Self Defense or Savage Attack? You decide.

On October 13, at a McDonald's in New York's Greenwich Village neighborhood, two women, Denise Darbeau and Rachel Edwards ordered their meals and paid with a $50. As is always the custom at stores and restaurants, their cashier, Rayon McIntosh, proceeded to check the bill to verify its authenticity. However, Darbeau and Edwards became offended that he needed to do this and began to yell insults at him. For a clear picture of the situation, click here for the video (Warning: this video is very graphic and should not be shown to children). As is shown in the video, the man responds calmly to their abuse, but then one of the women slapped him. As what seems to be a reflex, he hit her back. At this point, all hell breaks loose; both women jump over the counter and go after him, and he responds by beating both of them with a metal rod. The outcome? McIntosh is fired and arrested for assault, Darbeau received a fractured skull, Edwards had gotten a deep laceration on her arm, and both women are charged with trespassing.

First off all, as one of you have pointed out, is THIS what are country is coming to? Can a person go and eat a meal without having to witness a man being hassled to do his job? Is there a way for one to avoid seeing someone beaten severely in broad daylight? Also, what is happening to morality and decency in general in America? There are many angry people out there, but surely there are ways to repress the violent instincts that go with one's anger, are there not?

This story creates a huge dilemma. On the one hand, Darbeau and Edwards had no right insulting, slapping, or going after McIntosh. This was obviously out of line, and as the video shows us, McIntosh was being cornered and was vulnerable to an attack as bad as, or worse than, the attack he gave them. On the other hand, he continued to beat the women even once they were on the floor and stood down as he told them to. Other workers rushed to his aid and tried to stop him, but he pushed them away and hysterically continued to beat the women. What also goes against McIntosh's favor is that he was recently released from prison after serving 10 years for manslaughter.

Hence, either the women got exactly what they deserved or McIntosh went too far. What are your thoughts?