The lesson from Kitty's tragedy was uncovered by social science researchers who found out that when we are in big groups, we tend to think someone else will deal with it and when we are alone, we will take action. They also know we are less apt to be a good samaritan when we are in a hurry.

So I would say you need to think less about your situation and more about your moral responsibility. Slow down and think that if you were the only person available, what is the right, the compassionate, the honorable thing to do? And let that guide us all.

I think nowadays most people have their own problems within their
family, workplace and society. People are only thinking about dealing with their own situation. Long ago we did not a have hard time raising kids, dealing with their drug/drinking problems and overall relationships with community, family and friends. So we don't want to deal or even listen to anyone's problems because we know we have the same situation and can't much help them. We automatically think their parents did not do a good job raising them. Why should we care! We think those who don't have any problems will help....but no...we all are very much depressed ourselves that we don't have spare soul, hand to help others who are really in need of help. I deeply feel sorry for Kitty's tragedy. We should ALL get out at the same time as a group (even if you don't know the person you are helping) to help those who are crying for help. There is a saying....you can break a stick easily but you cannot break a bundle of sticks tied together. People, stay in bundle. Nobody will be able to break you, and you will be strong enough to help save somebody.

When I was 15 years old, I was kidnapped at gunpoint in front of a large group of people. Nobody moved a finger to help me even though they could have at least made some noise to scare the kidnappers away. Thank God I escaped uninjured. But that day I made a promise to myself. I would never be one of those people. Through the years, I’ve been put to the test many times and have been able to keep my promise. My mom had an old saying: “The one who holds the cow’s leg is as guilty as the one who kills it.” To me, not doing anything is like “holding the cow’s leg.”

Your column is an important reminder to all of us. However, I believe I read recently that the story of Kitty Genovese did not take place quite the way it was reported. Since I know you value truth, you may want to check on this. Obviously, her murder was wrong and tragic, but the story may not be quite as callous as it is sometimes reported, although the murder itself certainly was.

Here is where your commentary goes wrong. You say: "I don’t think we have the obligation to put ourselves at risk to right every wrong we witness, but we should be willing to do so when the consequences are serious and we’re accountable for creating an environment that’s hostile to illegal and unethical conduct."

I say you are flat-out wrong. Yes, we do have an obligation to right EVERY wrong we witness. It is in granting ourselves the leeway to excuse not righting every wrong we witness that we create the excuses that so many hide behind in our society today. So we're only supposed to do so if the consequences are serious? Who knows when the consequences will be serious? Serious in whose eyes? How much more ambiguous is the notion of when we might be accountable for creating an environment that's hostile to legal or ethical behavior. I don't even know what that means. Talk about leaving a door wide open for someone to excuse their inaction.

I remember vividly the Kitty Genovese case. Those neighbors killed her just as much as her stabber. They will bear that responsibility in my mind forever, and I hope and trust they feel their guilt to this day. May God forgive them when they must account for their inaction, and account they will have to.

Michael, you are simply dead wrong on this. We are obligated to create exactly that hostile environment to illegal and unethical conduct whenevr we see injustice or wrongdoing, and there can be no exceptions that give anyone an excuse to slide away from that responsibility. That is what's gone wrong with America today. Everyone wanting to have that excuse for irresponsibility tucked away somewhere so they can justify inaction and self-interest to the detriment of moral duty and community.

Call me old-fashioned, or maybe just too damn old, but I am disappointed in your relativist view.