Have you ever admired any real life killers, criminals or thieves?

Bad Santa · 30-01-2013 12:31AM #1

Apart from Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid I mean.

Half joking there as while we all watched that movie and most of us would sort have looked up to these men while watching the film, I don't think anyone would genuinely support the actions of Robert LeRoy Parker, Harry Longabaugh and the Wild Bunch and Hole in the Wall gangs. Or perhaps you do as some have argued that they only killed those that either deserved it or had it coming to them.

Would seem also that The Krays have never been short of admiration, which I find rather bizarre considering they were both psychopaths that carried out and were responsible for some heinous crimes. Have even heard some say they were resonsible for keeping order in the East End at one point and instilled ethics and rules in the areas the controlled. More out of fear than any sense of respect I'm thinking but maybe I'm wrong.

Ned Kelly is another. A cold blooded killer to many and yet a folk hero to others. Boyd Gang also became folk heros. John Dillinger was even known as "Gentleman Johnnie" and of course our own Martin Cahill also seemed to be one Irish criminal that for whatever reason, had his admirers despite him being yet another ruthless psychopath. Masterminds (a Canadian TV show) even devoted one show to him centering on the art heist.

To answer my own question, yes there are, as I have always been fascinated with non-violent jewel thiefs. While perhaps not respecting all they have done and / or all their actions, there are some that I do have some admiration for. Bill Mason would be one. The guy stole over $35m worth of jewellery mainly targeting celebrities. He once stole Johnny Weissmuller Gold Olympic Medal but felt so guilty, he posted it back to him. Jack MacLean would be another. He was a master cat burglar in the 70's whole stole over $150m worth of jewels and would leave sarcastic notes behind like when he robbed one mansion beside a police chief's house, he left a note on his car that read: “Glad to see you’re doing your job”.

Frank Abagnale would be another. That was the guy the film Catch Me If You Can was based on.

So, do you have any admiration (even if reluctantly) for any killers, thieves or criminals, living or past? And if so, why so.

danniemcq · 30-01-2013 12:32AM

Aaron Swartz

celticcrash · 30-01-2013 12:34AM

Robin Hood and his band of merry men.

The King of Moo · 30-01-2013 12:36AM

Red.

30-01-2013 12:36AM

Shankill Butchers.

Seriously though, the thread title made me think of D.D. Cooper instantly...if he even existed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Db_cooper

harry Bailey esq · 30-01-2013 12:36AM

great thread. id have to go with Ned Kelly.

BBDBB · 30-01-2013 12:38AM

Frank Abagnale

the sheer balls it took him to perform his deceptions right in front of people and the simple psychology he used to con them. He is still a very credible and charming man when public speaking today

shanec1928 · 30-01-2013 12:38AM

fritzil :cool:

admiralofthefleet · 30-01-2013 12:39AM

im sure the ex staff of o connors jewellers in harolds cross think Martin Cahill is a hero:rolleyes:. he was low life scum

shanec1928 · 30-01-2013 12:39AM

stankratz wrote: »

Shankill Butchers.

Seriously though, the thread title made me think of D.D. Cooper instantly...if he even existed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Db_cooper

i take it you never seen prison break then..

Duvetdays · 30-01-2013 12:39AM

DB Cooper, who was he, did he live, did he die on impact from his jump. So many questions that I doubt will ever be answered but what a fascinating thief he was!

castletownman · 30-01-2013 12:47AM

I wouldn't go as far to say that I've had genuine admiration for real life killers, criminals or thieves, but I find it thoroughly fascinating reading up their wikipedia pages. Makes for some interesting, if not creepy, reading finding out what goes through someone's mind.

Oscorp · 30-01-2013 12:47AM

I'm not particularly patriotic, but the men and women of the 1916 rising and the War of Independence, along with the numerous failed and slightly less notable attempts at rebellion earlier in our history, would have to be admired.

slim223 · 30-01-2013 12:49AM

Sean Fitzpatrick

GiftofGab · 30-01-2013 12:52AM

Have to admit Frank Abigale was inspirational. The film doesn't portray what a great conman this guy was. He was so young too. From being airline pilot, to a doctor, to a college professor to an attorney. The book is a great read. He admits that fraud is alot easier in today's age with access to the internet.

I'd never admire a murderer. Read the book the Ice Man. The story about Richard Kuklinski the hitman for the mafia. A chilling read.

michael999999 · 30-01-2013 12:54AM

Fianna fail.

SureYWouldntYa · 30-01-2013 12:55AM

Sean Quinn

SEPT 23 1989 · 30-01-2013 12:55AM

Howard Marks

Wereghost · 30-01-2013 01:03AM

I can't relate to the admiration given to the likes of Jesse James or Ned Kelly. However, many of history's more progressive political figures have, directly or indirectly, been responsible for the deaths of others, even if it may have constituted the lesser of two evils. Pretty much every US President who was worth his salt would qualify (as would one or two who weren't).

Biggins · 30-01-2013 01:07AM

In terms of criminals:

Nelson Mandela
Aung San Suu Kyi
Nathan Hale (America's first spy)
Gottfrid Svartholm, Fredrik Neij and Peter Sunde (if you need to ask who they are or have to Google them - you not deserve your full membership Nerd card! LOL

)

solas111 · 30-01-2013 01:09AM

A definite NO.

Used to think that some of that stuff was somehow justified in some cases but not anymore. Thieving is thieving; crime is crime and is never right in my opinion. Of course, life is not black and white and the uncertainty comes when you enter the various shades of grey.

These guys can look like heroes when they’re stealing from somebody else or destroying the lives of some strangers. Are they still so admirable when it’s your stuff they’re stealing or your life they’re wrecking? Turn them in and lock them up.

wendell borton · 30-01-2013 01:24AM

Bonnie Parker of bonnie and clyde fame, although it's probably got to do with faye dunaway playing her.

McChubbin · 30-01-2013 01:40AM

Martin Cahill.

GiftofGab · 30-01-2013 01:41AM

solas111 wrote: »

A definite NO.

Used to think that some of that stuff was somehow justified in some cases but not anymore. Thieving is thieving; crime is crime and is never right in my opinion. Of course, life is not black and white and the uncertainty comes when you enter the various shades of grey.

These guys can look like heroes when they’re stealing from somebody else or destroying the lives of some strangers. Are they still so admirable when it’s your stuff they’re stealing or your life they’re wrecking? Turn them in and lock them up.

Not admiring a petty theft here. We're admiring the sheer balls, intelligence and hard work put into these jobs. There are some aspects of these jobs there's a part of you that sits back and says "fair play to him, that was a difficult thing to accomplish".

Frank Abigale put in alot of work into his jobs. He could stand up in front of a whole uni class and give a lecture on physiology. Which was all self educated. He worked in a hospital for 9 months as a doctors consultant and got away with it. Where he went home and studied medicine every night. He spent nearly a year as an airline pilot. He worked side by side with other pilots and had indepth conversations about planes with these pilots. He even got a fellow pilot to vouch for him when the FBI thought he was a fraud. Is there nothing there that you find ballsy or inspirational??

BillyMitchel · 30-01-2013 01:56AM

Nah not really but Mark Brandon "chopper" Reed is loved and adored through out the world, I've read some of his books and he is a stone cold killer but you just can't help but laugh along at some of the stuff he comes up with.

McDermotX · 30-01-2013 02:06AM

Bad Santa wrote: »

........

Would seem also that The Krays have never been short of admiration, which I find rather bizarre considering they were both psychopaths that carried out and were responsible for some heinous crimes. Have even heard some say they were resonsible for keeping order in the East End at one point and instilled ethics and rules in the areas the controlled. More out of fear than any sense of respect I'm thinking but maybe I'm wrong.

"Cockney is an area in London where criminals live.The police don’t arrest them because, and they’re very strict about this, because they only slaughter their own. And they have funerals with horses and floral tributes that say things like 'Mum' and 'Stab'."

Bad Santa · 30-01-2013 02:10AM

One I forgot was Henri Charrière.

I admire him if his story is true and if not, well then I admire him twice as much.

If you haven't read his book, do.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 30-01-2013 02:16AM

wendell borton wrote: »

Bonnie Parker of bonnie and clyde fame, although it's probably got to do with faye dunaway playing her.

Yeah that movie certainly glorified them.

Allyall · 30-01-2013 02:20AM

No.

But loads did/do. Dev.

Possibly Victor Lustig

tommyombomb · 30-01-2013 02:30AM

Pablo Escobar, just because if your going to do something, be the biggest and best

Ruudi_Mentari · 30-01-2013 03:06AM

Maybe someone who justifiably dealt with scum, that's about it. Sometimes the punishment doesn't fit the act but they were up to no good, the seed was sown... behead that ali baba for thievin the loaf!! potential murderer

Anyone who deserved to die, you know who they were!!

Have you ever admired any real life killers, criminals or thieves?

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