Breaking: Soldier murdered in Arkansas; Update: Shooter a Muslim convert, opponent of military; Update: “Studied” in Yemen?
posted at 2:17 pm on June 1, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
A gunman with an assault rifle targeted a military recruitment office today in Little Rock, Arkansas, killing one of the recruiters and wounded another. Police arrested a suspect, but details are still sketchy:
One Army recruiter was killed Monday and a second was wounded in a shooting at a recruiting office, and a suspect was arrested, police said.
Police Lt. Terry Hastings said the recruiter was shot when a man in a black SUV opened fire on the office in west Little Rock at about 10:30 a.m.
The vehicle was stopped on Interstate 630 a short time later and a suspect was taken into custody. Hastings said the suspect pulled over and surrendered without incident.
Police said they found an assault rifle in the vehicle.
We’ll update the story as developments hit the wires. The AP reported that police found “packages” in the SUV the suspect used to get away from the murder scene. A bomb-disposal unit got called to the scene, but no report yet on what they found.
This could have any of several different motives: political, personal, insanity. I’d caution against reading too much into it until we hear more from the police. We’ll be keeping an eye on it.
Update: More here from KATV:
Authorities say the incident occurred around 10:00 a.m. at a U.S. Army Navy Career Center inside the Ashley Square Shopping Center at 9112 North Rodney Parham Road. According to Lt. Terry Hastings with the Little Rock Police Department, two enlisted soldiers standing outside the office were hit when the unidentified suspect drove up and began shooting.
Both of the wounded were taken to a nearby hospital, where one of the victims died a short time later, according to police.
Update II: This Ain’t Hell says the victim was a recruit just back from basic training, and not the recruiter. I’ve adjusted the title accordingly.
Update III: The murder victim has been identified as William Long, and the other victim as Quenton Ezeagwula. Keep them and their families in your prayers tonight.
Update IV: Police have identified the shooter as Carlos Bledsoe, but that’s not what he’s calling himself these days:
A Muslim convert who said he was opposed to the U.S. military shot two soldiers outside an Arkansas recruiting station, killing one of the soldiers, police said Monday.
“This individual appears to have been upset with the military, the Army in particular, and that’s why he did what he did,” Little Rock Police Lt. Terry Hastings said in a phone interview.
“He has converted to Muslim here in the past few years,” Hastings said. “To be honest we’re not completely clear on what he was upset about. He had never been in the military.”
Hastings identified the man in custody as Carlos Bledsoe, 24, of Little Rock, who was going by the name of Abdul Hakim Mujahid Muhammad. He did not have further details. The names of the soldiers were not released, nor was the condition of the wounded soldier.
Gateway Pundit wonders whether this is “sudden jihadi syndrome”. Breitbart reports that Bledsoe aka Muhammad will get charged with one count of murder — and 15 counts of terrorism. I’m sure we will have more as this develops.
Update V: Robert Spencer hears that the shooter studied Islam abroad — in Yemen. He’s trying to get more details on it now.
Blowback
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Perhaps, but I wouldn’t do that if something happens to my son.
ladyingray on June 1, 2009 at 3:03 PM
I’m going to just assume you’re being funny. So … EVERYONE wearing handcuffs would “look like your average thug” then?
I get it. So, we’re to assume that no matter WHO had been arrested, the same comment would have been made that he “looks like your average thug?”
So you’re saying that if Susan Boyle was the person in that photo … that she’d “look like your average thug?”
Uh huh.
Gregor on June 1, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Very bad. It is the beginning of civil war when people start killing over political/social issues. No matter how urgent the issue, this sort of thing (and the Tiller murder) leads down the path of armed dispute rather than reasoned debate.
Gaunilon on June 1, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Just note that if these guys were gay, they’d get ‘more justice’ due to hate crimes legislation. Those against DADT because they feel it is ‘discriminatory’ should feel smug in this knowledge. In our law, it is better to be gay than a military veteran. Enjoy it O oppressed gays.
ThackerAgency on June 1, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Wrong person. Buckeye didn’t say that but is just defending it.
So that means all people in handcuffs look like thugs?
This kid looks like a thug?
What about this guy?
This guy?
This woman?
Esthier on June 1, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Sorry, but in spite of Grow Fins’ reputation, considering the whole comment doesn’t change the questions bidden by it. What makes the alleged perp “looks like your average thug who probably doesn’t have abortion as his prime issue?” No gang tats, no distinguishing hair style or dress. He just looks like a guy to me.
baldilocks on June 1, 2009 at 3:05 PM
MB4 on June 1, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Are you sure that calling him a scumbag won’t be deemed racist also? Seems as questionable as thug.
katiejane on June 1, 2009 at 3:05 PM
This is horrible, this recruiter was an innocent man working for our country, comparing him to Tiller is an insult to him.
lavell12 on June 1, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Read into it how you will. He is being led away in handcuffs with an egomaniacal angry look on his face.
I would have also used the ‘avergae thug’ label on a white guy with a wife-beater on being arrested for domestic abuse, the kind you see on Cops.
Grafted on June 1, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Great minds.
baldilocks on June 1, 2009 at 3:06 PM
It’s official. This country has gone totally insane.
newton on June 1, 2009 at 3:06 PM
thug, not thug, whatever, he is the prime suspect in a murder case. If convicted, he will be a murderer. I think that carries a little more weight than “thug” in most circles.
beefytee on June 1, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Agreed. But when shot, they were helping with recruitment, so for those of us not familiar with Army parlance, they were “recruiters.”
More importantly, my heart goes out to the families of these regular guys, who were trying to be good and serve our country. My prayers are with the wounded soldier, and soldier who lost his life, and all those who loved them, and all those who serve our country in the armed forces.
Loxodonta on June 1, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Except that this guy doesn’t look like that. He looks like a guy who could be sitting having a cup of coffee in a Starbucks. He doesn’t have a “wife-beater on”, does he?
Face it. You know exactly what you meant.
Gregor on June 1, 2009 at 3:08 PM
When Kennedy’s healthcare plan needs cover, they will run with it. Distraction, ya know.
ladyingray on June 1, 2009 at 3:09 PM
come on now, there is no reason to go here. Just because you disagreed with what Tiller did in absolutely no way makes him a criminal. You are being unfair and insulting a dead man who will never again have the opportunity to defend his actions.
beefytee on June 1, 2009 at 3:09 PM
They won’t miss the next headline trip to Burger King either.
Gregor on June 1, 2009 at 3:09 PM
:/
blatantblue on June 1, 2009 at 3:11 PM
The man may very well be a thug. If he killed that soldier, he’s certainly a likely candidate.
However, it’s far different to say he looks like one when he clearly does not. That’s the argument here.
We’re objecting to the “looks like” part, not the thug part.
If anything, the man looks like a former soldier.
Esthier on June 1, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Indeed.
Funny. I sometimes say that the “white guilt” portion of the electorate voted for Obama because he doesn’t look like the Willie Horton of their nightmares come to marry their daughters.
baldilocks on June 1, 2009 at 3:13 PM
I don’t think “Scumbag” has any racial connotation. I have never used it or thought of it as such.
beefytee on June 1, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Of course, but I think it’s safe to say that people react differently. I am willing to admit that this guy could just be an criminal or have something personal against these local guys but I think most peope respect our heroes more than average citizens. We (conservatives/pro-lifers) don’t want to be lumped in with the murderer of Dr. Tiller.
Cindy Munford on June 1, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Obama has come to bring Obama/Kevorkian care to daughters (and sons) and to make daughters (and sons) indentured collies to the Chinese.
MB4 on June 1, 2009 at 3:17 PM
I won’t know what to think about this until Andrew Sullivan explains which right-wingers are responsible.
Jim Treacher on June 1, 2009 at 3:18 PM
In case you didn’t know, there are Americans who happen to be black in the military. Some have given their all.
So I suppose that if the victims turn out to be black, you’ll rescind this comment?
One can only…hope.
baldilocks on June 1, 2009 at 3:18 PM
I could say the same thing about our president. But I would also call him a thug, because thuggish is as thuggish does.
Dee2008 on June 1, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Actually, it seems very likely that he did break the law but was acquitted anyway.
That doesn’t mean he deserved to be shot, twice, but I do understand those who would take offense at being compared to him.
Esthier on June 1, 2009 at 3:20 PM
I agree.
ladyingray on June 1, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Don’t get your hopes up. Quite the racist comment, that.
ladyingray on June 1, 2009 at 3:23 PM
I’m having a hard time reconciling the “Elitist” label pre election with the “Thug” label post election.
but that’s neither here nor there.
This has happened from time to time. I do not think it is indicative of a quick slope to civil war, I just think its a misled guy with a SERIOUS anger management problem. Lets not give him more credit than he deserves.
beefytee on June 1, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Believe whatever you will, I know no one can ever change your mind, but the average thug descriptor had nothing to do with his race. It was not so much meant to put him into one category, but to take him out of another, in this case pro-abortion radicals. The context of my first comment should make that clear.
Yes, anyone could be a pro-abortion radical no matter their race, age group, economic class, whatever. But, pro-abortion radicals don’t typically include younger males. He is a thug because he apparently murdered someone, and the ‘average’ qualifier was to take him out of the radically pro-abortion group.
Drink the kool-aid of hyper-sensitive political correctness all you will, it really doesn’t bother me at all if the things I honestly observe offend some people.
Grafted on June 1, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Yes, but does Obama LOOK like a thug?
Esthier on June 1, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Ace has some more details…these 2 guys weren’t combat vets, they were right out of basic training. Doesn’t change anything about the horror of this crime though. Prayers for the families.
AUINSC on June 1, 2009 at 3:25 PM
It looks like a Greyhound bus just got shot up in Cleveland:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,523918,00.html
darclon on June 1, 2009 at 3:26 PM
The issue is whether the alleged perp looks like a thug and, if so, what about his looks make him appear that way to the original observer.
Tommy lotto said it was the handcuffs. However I doubt that he walked out of the house wearing handcuff as part of his fashion ensemble.
The originator of this commented (Grafted) has yet to answer. Be honest, Grafted.
At another blog, I mentioned that the guy might be a Muslim and I said that specifically because of his race and the reputation that black American converts to Islam have. Anyone remember John Muhammad or Hasan Akbar? Now if it turns out that isn’t the case, I’m still willing to defend my suppositions.
Grow a pair and defend yours.
baldilocks on June 1, 2009 at 3:26 PM
I’d be surprised to find out this was politically motivated.
elduende on June 1, 2009 at 3:26 PM
That’s what makes him a thug, but what makes him look like one? Most of us aren’t seeing it.
Esthier on June 1, 2009 at 3:27 PM
and so it begins
bill30097 on June 1, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Terrible.
But Ed, one minor quibble. Do you know for a fact that the weapon used was actually an assault rifle as defined by the actual military definition? That is, a intermediate-caliber select-fire weapon capable of both automatic and semi-automatic fire. Or was is an “assualt weapon,” a meaningless and arbitrary category of scary-looking guns created by gun grabbers to frighten people?
If you are not sure, I’d ask you to please refrain from labeling the weapon as such. To do so plays into the hysteria and confusion that anti-gun zealots purposely cultivate around the issue.
I realize you are just using the term used in the article, but in my experience, neither the media or police are reliable when it comes to this important distinction. I’d bet anything that the “assault rifle” found is nothing of the sort, but just an “evil-looking” semi-auto that is functionally no different than any other non-”assualt” weapon.
CTD on June 1, 2009 at 3:27 PM
I fear we ain’t seen nothin’ yet.
ddrintn on June 1, 2009 at 3:28 PM
I’m appalled here to see how many are dancing around this murder of a soldier, fearing that the word ‘thug’ is somehow racist. Let me ask: who made that term ‘mainstream’? White people or those in the ‘hood?
I have no idea what the killer of this soldier looks like. After reading what I have in this string, I decided not to. I chose to read what is posted.
This whole thing about race has been shoved down our throats for decades. Anyone ever see the video MTV played over and over: Black in America? And then the recent dismissal of charges against Black Panthers for voter intimidation?
Get a new idea, friends: being critical of black criminals is NOT racism. Speaking against black politicians for political differences is NOT racial. And this string, drifting from the issue with some trying to be PC, dodges the matter of a military recruiter being killed by a leftist. The way I have seen this string go, it’s like a bait-and-switch. And we have lost the way here.
The issue isn’t race. It’s really how the MSM will spin this as another matter of dissent and racial politics. Then it will be buried.
That, friends, is what needs to be addressed. Not fear, or the idea, the killer was a ‘thug’. He’s nothing more than a murderer, someone who, by extrapolation, can be seen as supporting the political left.
Liam on June 1, 2009 at 3:29 PM
But what makes him look like a thug, Grafted?
baldilocks on June 1, 2009 at 3:29 PM
I think our idea of what a thug ought to look like is going to change. The more thuggery we see in politics, the less likely we are expect it to come in baggy pants and tats.
Dee2008 on June 1, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Give the thug thing a rest, please.
Daggett on June 1, 2009 at 3:30 PM
For what it is worth, I believe you. I winced a bit at your original statement because it could obviously be interpeted differently from what appeared to be your original intent. Hang in there. Folks are jumpy and irritable after yesterday.
a capella on June 1, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Exactly as I just described. You keep getting caught up on the race of the murderer, not me.
I’ll tell you what he looks like, a young male that just doesn’t seem to fit in with the radically abortion crowd. I don’t know what you want me to say (well, I do, but I won’t indulge you.) Do you want me to describe radical abortionists as rainbow-flag waving hippies? Code Pink type middle aged ladies? Whatever image comes to your mind about them, I don’t quite think the murderer in this story is it.
Grafted on June 1, 2009 at 3:32 PM
I need to understand his “life experiences” first… perhaps he’ll be a better judge of his own actions than I would.
mankai on June 1, 2009 at 3:32 PM
He looks like a thug to me, but anyway I hope the cops beat the hell out of him.
Dork B. on June 1, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Liam, you’re missing the point. It’s not about the word “thug” but about the word “looks”. It’s one thing to say the man IS a thug. On that I’d agree. The man likely killed a soldier.
But to say he LOOKS like one, based on nothing but his skin color, is racist. The man isn’t wearing baggy clothes. He doesn’t have any tattoos. His hair isn’t braided or shaved oddly. It’s just the normal very short look. His clothes are also normal.
Let’s be honest here. No one would have said he LOOKED like a thug if he was white.
And at that point, we probably won’t even be talking about people LOOKING like thugs, cause they’ll be harder to spot on sight. But that’s a different topic.
Esthier on June 1, 2009 at 3:33 PM
It should be rescinded regardless.
You succeeded in making Grow Fins look sane. Good work.
DarkCurrent on June 1, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Thank you. I will admit that looking back on my first comment I left myself wide open to be skewered, but if people see the history of my comments I don’t think I should be tossed in the racist category.
My follow-up comments should suffice if people want to calm down and be honest with themselves.
Grafted on June 1, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Those straws you’re grasping at are about 100 light years from your reach. We know what you meant. At least man up about it. Most of us wouldn’t care.
MadisonConservative on June 1, 2009 at 3:35 PM
‘Is’ and ‘looks like.’ Coresponding infinitive verbs: ‘to be’ and ‘to look like.’
The word ‘thug’ is not racist and to say that this is the argument is what’s known as “moving the goalposts.”
Saying that someone looks like a thug, requires that the thug dress/tats/hair/physical features/etc. be pointed if the alleged thug visual cues are not obvious to the average onlooker.
This isn’t rocket science.
baldilocks on June 1, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Forgive them baldi. I read a comment somewhere that black people voted for Clinton mostly because they thought he was a white guy who wouldn’t cross to the other side of the street to avoid passing a strange black man.
People who aren’t in the south and haven’t grown up with classmates, friends, team mates, and neighbors who are of all ethnic backgrounds have this mentality. They are afraid because they don’t know.
I’ve known some pretty mean-looking black guys to be super cool. . . guys I’d like to have in my corner at any time. Again, it was poorly worded. You appropriately called it out. . . but forgiveness is probably in order.
ThackerAgency on June 1, 2009 at 3:38 PM
So your answer is that it’s because he’s young? Is that really it? If he were older he wouldn’t look like thug?
And don’t pretend I’m out for some PC BS. I’m not. Call him a thug. That’s fine. But it’s ridiculous to say he looks like one as though all young men look like thugs.
Esthier on June 1, 2009 at 3:38 PM
I’m sure the family of the slain would be thrilled to know this discussion has taken this tack.
Somebody died too young today.
Somebody lost a child today.
And if the conscientious conservatives of the world are caught up in a PC debate, seriously I weep for our society.
beefytee on June 1, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Wow grafted, one would think this was Little Green Footballs.Quite a lot of “dinging” down by your fellow hot airians. Sharmuta is that you over there?
sandee on June 1, 2009 at 3:39 PM
I don’t have a dog in the hunt over whether whoever said he looked like a thug intended a racist remark. Don’t know, don’t care. I was just making a humorous comment in response to someone saying that he is dressed like any typical co-worker. Most co-workers are not seen wearing cuffs, unless you work in a license plate factory.
tommylotto on June 1, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Somehow I doubt most wouldn’t care if I ‘manned-up’ and told you what you wanted to hear.
I have explained myself more than I have needed to and have actually admitted that I unwisely worded my first comment. If people think I’m grasping at straws, then they’re the ones who have not bothered to follow simple lines of logic I put forth in my explanations.
Grafted on June 1, 2009 at 3:40 PM
So the thread topic is “What does a thug look like?”
He looks like a thug to me, though that is after the fact and I think every ahole caught after the crime looks like a thug.
Bishop on June 1, 2009 at 3:40 PM
He’s not asking for forgiveness. This is all be turned into some kind of PC argument when it was a bad post. It may not be indicative of the poster, but I don’t see why he’s trying to defend it so badly.
Esthier on June 1, 2009 at 3:40 PM
I’m sorry, but in Grafted’s defense, I don’t associate the word “thug” with “black.” To me, a thug is just someone who treats others roughly, often in a criminal manner. Is this one of those words that have been co-opted by some group to mean something else? Is it possible that you all are operating from different definitions of the word?
Dee2008 on June 1, 2009 at 3:41 PM
C’mon Grafted. Man up. You got busted…everybody knows what you meant. Cut the supercilious BS.
dakine on June 1, 2009 at 3:42 PM
It could also be a turn of speech. I think everyone is getting off track here.
Vashta.Nerada on June 1, 2009 at 3:42 PM
This has to be the most insane thread, evah.
Words? Just words?
A bunch of half-wits arguing about a freaking word.
I think it’s safe to clear HotAir from my favorites now.
reaganaut on June 1, 2009 at 3:42 PM
I have to agree with Dee on the meaning of Thug. I also don’t associate it with being black. I think it is just someone who is violent etc. Could have something to so with my age. I’m 60 and not particularly”hip” if you know what I mean.
sandee on June 1, 2009 at 3:43 PM
No respect. All this attention around the suspect instead of the completely innocent victim and his family. Seriously, wtf has gone on with this board?
beefytee on June 1, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Unfortunately I’m afraid I agree.
beefytee on June 1, 2009 at 3:45 PM
but I understand how baldi could be offended by the comments. The idea that ‘all black people look like thugs’ has been common in our society.
When someone says ‘he looks like a thug’ by looking like any average black person on the street. . . that can be offensive. Of COURSE what he did was thuggish. But doing something thuggish and looking like a thug are different.
He might not be asking for forgiveness, but baldi seems to need to offer it for her own peace of mind that the man isn’t racist, but chose his words poorly.
ThackerAgency on June 1, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Esthier, if I simply called him a thug, people would have the same reaction. What!? What makes him a thug? Is it because he is black!?
I will never backtrack on the fact that this guy is a thug, through and through.
We have all skewered Obama’s foolishness on this site, and only the true leftists are fooled into thinking it’s about his race. Why all of a sudden on my comment?
It is the people shying away from labeling this guy as a thug that disappoint me.
Grafted on June 1, 2009 at 3:45 PM
That’s Jesus’s purview. And not teleprompter Jesus, either.
Interesting that you say that. I have long contended that the modern-day white Southerner is more likely to see blacks as individuals for this very reason.
baldilocks on June 1, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Fair enough.
I don’t either, but you’re describing actions, not appearance. He was talking about appearances.
Esthier on June 1, 2009 at 3:46 PM
fyi, dakine is a commie troll.
faraway on June 1, 2009 at 3:47 PM
OT/ One soldier was killed and another wounded at a Little Rock Recruitment Center today.
Take a close look at the crime scene and compare it with the topic of this thread.
Loxodonta on June 1, 2009 at 3:47 PM
But our military should not be dealing with this from Americans. This person’s motive must be discovered. If this person had backers, they need to be outed. We need to understand who put him up to this and who put the idea in his head that murdering innocent military veterans was a good idea.
ThackerAgency on June 1, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Here’s a down ding for you.
baldilocks on June 1, 2009 at 3:47 PM
And the rest of his appearance wasn’t speaking “thug” to anyone else. Process of elimination.
MadisonConservative on June 1, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Well so am I but that’s completely beside the point.
Commie may be a bit strong actually.
beefytee on June 1, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Esthier on June 1, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Hi!
Ah, we’re on the same page, it seems. I have purposely not looked at a pic of the accused killer. He might well be a ‘thug’ but that isn’t the real matter. I dislike the idea of calling him something he might not be. No–in my book he’s just another leftist. Race, clothing, hair, et. al. aren’t germaine. Seeing those kinds of things posted here annoy me, because I prefer genuine political debate of an issue. If the accused looks like a thug, so what? My problem is one or two colleagues making that a point. The notion degenerates intelligent and mutually-respected discussion of an important topic. That’s basically what we’re here for.
“Thug”–couldn’t care less. KKK recruiter–couldn’t care less. Murderer of a soldier–care a whole lot.
By the same token, some have created an image, and when people create an image there are sometimes going to be generalizations. Things happen. It might not be right, but it might be thoughtful to maybe decide which needs to go: the generalization or the existence of the image.
Just an idea, for conversation’s sake.
Regards,
L:iam
Liam on June 1, 2009 at 3:48 PM
You have one life, let it be gay
Shouldn’t one do as one’s told to?
No, let the moment enfold you
Grab up every golden chance
Life is such romance
Give this world a sweeping glance
Let it set your soul a-dancing night and day!
Live, here’s to life, let us all be gay
Let go of each inhibition
No one need give you permission
What are you waiting for?
Vivez!
PercyB on June 1, 2009 at 3:49 PM
Well, I wouldn’t do that just yet. Good posters still here for the most part,..although, at times it seems like a race to a PC goal totally untelated to thread substance. Everyone has a hot button or two.
a capella on June 1, 2009 at 3:49 PM
Thanks baldilocks, it makes me feel like I’m back home at my beloved LGF having Charles delete me……
sandee on June 1, 2009 at 3:49 PM
FWIW, based on the witness interview:
http://cfc.katv.com/videoondemand.cfm?id=41664
one of the soldiers who was shot was African-American.
As I posted earlier, do not let Grow Fins dictate the conversation. So can we quit bickering over semantics and racially tinged statements and discuss what the post is actually about?
A US soldier was shot and another killed today in his own country.
darclon on June 1, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Okay, so dare I ask? IS there a reason for the knee-jerk “that was racist” response? IS this one of those words that has now become a racial epithet?
I’m being honest here–it’s a full time job trying to keep up with all the words that used to mean something, but now mean something else entirely.
Dee2008 on June 1, 2009 at 3:50 PM
beefytee is an advanced version of a troll – it’s self-aware.
faraway on June 1, 2009 at 3:50 PM
For the sake of peace (because we conservatives seek solutions,) I do apologize that I seemed to insinuate that the man is a thug because of his race.
I can never say that is what I actually think, because it is not. I will again refer to my subsequent posts as to what I meant, but I do regret that this thread was taken down some ugly roads.
I greatly respect many of the people that did take offense at my comment (Baldilocks, Esthier, etc.,) and again, I should have chosen different words.
I think that is all I need to say, as I have said more than enough already.
Grafted on June 1, 2009 at 3:51 PM
Exactly, and that should be offensive to all of us, not just Baldi.
Maybe so. That’s for her to decide.
I disagree. Many here have already accepted calling him a thug (assuming of course that he’s guilty).
And what bothers me are people who would look at him and call him one based on his looks. The man looks more like a soldier than a thug.
Esthier on June 1, 2009 at 3:51 PM
“In too-tao-sand one, beefytee became seelf aweeahh”
blatantblue on June 1, 2009 at 3:52 PM
Troll 2.0
beefytee on June 1, 2009 at 3:53 PM
And further fyi, faraway is a dimwitted tool.
dakine on June 1, 2009 at 3:53 PM
This is not my blog and I wouldn’t delete you if were. I might ban you or change your comment depending on how much you pissed me off, however.
On topic: my guess is that there is some specialized beef that this guy has with the military. Left, Muslim or perhaps he got the boot from one of the services. Rarely do random attack occur on military members stateside.
RIP for the one and prayers to get well soon for the other.
baldilocks on June 1, 2009 at 3:54 PM
I’m signing out now and I feel I better get back to the real story here..One of our soldiers was murdered today. Prayers for his family, and for the family of the injured soldier. God bless and keep them.
sandee on June 1, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Spot on analysis baldi.
dakine on June 1, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Sounds fair enough.
Not to me, and as I said, he the phrase been that the alleged murderer IS a thug, I wouldn’t have even thought about it. What bothered me was just that this man looks very normal to me. That’s really all.
If he’d even had one visible tattoo or if he’d been wearing a white tank top or a shirt with the sleeves ripped off, then I wouldn’t have said anything.
Appreciate it, sincerely.
Esthier on June 1, 2009 at 3:57 PM
In my mind’s eye, a thug is a bully. The thugs I’ve seen at work over the years have been very well educated, well dressed, and preen on PC to inflict their venom on those oblivious to the traps they set in society. The black shirts and brown shirts in Fascist Europe were very well dressed thugs.
Some people think that their life’s experience trumps all others. At least it applies to themselves and their corner of the universe.
Thug is from Hindi thag, literally thief. A thug is a ruffian and brute, and a synonym is gangster (merriam webster). Given the stereotypical Hollywood glamorized version of “gangster”, my mind’s eye envisions a very well to do, well dressed and groomed thug.
Perhaps a prick would pick a fight over “looks like”.
maverick muse on June 1, 2009 at 3:59 PM
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