The Rude Pundit: Man Who Shot Movie Theater Texter Is Using "Stand Your Ground" Defense ...

[cer7711]

72. Thank You for Remaining Calm! Truly.

During this discussion. You ask a very good, pertinent question.

I've been at pains during this discussion to state, over and over again, that what the retired police chief did was murder. His actions, at the trail end of this long series of events, was waaaaaay over the line and out of control: especially since, as both a former police officer and a concealed weapon carrier, he had a GREATER than average responsibility to behave correctly and keep his temper in check.

It goes back to my original posting: If the incident had ended at the popcorn-in-the-face, most of us--I hope!--would have told that middle-aged man: "Come on, pal! He objected to your texting and you continued. He looked for a manager to complain but couldn't find one. Let it go. It's not worth arguing further; certainly not worth committing assault (threatening action) and battery (striking with an object)."

This incident serves as a kind of personal and ideological prism, I think, by which we're all imagining ourselves in one or the other's shoes.

Truthfully? I see myself as that old man, kindly and patiently (I know! I don't know that--the retired police chief may have been a snarling a-hole from the get-go), asking someone to refrain from boorish behavior, only to be mocked and ignored. So I get up and look for help; can't find any. I return to the theater and am confronted by a man half my age who tries to physically and verbally intimidate me: "Did you go see a manager about this?" We argue; I'm hit in the face with popcorn. RAGE! Here's where the narrative differs: since I'm NOT carrying a gun, and regard myself, for the most part, as a reasonable--in fact, people-pleasing and conflict-avoidance type--I'd content myself with punching the SOB and seeing where it goes from there. And that's stone-cold truth: If you hit me in the face with anything, you're getting a fist in return. I bend over backward to see "the other guy's POV" but I am not a pacifist and I will not turn the other cheek if you strike me; I draw the line of tolerance at being hit.

But pulling out a gun and blasting someone?!

My god, no. No, no, no!

Do you remember the play Rashomon? An incident plays out before the audience, but then--as we view the same incident again from other's perspectives--we gain deeper insight into just what happened and why.

This incident will be hotly debated, here and elsewhere. I share 90% of the opinion the people I'm arguing with hold!

But I reserve 10% to disagree.

Thank you for arguing with me in a constructive, reasonable and well-reasoned manner.

We are NOT like the other side!!!

Be well! And have a great night.