Among Friends

[Imadickens]

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@AuntG wrote:

They have shown some on the local news.  Not sure I get the point, but when I was young streaking was all the rage and that seemed silly too.

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It's funny, that's the only "rage" I ever wanted to participate in! It was only my insecurity about my body ( let's just say Donald Trump would never say I'm a 10, if you get my drift!) that stopped me! That, plus my future fil was a cop! lol

[chlema]

In the Philly area it was a 13 yr. old girl that was arrested for this.  Here in Delaware the police are on the alert because threats have been reported by various schools.  Of course it has to be investigated, that does not mean there is something sinister about the whole thing.  I'm leaning towards bored people looking for something to do - until I hear differently.

The sad thing is that the people who dress like clowns that perform at childrens parties and such are now afraid to go out in public because of all this and are losing revenue.  Our newspaper had an article about a 70 yr. old man who dressed like a clown and performed at pediatric wards in local hospitals.  He has been doing this for 10 yrs. and now feels like it would not be safe for him to continue, at least for now.  

[Tinkrbl44]

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@Puzzle Piece wrote:

I read about this in Community Chat.  Something about the whole thing is unsettling.  Are we supposed to get used to the clowns and what if an evil agenda is planned when we are all informed this is going on...........a heinous act?

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@Puzzle Piece

An evil agenda?    Seriously?    If people want to put on clown costumes, I really don't think this will be a threat to national security.

[Tinkrbl44]

Sounds like Halloween is starting early this year ... yawn.

[Moonchilde]

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@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

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@Puzzle Piece wrote:

I read about this in Community Chat.  Something about the whole thing is unsettling.  Are we supposed to get used to the clowns and what if an evil agenda is planned when we are all informed this is going on...........a heinous act?

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@Puzzle Piece

An evil agenda?    Seriously?    If people want to put on clown costumes, I really don't think this will be a threat to national security.

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I think the point is that this is so widespread, with so many different people jumping on the bandwagon to "use" the creepy clown thing, that anyone *could* decide to make use of it, from idiot prankster to teenage girls (done) to thieves/muggers, ra*ists, vandals, murderer, or even terrorist. You don't know what's under the clown suit. It *could* even, conceivably, be a bomb.

Not panicking, not freaking out, just acknowledging that these *are* possibilities, and not really outlandish ones. There are a lot of crazy people out there. The Clown Thing is perfect cover for that.

[Sooner]

I agree completely that if this becomes more common place, then yes, it could easily be used as a cover for something serious.  You need to think about thing like this differently today than you did in 1950.

I know I've been made fun of on these boards because we quit trick or treating and I've said I don't open my door to people I don't know or am not expecting or who don't have a recognizable car or truck marked as to a business.  That doesn't bother me though, it's just a choice we make.  

I am not a frady cat, and go out like I've always done, am not afraid to be out in our particular neighborhood even at night.  But then I don't take some chances I used to either.  

[Tinkrbl44]

Every Halloween there are some dummies who take it too far.   

[Caligurll]

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@Sooner wrote:

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@CelticCrafter wrote:

Every year it seems as though we get less and less trick or treaters knocking.  Every year I say it's the last year I am doing it, then feel guilty and last minute go buy the candy.

This has sealed the deal for me.  I'm alone until at least 7PM, some nights it's later and I'm not opening the door this year.

Halloween is still a few weeks away, it may die down, it may get worse.

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We quit about 5 or 6 years ago.  Too many groups of older kids were showing up late in the evening, too few little kids were coming so we decided we were out.  It just isn't safe to open your door to any and every body.

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That's what did it for me too.  I really enjoyed seeing the little ones dressed up, but it was when "kids" taller than me started showing up I decided to stop giving out candy at Halloween.

It's just me and my dog here, so on Halloween, I turn off my porch light and head for the back of the house.

[blackhole99]

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@Stormygirl wrote:

Thank goodness noone trick-or-treats here in uber rural land.

I would say "Bad Clown....Please meet my best friend Smith and Wesson" LOLOL

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We were just discussing this clown nonsense at dinner tonight and I basically said the same thing you did.

[Imadickens]

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@Sooner wrote:

I agree completely that if this becomes more common place, then yes, it could easily be used as a cover for something serious.  You need to think about thing like this differently today than you did in 1950.

I know I've been made fun of on these boards because we quit trick or treating and I've said I don't open my door to people I don't know or am not expecting or who don't have a recognizable car or truck marked as to a business.  That doesn't bother me though, it's just a choice we make.  

I am not a frady cat, and go out like I've always done, am not afraid to be out in our particular neighborhood even at night.  But then I don't take some chances I used to either.  

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First, you won't find me making fun of you, or anyone who is cautious! There are too many things that are dangerous today. In 1950's most people didn't even lock their doors! Now, we double lock and have alarm systems! I think that although it is custom for us to help kids have fun on Halloween by handing out candy to people in costumes ( notice I didn't say kids here" We get more big trick or treaters than small ones!). However, when you stop to think about it, we are opening our doors to strangers, whose identity can be totally hidden! Any other night we'd never consider doing that! I, personally, wonder if the time hasn't come, for the safety of all involved, to support large group parties, like at churches or trick or treating at the mall or public places offering a controlled setting. Besides opening our doors to possible harm, we let small children go against everything we teach them every other day!

This "clown" wrinkle really complicates things! I'm cautious , normally. I am certain I would be concerned if I were to see a clown anytime other than Halloween night, or at a party. Clowns are able to conceal many things...weapons, destructive items like eggs and spray paint, as well as their identities! That is why I think we need to be especially careful when they are sighted! I would not think anyone who isn't up to "no good" would be sporting a full clown costume when it's not for the two reasons I stated! Even "harmless" pranks can prove to be harmful if circumstances change, which they often do! It's just not a good situation for the clown or the public!