What's in a Word?

Police say a man attacked a 65-year-old woman with a knife and ripped the earrings from her body. [More] 

As someone who has spent no small amount of time teaching and giving examples to two growing boys about what it means to be a "man," I conclude that cowardly animal and his accomplice don't qualify. There is nothing quite so low as the type of evil parasite who would victimize those trying to help. The existence of such almost makes me rethink my position on roadside crucifixions.