Batman is Partially Responsible for the Crimes of the Joker

Let me start by thanking sherlockmethod for a great debate. He seriously argued a silly topic and I really enjoyed it. He has generously bypassed the previous round to allow us to move on our conclusions, so without further ado... ::Summation:: I will use this round to summarize my three primary arguments for the resolution, as well as show why they should be preferred over my opponent's rebuttals. 1. Joker's Origins When a man takes the law into his own hands, he must be prepared to face the consequences. When this man does so in a warehouse filled with toxic chemicals and firearms, the odds of facing these consequences skyrocket. Batman understood this when he decided, without the support of law enforcement, to assault the Red Hood. A career criminal himself, Batman once again put his own sense of self-righteousness above the laws of Gotham City and the safety of everyone in and around the warehouse that night. The fact that one man was permanently disfigured and traumatized during this incident is no surprise. The fact that Batman would not own up to his responsibility for that incident...that is far more surprising. Batman cannot be considered a necessary protector when his antagonism and fear mongering create the very evil he claims to fight against. He appeared to the Gotham underworld as a monster and out of fear and desperation, they responded in kind. The Joker is just the first in a long line of villains created through Wayne's recklessness and bravado. Con claims this particular villain always planned on escaping through the chemical vats with the help of his mask, but that theory is defeated by both a lack of canonical backing and a cursory glance at the mask in question. In truth, Wayne was as much a criminal that night as the Hood and should be treated as such. 2. Joker's Motivation Villains need motivation; Lex Luthor craves influence, Apocalypse craves destruction, Dr. Doom craves power, etc. When heroes do nothing, these men become tyrants, monsters, and gods. The Joker...the Joker craves Batman. When Batman does nothing, his nemesis hides away inside himself, defeated. Story after story shows the surest way for Wayne to destroy the Joker is to stop becoming that which motivates him. Like a child desperate for a parent's attention, the Joker lashes out at the world because he knows his knight in cape and cowl will come running. Unfortunately for the citizens of Gotham, the Batman never disappoints. It is not enough, though, that Wayne continues his own reckless law breaking in spite of the consequences for his city. He has gone so far as to recruit Robins, merely children, to fight murderers alongside him. Even the most self-involved vigilante must realize the folly of allowing young boys to battle psychopaths. When the inevitable happened and the Joker tortured and, in one instance, murdered Robin, Wayne's responsibility went from choosing ego over public safety to blatant child endangerment and gross negligence. 3. Joker's End The Joker, one of the deadliest villains in the DC Universe, makes residence in Gotham City. Batman allows this. The Joker cannot be contained and his hunger for death will never be satiated. Yet, the Batman stands by. Joker wishes for death and Batman, having killed less deserving men before, has the means, opportunity, and experience to oblige him. Still, the Batman stays his hand. Others have realized that this monster cannot be allowed to live and take it upon themselves to end the Joker. Then and only then does the Batman act - to save the villain's life! Bruce Wayne knows better than anyone that his nemesis will never stop until he either gives up the cape and cowl himself or the Joker is destroyed. By refusing both solutions, Batman absolutely must share the blame. Thanks again to sherlockmethod and all the readers. I hope you've enjoyed the debate as much as I have! - Maikuru (Pro)