Why are people crazy?

Ok... so I am at work and just got done reading the Chicago Tribune online... relax, I have a meeting shortly, so I am actually preparing for that. Not that this has not dawned on me in my own personal life, but reading the paper today it has become even more crystal clear that people are NUTS... I was reading a story and trying to think about what would make a person do the INSANE actions that this man participated in- I came up with nothing. Here is the story: Chicago police officer, drunk in a bar... bartender cuts him off... he comes behind the bar and procedes to beat the hell out of this little girl. Here is the kicker: all of this is caught on video tape. AND there are people in the bar who are NOT helping this chick out.
Now, you all know that it is one of my crusades to stand up and fight for the defenseless... and myself if you get on my nerves. I think I was more appalled that there were grown men in that bar that watched this chick get her ass beat. Don't get me wrong, the police officer (who was off duty) should not have touched her, but dude, where was her back up... what were those men doing just watching it happen? Some have been on the news. They allege that they knew the attacker was a police officer, so they were apprehensive about getting involved. What does that say about us as a society? What does that tell you about those men?
We all have our tendencies, but come on... not allowing your fellow person to get beat up for cutting someone off at a bar (by the way, had she NOT cut him off and he hurt someone after leaving, the bartender and the bar might be held responsible later) has to be a priority. You have to care... a little. Ok, I hope a lot. You have to care about your fellow man... don't you?

I am reminded about another incident that happened two weeks ago. There was a train derailment. No one was hurt, but the trains were behind schedule. There were a TON of people at the train station. By the time I got on the train (an hour later than usual) it was packed. Figuring that I am young and everyone had been waiting just as long as me, I opted to stand for the ride and let an older person have my seat. I was standing up and I looked around me... there was only two men that were standing, all the rest of the people standing were women. I looked in the two cars and there are young men (my age or younger) sitting down while women and two older gentlemen were standing. THAT IS JUST WRONG. Where are your manners??? Why are we not being taught that in that situation, the thing to do is to at least OFFER your seat to a person that is older than you, or to a lady? Two of my guy friends tried to argue that women have asked for equality and if we are all equals then we should not be looking for an offer of a seat. WTF???? Since when does equality mean that you have to forget manners? I was (ok, I admit... I STILL am) pissed. I swear that manners have taken a backseat and really, that is not ok. I was not even looking for a seat. Really, I could care less if I sit down, but there was not even one offer made to ANY of the older ladies that were standing. No effort at all. Appalling.
If I was riding that train with my parents, they would have MADE me give up my seat to someone else. None of us would have enjoyed a seat as long as an older person was standing.
What ever happened to common courtesy?