It was a myth fostered by Hollywood that western towns were terrorized by criminal gangs. The townspeople were armed and as tough as the punks. Here is a notice that was posted widely in nearby Las Vegas, New Mexico:
NOTICE!
To thieves, thugs, fakirs and Bunko-Steerers, among whom are J. J. Harlin, alias “Off Wheeler;” SAW DUST CHARLIE, Wm Hedges, BILLY THE KID, Billy Mullin, Little Jack, The Cuter, Pock-Marked Kid, and about Twenty Others:
If found within the Limits of this City after TEN O’CLOCK P.M., this Night, you will be Invited to attend a GRAND NECK-TIE PARTY, the Expense of which will be borne by 100 Substantial Citizens.
Las Vegas, March 24th, 1882.
Note that the “Billy the Kid” mentioned was not the famous William Bonney (alias Antrim) as he was killed in 1881.
Frank C. Wimberly
140 Calle Ojo Feliz
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone: (505) 995-8715 Cell: (505) 670-9918
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of ERIC P. CHARLES
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2012 10:46 AM
To: glen
Cc: The Friday Morning Applied Complexity Coffee Group
Subject: Re: [FRIAM] faith/Social Darwinism
Well, of course, the ultimate arrogance of the Social Darwinist/Eugenics movements was the belief that they knew who was "fit", without ever investigating it. So far as I can tell, gang members are, in general, more fit than people in the same immediate environment who are not members of gangs.
If you are trying to change the environment, so that some other set of phenotypes is more fit, you might well get annoyed that the gangs don't want their world changed, but that doesn't mean they are not well adapted to their circumstances. Think of any old western with a gang in it... prior to the wandering protagonist... who is doing better, the townspeople or the gang?
Eric
On Thu, Sep 27, 2012 11:53 AM, glen <[hidden email]> wrote: