WHEN the police in a small town in New Mexico, U.S.A., responded to a report of a shooting, they found a young couple’s kitchen spotted with blood and strewn with green beans. The woman of the home had suffered a flesh wound. Why? The alleged assailant, her companion, reportedly told the police: “Wouldn’t you be mad if you had to eat green beans all the time?”

Hard to believe? Perhaps. Yet, for just such trifles people have even been killed. Such incidents are becoming more commonplace.

For example, police in many lands find that more and more motorists are ignoring traffic laws. Such violations often produce angry shouting matches that can lead to fights. Why, one thoroughfare in Houston, Texas, has a stretch called “Altercation Avenue” because of the many fights that break out there. As another example, consider what has sometimes occurred as motorists have waited in line to buy gasoline. A lack of self-control has resulted in explosions of temper and even in murder as some motorists selfishly sought to cut in on the line to ensure getting the gasoline they wanted.