The Tampa Tribune "Insurgents Fall Back" 11/10/04
 

I was listening to Glenn Beck, WFLA 970 AM, on November 10, 2004. This also happens to be the 229th birthday of our United States Marines as well as my daughter's birthday. By the way Devil Dogs, a big Semper Fi from this old grunt! Glenn was ranting and raving about a photo on the front page that depicted a seriously wounded marine being given CPR by an Army nursing supervisor. The marine was readily identifiable by those that knew him and was married because the wedding band on his left hand was clearly visible. The caption read "Army nurse supervisor Patrick McAndrew tries unsuccessfully to save the life of a U.S. soldier with CPR upon arrival Tuesday at a military hospital in Baghdad."  I picked up a copy of the Tampa Tribune and became instantly disgusted and flat po'd. Jane checked the Tribune website but no picture. I showed it to Jane later and I thought she was going to cry. She understands too well because she spent two years waiting for a military sedan to stop in front of her home with the notification of my death during the Viet Nam war. If you want to see the photo, I have it at Knight's on the 'Wall of Shame' in the classroom. Here is the email I sent to the Tribune and, if you are equally upset, let them know how you feel. 

       Your lead story , "Insurgents Fall Back," on 11/10/04 contains a photograph that can be recognized by family members of a dead US soldier in Iraq. This displays an absolute lack of decency, compassion and sensitivity to the families loss of their father, son, brother, nephew, buddy, friend. You chose to bypass all military procedures for casualty reporting thereby denying the family whatever comfort they could receive from the superb support provided by the armed services. My mother went through this in 1966 when our hometown newspaper showed a photo of my severely wounded brother being hoisted from the jungle in Viet Nam. My mother then spent two weeks not knowing if he was dead or alive. I clearly support the First Amendment and have fought to give you that freedom the same as that dead soldier. I am not sure it was worth it to allow you to pursue your apparent antiwar agenda regardless of the cost to the soldier's survivors. You simply disgust me with your callous lack of human compassion. You fail to appreciate the many sacrifices made by the US military members and their families which continues to assure your right of freedom of speech. It is apparent that you simply forget that "the price of freedom is not free!"  Major Norm Belson, US Army (Retired)


 

St. Petersburg Times "Six-year-old brings crack cocaine to school" November 6, 2004
 

This is cool my friends. When our kids were in school, 'show & tell' meant bugs, snakes, leaves etc. This Orlando first-grader shows up with more than $1,000 worth of crack! The child told authorities that she found the bag of a dozen or so pieces (cookies) at home. Here is the neat part of this story -- the mother tells the investigating deputies that the six-year-old must have been given the crack while 'trick or treating' on Halloween! What a moron! I probably would have said the Tooth Fairy or Easter Bunny. I always say, that's why they call it Dope! I hope that the trick or treaters on our street weren't too disappointed. All we gave them was candy!

 

St. Petersburg Times "Man guarding home hit by Ivan kills intruder" November 6, 2004
 

A 77-year-old Pensacola man and his wife were living in a trailer next to their storm damaged home when the man heard someone in his yard at 2:30AM. He went into the yard and was confronted by a 35-year-old man who refused to leave. The 77-year-old had a . 38 caliber pistol and fired a shot into the ground apparently to scare the intruder away. The younger man then entered the trailer where the wife was located. The two men engaged in a scuffle that ended when the older man shot the scumbag several times thereby killing him. The shooting is being reviewed by the state to determine if the shooting was justified. There are some very good teaching points in this situation. First of all, why did the homeowner leave the safety of his trailer to confront the scumbag? The trailer was his "Castle" whereas he had vastly different duties in the apparently unfenced portion of his property such as the requirement to retreat and inability to use "deadly force" until all other options had been exhausted. Secondly, the 'warning shot' was not only illegal but ineffective and seemed to escalate the event rather than defuse same. This also seemed to expose the homeowner to serious censure for his ill-conceived actions even if he had not killed the intruder. Think about it -- not that easy is it?

 

CNN.com  "Florida cabbie kills unruly passenger"  November 8, 2004
 

The soon to be murder victim is poured into a cab by a bouncer due to severe intoxication. The bouncer even paid the cabbie $10 to take the guy home. The cab arrives in front of the drunk's home and the drunk will not get out of the cab. Two witnesses heard the driver yelling at the drunk to leave the cab since he, the driver, was losing money. Not satisfied with yelling, the witnesses saw the cabbie try to pull the drunk out of the cab and then use a stun gun to encourage him to get out. The driver then loses patience totally, and as recounted by a witness, commands "Do you want me to kill you? Do you want to die?" This nutjob scumbag then fires two rounds into the pavement and then shoots the drunk twice thereby killing him. Of course, the former cabbie and current murderer is arrested, charged with first degree murder and held without bond. I think I'll take a bus next time!  As frequently stated, they are out there. Watch your six!


 

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