "CSI: Miami, Death Pool" or "Two/Half Men"? These shows are far more discusting than "bumbfights". At least "Bumfights" can actually be classified as a true "Reality Show", just our society doesn't want to make the effort to help our homeless. So, before you go attacking some young producer that's simply doing what the "Big Guys" are doing, stick your neck out and be a leader - tell the WHOLE story!

[baby_cakes__]

Dear 60 min's,Thats like Blame'N Your Gas Bubbles On That Taco You Had At TacoBell 2 Weeks Ago.!Plz :/ What Ever Happend to Being Responsible For Your Own Actions?Oh Yeah! You Need To Get High Ratings.After All It's 60min's.What Better Way To Get Those Ratings ,Then To Blame The "Bum Fights" Video to get Them .
Oh WelL"Bum Fights" Just Got More Advertising For FREE.
And Yet 60mins Got There Ratings.
I Feel Sorry For The Guy That Died "YES"!
I Don't Know, Maybe The Parents Didnt Teach Commen Sence In This Case.
It Was Something!
BUT HECK! I Do Know!It Wasn't Indecline's Day To Babysit There Kids.
And Sure As HeLL Wasn't Mine Eather.
I Have Kid's Of My Own And, I Talk To Them Everyday About Something,Anything and Even If They Have Heard It Before From Me ,I Still Talk About It,I Mite Get The "MOM I KNOW YOU'VE TOLD ME ALREADY A MILLION TIMES" Thing Back From Them ,BUT! Thats What You Call Teaching And Parenting.Not Saying I'm The Best Parent In The World.But I Think We Need To Atleast Try Harder By Talking To Them Everyday About Things Going On In The Real World ,Not Hide Them From It ..So When They Get Out. Thinking There Haven Fun .They Will Also Be Thinking The Words -- "MOM I KNOW YOU'VE TOLD ME ALREADY A MILLION TIMES".
Then At The Same Time... You Can Only Hope That What You've Taught Them Works.Manners..!Respect Your Elders..!Careing For Others..!Yeah All That And To Top It Off "Not Everything You See On T.V.or Video Games or DVD,or The Net Is Real And Always Ture!

[nbphilly]

In my rush to make my feeling known I mistaking named Spurgeon as the maker of the video when it was RYAN MCPHERSON. Spurgeon is already where he should be and if there is any justice Ryan McPherson and his buddies who think their videos are okay and they did nothing wrong will soon be roommates with Spurgeon.

[nbphilly]

I think the video Spurgeon made on bum fighting is beyond inhumane. It was bad enough that he took advantage of the men by getting them drunk and making them fight and giving them a few bucks for it, but attacking someone who is sleeping and calling it a skit is insane. That man was not asked if he wanted to be part of their little skit. He was assulted plain and simple and as far as I know that is against the law regardless of your living conditions. It is on tape and he should be charged with the crime along with his buddies. The money they made off the tapes should be taken and given to homeless shelters. As for the stores who sell them I will not shop in them unless they pull them from the shelves and donate all money made from them to the homeless. Any parent who knows their child has one of these tapes should throw it away and have a long talk with their child. As for Spurgeon and his buddies they should lock them up and throw away the key.

[d2dolan]

Ed Bradley kept asking "Why?" Why would teens want to hurt a homeless person?

The fact that they watched "Bum Fights" is not in itself convincing.

There is a compelling answer in the work of Stamford Anthropologist Rene Girard. His work answers many of these kinds of questions

I suggest you investigate that body of work. Now that would be a watershed 60 Minute piece!

ok. I'll give you a hint: Frustrated desires = resentment=scapegoat= "peace". (This is also the answer to gang violence, Rwanda's melt down, why America NEEDS a "bad guy" and why the Muslims hate the West.)

Read the introduction to "I See Satan Fall Like Lightning" and you'll find the entire theory laid out in 10 pages.

You will never view current events in the same way again.

[mconcerned]

Thank you Bravo95-91!

I did not see anything on Wal-Mart's website, but checking by calling some local stores.

I do think that these big corporations that do/did sell/rent the series should give substantial donations to their local homeless organizations (ones that give back a large percentage to the actual homeless people), as an apology, it would be good for business and it would be good for the homeless.

I also hope that the people who watched this program in total disgust, thinks twice about that homeless person who they may have in the past just pass by, ignoring, feeling annoyed, or even being rude to that person. Each time I see a homeless person, I want to cry and help each and every one of them. I do what I can. I hope you will too. Please volunteer, donate, and when you pass someone homeless, see them as a person!

Thank you!

[ohstaff]

For more information about Operation Hope, or to support our efforts, please visit www.OperationHopeCT.org

Operation Hope operates 23 units of permanent housing, in addition to our mens, womens and family shelters. Our master%u2019s level social workers work with each resident to help them succeed in their housing goals. They also provide those same personalized support services to an additional 80 households per month to help prevent them from becoming homeless.

[ohstaff]

I%u2019m writing on behalf of the staff of Operation Hope in Fairfield, CT. As a non-profit working to find solutions to homelessness, we were saddened by the misunderstanding and complacency demonstrated by the young adults featured.

Whatever the reason for these crimes; peer pressure, latent aggression, or vindication for their own victimization from bullying, they happen because homelessness exists and those who suffer from it become easy targets. At Operation Hope we know that 90% of the people utilizing our services are diagnosed with mental illnesses. National statistics show that people suffering from any type of mental illnesses are more likely to be victims of crime and violence.
Even without this most-recent threat, our program participants face many difficult challenges in overcoming homelessness. Their primary challenge is also the main reason people become homeless: a lack of affordable housing.

Operation Hope is working hard to advocate for and support this increasingly vulnerable population. Like so many viewers who saw 60 Minutes on Sunday, we were deeply disturbed by the footage. We thank CBS for highlighting this problem and making our fellow citizens aware of the issue. We also ask readers to help protect people who are suffering from homelessness by campaigning your local reps to have the homeless added to your state%u2019s Hate Crime Laws.

[bravo95-91]

Kudos mconcerned. I wrote to some of the retail sources selling these videos.

Last night I was in my local Wal Mart looking at some computer things and happen to look up right into a large cardboard display of these junk videos. Trust me, I raised cane. I even went so far to suggest they setup a video next to them so customers can watch "60 Minutes" replay on them. Both sides of this coin should be displayed. Fair is fair.....:)

[bravo95-91]

"ADULTS HAVE CREATED THE SOCIAL DOGMA THAT CREATES THE STATUS QUO BEHAVIOR OF OUR CHILDREN.

If we truly want to see change, then WE HAVE TO BE that change. We cannot yell, scream, hit, demean, belittle, and be cruel to our children. "

SOME adults (not all) are responsible for the moral decline in our younger generations. Further, we are not in a "status quo". These thug incidents are increasing in one manner or another.

Leedman, I raised 4 children alone. They were taught respect. They were taught right from wrong. They were compelled to do homework EVERY night and their chores. They also got their little backsides warmed when it was needed. My house, MY rules.

Today parents cannot do this. All a snot nose kid has to do is run to a school counselor or family services and complain. Parents are being investigated for what has been accepted forms of discipline for centuries. I am not talking about child abuse. Plain old fashion spankings, grounding, no television, etc. After many years in law enforcement and a juvenile counselor, I've *** near seen it all. Since the 70's yuppie "positive parenting" movement started, there has been a marked rise in juvenile delinquency, a decline in student grades and dramatic increases in parents being charged with STUPID, frivolous accusations and criminal charges of child abuse. This cannot go on.

[bravo95-91]

"ADULTS HAVE CREATED THE SOCIAL DOGMA THAT CREATES THE STATUS QUO BEHAVIOR OF OUR CHILDREN.

If we truly want to see change, then WE HAVE TO BE that change. We cannot yell, scream, hit, demean, belittle, and be cruel to our children. "

SOME adults (not all) are responsible for the moral decline in our younger generations. Further, we are not in a "status quo". These thug incidents are increasing in one manner or another.

Leedman, I raised 4 children alone. They were taught respect. They were taught right from wrong. They were compelled to do homework EVERY night and their chores. They also got their little backsides warmed when it was needed. My house, MY rules.

Today parents cannot do this. All a snot nose kid has to do is run to a school counselor or family services and complain. Parents are being investigated for what has been accepted forms of discipline for centuries. I am not talking about child abuse. Plain old fashion spankings, grounding, no television, etc. After many years in law enforcement and a juvenile counselor, I've *** near seen it all. Since the 70's yuppie "positive parenting" movement started, there has been a marked rise in juvenile delinquency, a decline in student grades and dramatic increases in parents being charged with STUPID, frivolous accusations and criminal charges of child abuse.

Too much govt. intrusion in child raising!!!!

[mconcerned]

Thank you vendangeur & Concerned21!

I am passing on the message to everyone I know, am dedicated to this boycott, and did note to the vendors that they should take a look at all of the posted comments, so ALL comments count! E-mails and letters are better!

Thank you so much for caring!

[carlgk]

During the segment "Bumfight" I could not believe that the parents of these under aged children committing these crimes were not questioned or held responsible in any way.

How does a parent of a 14 year old child not know what kind of entertainment they are purchasing and viewing. In addition have any idea where they are, and what they are doing?

The state is not the keeper of our children, the parents are. If we as parents are not diligent in the watch over our sons and daughters, the state may some day usurp that authority away from the family.

In other words watch your kids, or look forward to a communist state.

[vendangeur]

RE: mconcerned:

I sent an email to netflix. I logged into my account and sent it as a customer service issue. Thank you for posting those addresses. If we don't patronize these stores until the videos are taken off the shelves I think that will at least make a small dent in a big problem.

[concerned21]

Bumfights should be illegal -- and I am disgusted that these DVDs showing the beatings and abuse of some of our most vulnerable members of society are available at many stores and through Netflicks.

Someone has been posting these stores' contact info below -- PLEASE take the time to write them and tell them to stop selling this cruel and degrading "entertainment".