i agree with you about the moral outrage here being hypocritical, but doesn't this young man deserve the benefit of the doubt?

best case, it was unprovoked. worst case, he did strut around as you suggest, but that does not justify his beating (and i know you are not suggesting it does).

innocent until proven guilty, me thinks...

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"Even a stopped clock gives the right time twice a day." Withnail & I